Actress Hwang Jung-eum Faces Embezzlement Charges Over $3.2 Million in Corporate Funds
- Taein Lee
- Aug 31
- 1 min read
Updated: Sep 4
Aug 31, 2025
Taein Lee
South Korean actress Hwang Jung-eum, best known for her roles in popular dramas such as Kill Me, Heal Me and She Was Pretty, is facing trial on charges of embezzling funds from her own company. Prosecutors are expected to deliver their sentencing recommendation during the second hearing.
On August 21, the Jeju District Court’s 2nd Criminal Division (Judge Lim Jae-nam presiding) held the second trial for Hwang, who has been indicted under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. Since Hwang has already repaid the full amount following the first hearing, the court is likely to conclude arguments and move forward with the prosecution’s sentencing request.
Hwang is accused of misappropriating approximately $3.2 million (₩4.34 billion) in corporate funds by December 2022. This includes about $520,000 (₩700 million) she received as a temporary payment, which she then invested in cryptocurrency. The company involved is fully owned by Hwang, with her holding 100% of the shares.
During the first trial, she admitted all charges. Her legal representative stated, “She initially owed more than $740,000(₩1 billion), but has since liquidated personal assets to repay the full amount.” As a result, all financial issues between Hwang and her company have been settled.
Following the revelation of her embezzlement case, Hwang issued a public apology through her agency. She explained, “I wanted to grow the company and, around 2021, was persuaded by people around me to invest in cryptocurrency. Although the funds belonged to the company, I believed it was money earned through my own work, which led me to make an immature decision.”
