Nagsalita na ang Big Hit Music, ang talent management ng K-pop superstar na BTS, hinggil sa isyung pagpapautang ni Jimin ng milyones sa South Korean comedian na si Lee Jin Ho.
Nitong Lunes, October 14, 2024, pinag-usapan online ang naging pag-amin ni Lee Jin Ho tungkol sa pagkakalulong niya sa ilegal na sugal.
Read: Lars Pacheco urges responsible gambling after losing PHP5 million
Sa Instagram post ni Lee Jin Ho, ikinumpisal niya ang noo'y pagkaadik sa sugal kaya nabaon siya sa pagkakautang.
Mababasa sa post ng komedyante (ayon sa English translation ng Soompi.com): "Hello, I am Lee Jin Ho. I am writing to confess my shameful past, which resulted from my poor judgment.
"In 2020, I started playing games on an illegal online gambling site, leading to overwhelming debt. After receiving stern advice from friends and fearing I might lose the job I love, I finally realized the seriousness of the situation and was able to quit gambling. However, by that time, I had already sought financial help from many people.
"I am steadily repaying the money each month and plan to pay off this debt in full. While the financial loss is significant, I feel the deepest regret for those who trusted me and lent me money.
"Whenever I received a call from an unknown number, my heart raced, fearing it was related to my debt. Each day was a struggle against the anxiety of when this situation would become public.
"I thought that confessing everything and facing the consequences might free me from this anxiety. However, since I needed to work to repay my debt, I questioned whether that thought was simply my own greed, which prevented me from making a decision.
"I am deeply embarrassed and sorry. I sincerely regret the days I lost sight of my responsibilities as a public figure and tarnished my reputation with a moment of poor judgment. Even if I cannot become a good role model for others, I will work hard to avoid being someone who is criticized."
Read: Confessions of a recovering gambling addict
Nagkamali man, ipinangako ni Lee Jin Ho na haharapin niya ang lahat ng kanyang inutangan at unti-unti silang babayaran.
Aniya, "I promise to repay the remaining debt no matter what. I sincerely apologize to those I disappointed by causing a social controversy and trying to hide it.
"I will fully cooperate with the police investigation and accept the consequences of my actions."
Bagamat walang pangalang binanggit si Lee Jin Ho kung sinu-sino ang mga nagpautang sa kanya, sa ulat ng TenAsia ay pinangalanan nila ang mga kilalang personalidad na inutangan ng komedyante.
Kabilang sa na-verify nila ay ang BTS member na si Jimin, Korean singer na sina Young Tak, Wanna One member Ha Sung Woon, at kapwa comedian ni Lee Jin Ho na si Lee Soo Geun.
BTS JIMIN LENDS LEE JIN HO A MILLION WON
Ayon sa ulat ng TenAsia, tinatayang nasa 100 million won o katumbas ng PHP4.2 million ang napahiram ni Jimin kay Lee Jin Ho noon pang 2022. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ito nababayaran.
Ito'y kahit ipinangako raw noon ni Lee Jin Ho kay Jimin na ibabalik niya ang kanyang inutang makalipas ang isang linggo.
Nang walang maibayad, masinsinan daw kinausap ni Jimin si Lee Jin Ho at binigyan ito ng pangalawang pagkakataon para makapag-ipon at makapagbayad.
"Just pay me back within 10 years," saad daw noon ni Jimin kay Lee Jin Ho.
Bagay na hindi naman itinanggi ng Big Hit Music.
Sa inilabas nilang statement, sinabi ng Big Hit Music na kasalukuyang nakakaranas ng "financial damage" ang K-pop star dahil sa pagpapautang niya kay Lee Jin Ho.
Saad nila (base sa English translation ng Soompi.com), "Jimin indeed suffered financial damage. All he did was write a promissory note and lent it to Lee Jin Ho."
LEE Jin Ho's removal from different shows
Kaakibat ng kontrobersiyang kinakaharap ngayon ni Lee Jin Ho ay ang pagkakatanggal niya sa South Korean variety show na Knowing Bros.
Saad ng Knowing Bros sa isang statement: “Lee Jin Ho will leave the program starting with this week’s recording. We will edit out as much of his previously filmed content as possible.”
Bukod sa Knowing Bros, tinanggal na rin si Lee Jin Ho sa Netflix’s upcoming variety show na Comedy Revenge.
Noong 2005 nang mag-debut si Lee Jin Ho bilang comedian-entertainer. Ito ay nang mapasama siya sa SBS' Find Your Lover.