Actress Lim Sung-eun has caused a shock in the entertainment industry as she became embroiled in her husband's 20 billion won fraud allegations just nine days after their marriage. This serves as yet another example of the seriousness of the 'husband risk,' with several female celebrities like Yoon Jung-hee, Park Han-byeol, and Sung Yu-ri recently facing significant setbacks in their careers due to controversies surrounding their husbands. It evokes sympathy, as the career and image built on public affection are dealt a fatal blow in an instant due to their spouse's issues.
Lim Sung-eun held her wedding with non-celebrity businessman A on the 17th. However, just nine days later, on the 26th, shocking reports emerged that A is under investigation and trial for fraud related to a 20 billion won local housing cooperative (land housing). It was revealed that A has a criminal history of fraud on multiple occasions.
According to reports, A is suspected of gathering hundreds of millions of won from thousands of cooperative members and paying it to a company under the name of an acquaintance, with damages assessed at over 20 billion won. Furthermore, it is known that before the marriage, A made comments to creditors such as, "I am marrying to avoid being arrested," and, "(Lim) Sung-eun buys a nice house. Please wait a little longer." Notably, A is currently under a departure ban, and claims have arisen that the couple went on their honeymoon to Jeju Island.
This controversy has also extended to Lim Sung-eun's social media, where comments expressing grievances, such as "Was it nice to drive a Bentley with someone else's money?" have flooded in.
In response, Lim Sung-eun's legal representative stated that the reports are not true. Lim Sung-eun's team plans to take strong legal action, including suing creditors and reporters for defamation, but the suspicions surrounding her husband that erupted from the start of their marriage have dealt a fatal blow to her acting career.
Not only Lim Sung-eun, but numerous actresses are also suffering difficulties due to suspensions of activity or impacts from such controversies. Park Han-byeol and Sung Yu-ri are notable examples.
Park Han-byeol had to suspend her activities after it was revealed that her husband, Yoo In-seok, former CEO of Yuri Holdings, was involved in the 'Burning Sun Gate' and was a member of the chat room involving Jung Joon-young's hidden camera scandal. She claimed that she was unrelated to her husband's troubles, but later, evidence emerged that she played golf with those involved in the 'Burning Sun Gate,' leading to criticism. Demands for her to withdraw from drama filming flooded in, and she is currently operating a café after relocating to Jeju Island.
Sung Yu-ri is also a prominent celebrity who has suffered a fatal blow due to the 'husband risk.' Her husband, former professional golfer Ahn Sung-hyun, has been embroiled in controversy, including allegations of dozens of millions of won in cryptocurrency fraud and embezzlement. Due to her husband's issues, Sung Yu-ri has not engaged in any significant activities after the end of the variety show in which she was appearing, and her re-contracting with her agency also fell through. Additionally, the revelation that the cosmetics enterprise she co-represented in the past received investments related to her husband's friends further tarnished her image.
Those who have built a positive and clean image over a long period are experiencing a 'fatal blow,' losing their favorable and pristine image they accumulated in the public eye in an instant due to their husbands. Legal issues or moral controversies involving their husbands, regardless of how an actress claims to be unrelated or legally considered a victim, lead to damage to public trust and result in limitations in their activities, particularly in advertising. As it is difficult to separate an actress's private life and image in the public eye, the 'husband risk' casts a deep shadow over the careers of female celebrities.
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