Han So-hee's Mother Arrested for Operating Illegal Gambling Dens... Actor's Image at Risk

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On the 2nd of this month, actress Han So-hee’s mother, a woman in her 50s surnamed Shin, was arrested on charges of operating illegal gambling dens.
This situation has put Han So-hee in an uncomfortable position as she becomes embroiled in the controversy.

According to the prosecution, Shin has been accused of running 12 illegal gambling operations in Ulsan, Wonju, and other areas from 2021 until late August this year, using frontmen as figureheads.
The controversy has intensified as Shin has a previous conviction for similar offenses, having received a fine in the past.

In response to the news, Han So-hee’s agency, 9ato Entertainment, quickly issued a statement.

The agency stated, "The matters concerning Han So-hee’s mother are purely personal, and Han So-hee herself only learned about the incident through the news, feeling deeply troubled." The agency emphasized that "this incident is entirely the result of the mother's independent actions and is unrelated to the actress."

However, the resurfacing of past controversies involving Han So-hee’s mother has further complicated the situation for the actress.

In 2020, there were allegations that Shin had disappeared with money collected from a savings club, and in March 2022, she was accused of borrowing 85 million KRW from an acquaintance and failing to repay it.

In particular, the 2022 incident also implicated Han So-hee, as it was reported that part of the borrowed money was deposited into an account under her name, leading to accusations against her under the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.

The agency explained, "Shin opened and used the account without Han So-hee's knowledge while she was a minor."

Han So-hee previously revealed in an interview that she was raised by her grandmother after her parents divorced during her childhood.

The agency has also stated that Han So-hee is estranged from her mother, but the ongoing controversies involving her mother are inevitably affecting the actress's public image.

Entertainment industry insiders have expressed concern over the impact this incident could have on Han So-hee’s acting career.

One insider remarked, "It’s unfortunate when a public figure is affected by a family member’s issues. Given the nature of the profession, which is highly sensitive to public opinion, this could influence her future activities."

Meanwhile, legal experts are taking a cautious approach regarding Han So-hee's potential legal responsibilities related to this case.
A lawyer commented, "There currently appears to be no evidence linking Han So-hee to her mother's illegal activities, but further investigation may be required regarding past financial transactions."

Given the current situation, Han So-hee is expected to proceed with caution in the coming period.

The agency stated, "Han So-hee is emotionally struggling at the moment, and we are carefully discussing her future activities."

Fans and the public are closely watching Han So-hee’s next moves. Many recognize that this incident is not her fault, yet there is significant interest in how she will navigate and overcome this difficult situation. The focus is now on how Han So-hee will handle this crisis and continue her career as an actress.