The mother of South Korean actress Han So-hee, identified by the surname Shin, has been arrested for operating an extensive illegal gambling network across multiple locations in South Korea.   

According to local reports, Shin, who is in her 50s, managed 12 illegal gambling houses from 2021 until late August, with establishments located in cities such as Ulsan and Wonju in Gangwon Province. Authorities are currently investigating the extent of the profits generated from these illegal activities, which involved setting up gambling dens in internet cafes under another individual’s name.  

Previous allegations and financial troubles  

This recent arrest is not the first time Shin has been embroiled in controversy. In 2020, Shin was accused of defrauding a savings club by absconding with the members’ money. At that time, Han revealed that she had been estranged from her mother, having been raised by her maternal grandmother since her parents’ divorce.    In a blog post, Han said that she became aware of her estranged mother’s debts only after turning 20 and had tried to settle them out of a sense of duty. She later expressed regret, acknowledging that her attempt to resolve the debts had inadvertently led to further issues. However, Shin continued to engage in fraudulent activities, including taking out loans under Han’s name without her knowledge.  

Han’s agency response  

Han, known for her roles in popular dramas such as “The World of the Married” and “Nevertheless,” has expressed deep distress over the news of her mother’s arrest. Her agency, 9ato Entertainment, issued a statement emphasising that Shin’s actions are entirely independent and unrelated to the actress.    The agency highlighted that Han learned about her mother’s arrest through news reports and has been left devastated by the situation. The statement also reiterated that Han has no intention of repaying her mother’s debts, aiming to prevent further exploitation of her name for financial gain.   

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