Lee Seung-gi cuts ties with wife Lee Da-in’s family amid legal scandal: 'Trust has been broken’

On April 29, actor and singer Lee Seung-gi released a statement announcing that he and his wife, actress Lee Da In, have made the difficult decision to sever ties with her family. The announcement comes in the wake of renewed legal troubles surrounding Lee Da-in’s father, Lee Hong Heon, who has once again been indicted for stock manipulation.

In his statement, Seung-gi expressed deep disappointment over the situation, acknowledging that trust within the family has been irreparably damaged. He wrote:

“Although my father-in-law was previously sentenced to a fine in the retrial regarding the ongoing allegations of illegal activities, he has recently been indicted again... I am devastated and at a loss for words over my father-in-law’s wrongful actions.”

He also issued a personal apology, admitting that he had previously spoken without fully understanding the extent of his father-in-law’s legal issues. “I deeply regret having spoken carelessly last year without thoroughly reviewing the matters,” he said, adding, “I firmly believe that any illegal acts must be met with appropriate punishment.”

He continued, “After much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to sever ties with her family. From now on, I will strive to uphold the right values and live with a sense of responsibility for a healthier society.”

Seung-gi married Lee Da-in, the second daughter of actress Kyeon Mi Ri, in April 2023. Since then, public attention has often been drawn to Lee Dain’s family background—particularly her father, Lee Hong Heon, who has been embroiled in financial controversy for years.

In 2016, Lee Hong Heon was accused of illicitly profiting tens of billions of won through stock price manipulation of a company called COREBEAT. At the time, he allegedly inflated the stock’s value by releasing false information, including claims of investment from a Hong Kong-based capital firm.

Though initially sentenced to four years in prison and fined 2.5 billion won (approximately $1.7 million USD) in 2018, he was acquitted on appeal. However, in 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the acquittal and sent the case back for retrial, ultimately ruling him guilty.

Adding to the family’s financial entanglements, Lee Seung Gi’s mother-in-law and Lee Da In’s mother, Kyeon Mi Ri, was also reported to be a major shareholder in COREBEAT.

On April 29—the same day as Seung-gi’s statement—reports emerged that Lee Hong Heon had been arrested again, this time for allegedly manipulating the stock prices of a renewable energy company called Quantapia.