Lee Seung Gi has recently come under fire for his public statement regarding his father-in-law’s involvement in a stock manipulation scandal. On April 12, 2023, the actor-singer took to Instagram to defend his parents-in-law, Lee Hong Heon and Kyeon Mi Ri, asserting their innocence in the 2016 BotaBio stock manipulation case. He also mentioned that his in-laws have filed a complaint with the Media Arbitration Committee against five South Korean media outlets for spreading misinformation.
Lee Seung Gi and actress Lee Da In are set to marry, but their relationship has been anything but smooth. On February 7, Lee Seung Gi announced their engagement through a heartfelt handwritten letter on Instagram, calling it the most important decision of his life. He expressed his love for Lee Da In and asked fans to support their new journey together.
However, the announcement was met with mixed reactions from fans. Many were not pleased, not because of the relationship itself, but due to Lee Da In’s family’s controversial history. Lee Seung Gi and Lee Da In began dating three years ago, bonding over their shared interest in golf. Despite their growing affection, fans have voiced their concerns, particularly about Lee Da In’s stepfather, Lee Hong Heon.
Lee Hong Heon has a notorious past, having been charged with stock manipulation and insider trading on two separate occasions. In both 2011 and 2016, he was arrested for manipulating KOSDAQ’s stock prices, using his wife’s name and status to attract investors. This led to significant financial gains for him but caused substantial losses for other stockholders. Reports suggest that his actions resulted in profits of ₩2.30 billion KRW (about $2.06 million USD) in 2016 alone.
An anonymous netizen claimed that Lee Hong Heon’s stock manipulation had devastating effects on many families, including their own relative, who faced bankruptcy. The netizen criticized Lee Hong Heon and Kyeon Mi Ri for not publicly apologizing to the victims and instead filing lawsuits against them.
Fans have expressed their disappointment in Lee Seung Gi’s decision to marry into a family with such a controversial background. Some even went to the extent of renting a truck with a protest sign, which was parked in Lee Seung Gi’s residential neighborhood. The sign accused Lee Da In’s family of creating too many victims and urged Lee Seung Gi to reconsider his decision.
Despite the backlash, Lee Seung Gi has remained steadfast in his relationship with Lee Da In. His official fandom released a letter expressing their support for his decision, hoping that fans would eventually understand his sincerity. However, the irony of Lee Seung Gi’s situation has not been lost on netizens. In 2022, he discovered that his company, HOOK Entertainment, had been withholding accurate payments and accounting from him for 18 years. He filed a lawsuit against the company’s CEO and directors for embezzlement and fraud.
Given his own experience with being scammed, many find it ironic that he is now marrying into a family with a history of financial scandals. Some fans have chosen to trust and support Lee Seung Gi, believing that he knows what is best for him. They hope that his marriage to Lee Da In will bring him happiness, despite the controversies surrounding her family.
Rumors have also circulated that the couple is marrying due to a premarital pregnancy. However, Lee Seung Gi’s representative has denied these claims, stating that there is no premarital pregnancy.
The controversy surrounding Lee Seung Gi’s father-in-law has undoubtedly cast a shadow over his upcoming marriage. While some fans continue to support him, others remain skeptical, questioning his decision to marry into a family with such a troubled past. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Lee Seung Gi and Lee Da In will navigate the challenges ahead.
