Kim Seung-woo denies theft allegations amid dispute over financial support

Actor Kim Seung-woo is facing theft charges following an October 2021 incident in Cheongdam-dong, though his legal team claims he provided 26 million won in living expenses to the accuser's family over 13 months.

The legal battle surrounding actor Kim Seung-woo has taken a new turn as his side claims he provided living expenses to the accuser's family for over a year, following allegations that he took 22 million won in cash from an acquaintance.

The incident dates back to a gathering at an entertainment establishment in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, in October 2021. The accuser, identified as A, filed a police report in July on charges of theft, claiming that Kim took 22 million won in cash from A's wallet and gave it to an employee of the establishment as a tip.

While Kim Seung-woo's side does not deny taking the cash, they have refuted the intent to steal. His legal representative explained that the gathering consisted of close acquaintances and that the action in question was performed jokingly in front of several people. They maintained there was no criminal intent to illegally acquire another's property, as there was an intention to return the money from the beginning.

The process of returning the money is also a point of contention. Kim's side claims they attempted to meet A the following day to return the cash, but due to scheduling conflicts, the money was returned via bank transfer. Specifically, they explained that the subsequent transfer of 30 million won included the original 22 million won plus additional amounts to cover drinking expenses and an apology.

However, A's side interprets the nature of that transfer differently. They claim the 30 million won sent by Kim was actually profit to be paid out in relation to a previous drama investment worth 300 million won. They argue the transfer was a separate financial transaction stemming from an investment relationship, rather than a repayment to resolve the cash issue from the gathering.

Regarding the controversy, Kim's side also disclosed that they provided long-term economic support to the accuser's family. They stated that after learning A was imprisoned in early 2025, they transferred 2 million won every month to help the family's livelihood. This support continued for approximately 13 months until February 2026, totaling 26 million won. Kim's side explained the support was intended to help the family of an acquaintance in a difficult situation based on their long-standing friendship.

The controversy reportedly continued after the support was discontinued. Kim's side claims they received additional requests for financial support from individuals related to A, after which a notice of contents was delivered and criminal charges were filed. They suggested that the relationship of providing long-term living expenses led to a legal dispute once the economic support ceased. However, it has not been clearly confirmed whether the cessation of living expenses was the actual cause of the complaint or if there were additional conflicts or settlements between the two parties.

The case is expanding beyond a simple matter of cash usage at a social gathering into a complex dispute involving financial transactions between acquaintances, investment agreements, and long-term economic support. The reality of the case may shift depending on the relationship between the circumstances of the 22 million won cash usage, the purpose of the 30 million won transfer, and the nature of the 26 million won provided to the family.

Kim's side has announced they will take legal action against claims they say are untrue. Meanwhile, A is raising issues regarding the use of the cash without consent. As the claims of both sides are sharply divided, it is difficult to conclude the case based on only one side's explanation.

With the police investigation ongoing, key factors for determining the facts include the circumstances of the cash usage, whether it was returned, the actual purpose of the 30 million won transfer, and the background of the long-term living expense support. Attention is focused on what conclusion the investigation will reach regarding this controversy, which began as a financial matter between long-time acquaintances and escalated into a criminal case years later.

Read the original (Korean)