Mother of Famous South Korean Actress Accused of Illegal Gambling

The mother of a famous South Korean actor was recently arrested over allegations of running illegal gambling businesses. The case involves the mother of Han So-hee, a recognizable actress who started her career about a decade ago with a supporting character role in the TV series Money Flower in 2017.

The next year, So-hee’s career continued with appearances on 100 Days My Prince and the Abyss. In 2020, So-hee moved up the ladder with lead roles in The World of the Married, followed by Nevertheless and My Name in 2021.

Local media outlets confirmed this week that So-hee’s mother, identified with the surname Shin, was arrested and charged by law enforcement. Allegations against the celebrity’s 50-year-old mother claim she was in charge of operating a dozen illegal gambling houses.

Allegedly, Shin ran a total of 12 gambling houses around Ulsan and Wonju in Gangwon. It is suspected that the 50-year-old woman started the illegal gambling operation back in 2021 and was in charge of running the venues through last month.

The reports did not confirm what games were offered at the illegal gambling establishments or what sum was involved in the process. Regardless of what the sum is, South Korea currently has tough laws when it comes to gambling activities.

For the most part, gambling is illegal for South Korean citizens, with the exception of some lottery-style games and government-licensed casinos. Still, most South Korean casinos only allow foreigners to play.

In cases of illegal gambling, residents found guilty may be subject to tough penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and/or fines of up to 30 million won ($22,500). If a person is found guilty of illegal gambling as a repeat offense, they may face even more prison time or tougher fines.

The Actor Wasn’t Aware of Her Mother’s Unlawful Actions

The latest case isn’t the first time So-hee’s mother has seen scrutiny in recent years. Shin faced accusations of fraud back in 2020, as well as further legal troubles in 2022.

The agency representing So-hee, 9Ato Entertainment, quoted by Korea JoongAng Daily, revealed that the famous actor wasn’t aware of her mother’s most recent alleged criminal activities. The agency deemed the latest news as an “extremely personal matter” and explained that So-hee felt devastated after learning about the accusations from media outlets.

“We would like to reiterate that this incident is entirely the arbitrary action of the mother, and has nothing to do with the actor,” 9Ato Entertainment explained.