Lee Byung-hun

Lee Byung-hun and BH Entertainment underwent a special tax audit in September 2022. In February 2023, the agency confirmed that an additional tax assessment had been imposed; several media outlets reported an amount of approximately 100 million won.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Two women attempted to blackmail Lee by threatening to release a video of a sexually suggestive private conversation. They were convicted. Lee, who was married at the time, nevertheless faced considerable controversy over the nature of his communications and meetings with them, and publicly apologised to his family and fans.

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

In December 2009, a former partner of Lee Byung-hun, a Korean-Canadian gymnast identified as Kwon, sought 100 million won in damages, alleging that he had lured her to Korea and into a sexual relationship through a promise of marriage that he had failed to honour. The case triggered a media confrontation and several cross-proceedings.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following the breakdown of his relationship with his former partner, Lee was also reported to the authorities for illegal gambling abroad. In March 2010, prosecutors closed this aspect of the case, stating that there was insufficient evidence to establish an illegal gambling offence.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Directly implicated

In March 2010, former baseball player and presenter Kang Byung-kyu filed a defamation complaint against Lee, alleging that Lee had falsely portrayed him as one of the instigators of blackmail connected to the dispute with his former partner. Seoul prosecutors closed the complaint in June 2010 for lack of specific evidence establishing defamation.

Attribution

Directly implicated