After 4.3 billion KRW (about $3.3 million) embezzlement scandal, Hwang Jung Eum edited out of ‘Because I’m Solo’ final episode

Actor Hwang Jung Eum, who has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of embezzling approximately 4.3 billion KRW (about $3.3 million) in company funds, is set to be edited out of the final episode of the variety show 'Because I’m Solo.'

According to a report from Star News on the 16th, producers of SBS Plus E Channel’s entertainment program 'Because I’m Solo' have decided to minimize Hwang Jung Eum’s appearance in the last episode. With the show scheduled to end on the 20th and only one episode remaining, the production team chose to reduce her screen time in light of the seriousness of the allegations.

Originally, Hwang Jung Eum was only scheduled to appear as a studio MC without any pre-recorded (VCR) segments in the finale. The VCR portion will feature actresses Park Eun Hye and Ye Ji Won sharing their daily lives as “solo sisters.”

Hwang Jung Eum had been co-hosting alongside Shin Dong Yup throughout the season, engaging with viewers as a studio MC. 'Because I’m Solo' is an observational reality program that captures the authentic daily lives of charming single women who find happiness despite being solo. Since the show resumed airing on March 4, Hwang Jung Eum attracted attention not only as an MC but also by revealing parts of her own solo life as one of the “solo sisters.”

However, on the 15th, allegations surfaced that Hwang Jung Eum embezzled 4.3 billion KRW (about $3.3 million) from a private company she owns, raising questions about the appropriateness of her continued appearance on the show. Although the final episode had already been filmed, the production team plans to heavily edit her screen time during post-production.

Hwang Jung Eum was charged without detention for embezzling approximately 4.34 billion KRW (about $3.3 million) by the end of 2022. This included 700 million KRW (about $499,596) she had taken as an advance from a loan obtained by her agency, which she invested in cryptocurrency. Reports show that about 4.2 billion KRW (about $3.002 million) of the embezzled funds were invested in crypto assets.

The victim company is a family-owned corporation wholly owned by Hwang Jung Eum, commonly known as a “one-person corporation” often established by celebrities. It is unrelated to her current agency, Y·ONE Entertainment. Hwang Jung Eum reportedly admitted to the charges during her first trial.

On the 15th, through her agency, Hwang Jung Eum issued a statement saying, “I sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people due to this regrettable matter. Around 2021, encouraged by people around me, I entered cryptocurrency investment to try to grow company funds despite my limited knowledge. Though the money was company funds, it was income generated from my activities, and I made an immature judgment.”

She added, “To correct the improper transactions with the company, I am currently with another agency and working to fully resolve all dealings with the company. I have repaid a large portion of the funds withdrawn in advance by selling personal assets and am proceeding with settling the remaining balance. I apologize again and will take full responsibility as needed.”