Shinhwa‘s Lee Minwoo is suspected of being the idol who was gaslighted out of ₩2.60 billion KRW (about $1.92 million USD).
Lee Minwoo
On April 10, it was reported that a “B” was sentenced to 9 years in prison for gaslighting a former idol out of ₩2.60 billion KRW (about $1.92 million USD). According to reports, the idol fell victim while he was being accused of molesting two women; the idol has since been found innocent.
The reports state that during the idol’s molestation case, one of his acquaintances (B) had told him that he knew prosecutors and offered to bribe them on the idol’s behalf. The idol reportedly gave a large sum of money to “B,” money that the acquaintance would pocket for himself.
Unrelated Korean court for illustrative purposes | Scourt.go.kr
Court documents reveal that “B” did not know any prosecutors and that he had kept the money for himself. Reports state that after the idol was found innocent in court (without the help of a bribe), “B” gaslighted the idol again, saying prosecutors were planning on fighting the judgement if the idol didn’t give more money. To this, the idol reportedly took out a loan against his home and gave the money to “B.”
As news of the idol’s plight went viral, Shinhwa member Lee Minwoo’s previous appearance on a talk show resurfaced. During the episode, Lee Minwoo told a similar story of how he had been gaslighted during his darkest hour.
An acquaintance approached me with the intent to steal my money. They had bad intentions and stole all the money that I had made. The person was someone I knew well and who also knew my sister. This happened during a hard time when I wanted to hide. I couldn’t help but trust them because when everyone had left me, they held my hand.
— Lee Minwoo
Meanwhile, “B” was sentenced to 9 years in prison and was ordered to repay ₩2.60 billion KRW (about $1.92 million USD) in restitution.
