Actor Han So-hee admits her mother took loan in her name, but won't repay debt

Actor Han So-hee [9ATO ENTERTAINMENT]

Actor Han So-hee admitted to allegations that her mother took a loan with a bank account under Han’s name, but has “no plans to take responsibility for her mother’s debt,” her agency 9Ato Entertainment said on Monday.

Recently, a YouTube channel alleged that Han’s mother is facing charges of fraud after she borrowed 85 million won ($69,260) from an acquaintance and is not paying it back. The YouTuber also alleged that a bank account under Han’s name was used in the process, and that as a result, Han has also been sued for violating the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.

On Monday, Han’s agency issued a statement that it does not know exact details because the situation is related to Han’s personal life, but did acknowledge that a bank account in Han’s name was used in the alleged fraud case.

“[Han’s] mother Shin used a bank account in Han’s name in the process of borrowing money,” the agency said. “The bank account was opened arbitrarily by Shin when Han was a minor. She used it to take out loans without Han’s knowledge.”

The agency added that Han expressed she has no plans to pay back her mother’s debts.

“This is to stop [Han’s mother from] using her daughter’s name to borrow money and misusing the fact that her daughter is a famous celebrity for money,” it said.

According to the agency, Han has been through several similar incidents, and civil suits have determined that Han did not share responsibility for her mother’s debt as Han was not responsible. A similar accusation was publicized in 2020.

“We apologize to people who have been damaged [by this incident],” the agency said. “Through our firm stand, we hope nothing like this happens again.”

Han debuted in 2017 and rose to stardom through the JTBC series “The World of the Married” (2020). She went on to star in JTBC’s “Nevertheless” (2021) and Netflix’s “My Name” (2021). Disney+ original “Soundtrack #1,” starring Han and actor Park Hyung-sik, is slated to premier on March 23.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]