Actor Kim Seung-woo accused of stealing 22 million won

Actor Kim Seung-woo faces theft charges after an acquaintance filed a complaint at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station this past July regarding an incident in October 2021. While the accuser claims 22 million won was taken from his wallet, Kim's side maintains the money was hidden as a prank and subsequently returned.

Actor Kim Seung-woo has become the center of controversy after being accused of taking approximately 22 million won in cash from an acquaintance during a drinking session about five years ago. While the accuser claims the money was taken secretly and never returned, Kim's side has countered that the money was hidden as a prank during the gathering and subsequently returned, even claiming that more than the original amount was repaid. With both sides presenting conflicting arguments regarding the nature of the money and whether it was returned, the truth of the matter is expected to be determined through a police investigation.

According to media reports on the 12th, an acquaintance of Kim Seung-woo, referred to as A, filed a complaint against Kim for theft at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station this past July. A claims the incident occurred in October 2021 at an entertainment establishment in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul. At the time, A alleges that Kim secretly took 22 million won in cash from his wallet during a gathering.

A is an investor in the drama 'The Driver', directed by Kim Seung-woo, and was reportedly present at the gathering involving the production crew and actors. According to A's claim, Kim took the money from his wallet while he was briefly away from the seat, and although he later demanded its return, the money was not given back. Legal action was taken a significant amount of time after the incident occurred.

A, who is currently serving time for a different case, was reportedly questioned by the police in the prison this past August. As the complaint was filed nearly five years after the incident, and because the memories of the parties involved and financial transaction records have emerged as key issues, confirming the specific facts surrounding the situation at the time is expected to be the crux of the investigation.

Kim Seung-woo's side has flatly denied the theft charges, stating that the accuser's claims are untrue. Kim's legal representative told Ilyo Shinmun, "It was hidden playfully in a place with many people and then returned," adding, "The full amount, even more than that money, has been repaid." Contrary to the accuser's claim that the money was simply taken and not returned, the explanation is that the act was a prank during a drinking session and the financial damage has already been resolved.

Kim's side emphasized that they have maintained a friendship with A even after the incident. They claimed that after A was imprisoned, they even provided living expenses to his family. Based on this, they are raising the possibility that the accuser's claims differ from the actual situation or stem from errors in memory. However, whether the relationship or support provided after the incident directly proves the return of the cash at the time remains a matter that must be separately verified.

The point where the positions of both sides sharply diverge is not only the return of the money but also the nature of the remittance records. Kim's side claims that the money has already been returned based on bank transfer records related to A. Conversely, A countered that the remittances were unrelated to the 22 million won in question, claiming they were for past investment funds, agreed profits, or separate monetary transactions between individuals. As both sides offer different interpretations of the same financial records, a process of specifically comparing the timing, amount, and purpose of the transactions will be necessary.

According to reports, the two sides had been in conflict, exchanging contents-certified mail before the formal complaint was filed. After A submitted the complaint to the police, the case moved into criminal proceedings. The Seoul Gangnam Police Station stated that it is investigating the case but remained silent regarding specific progress or future procedures.

This case is drawing attention as a theft allegation made against a famous actor, but as of now, Kim Seung-woo's charges have not been confirmed as fact. With the accuser's claims and the defendant's rebuttal in direct conflict, it is difficult to conclude the reality of the case based on only one side's position. The core issues remain what actually happened during the drinking session in 2021, whether the 22 million won was returned, and what the nature of the subsequent remittances was.

As a final decision from investigative authorities has not been made, Kim Seung-woo's theft charge remains at the stage of suspicion. With a financial dispute resurfacing after a long time expanding into a criminal case, attention is focused on how the statements and financial data secured by the police will organize the claims of both sides.

As of last year, the market value of the house in Samseong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, where the couple Kim Seung-woo and Kim Nam-joo live, is known to be 17 billion won.

Read the original (Korean)