SOUTH Korean actress Park Min-young, who played the female lead role in the hit romantic-comedy series What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), was reportedly prohibited from departing the country after her alleged involvement in an embezzlement scandal.
The 36-year-old actress had a relationship with Kang Jong-hyun, a businessman and former de-facto owner of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Bithumb. Kang is currently facing embezzlement charges, fraudulent transactions and dereliction of duty.
According to local reports, it appears that Kang used the actress’ name to facilitate several illegal transactions.
Agency defends actress
However, Park’s agency vehemently denied the accusation, saying that the actress did not receive any monetary support or compensation from her ex-boyfriend.
Hook Entertainment also dismissed reports that Park was prohibited from leaving the country in connection with the investigation involving Kang.
It said the actress had provided full cooperation in the conduct of the investigation done by local police.
“Park Min-young has committed herself to the investigation sincerely as a witness on Monday, and we would like to make sure that she is not subject to travel ban orders,” the company said, in a press release, as per a Soompi report.
The 41-year-old Kang was arrested on February 2 over embezzlement and stock market manipulation allegations.
Park and her agency confirmed the actress’ romantic involvement with Kang in September 2021. However, two days after the dating news broke out, Hook Entertainment released another statement that the couple have parted ways and that Park did not receive or accept monetary benefits from the businessman.
Since Kang’s embezzlement scandal hit the news, allegations regarding Park’s involvement in the case have prospered due to the alleged close links between Park’s family members and Kang.
Although her agency consistently denied the claims against the actress, it has been reported that Park’s sister had been listed on the board of executives of a company owned by Kang’s sister. However, Park’s sister stepped down immediately after their break up announcement.
Park’s famous roles
Park Min-young gained international fame after the release of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim in 2018, where she starred with Korean actor Park Seo-joon.
She currently plays the lead role in another on-going romantic drama called Marry My Husband.
Her previous projects include Love in Contract and Forecasting Love and Weather.
Photo courtesy: What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim | Netflix/tvN
