By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Six Korean celebrities are being
investigated by authorities for illegal online gambling.
Comedians Lee Soo-geun and Yang
Se-hyung, actor Tak Jae-hoon and, singer Tony Ahn, entertainer Boom and Andy of
boy band Shinhwa were summoned by the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s
Office on suspicion of betting on illegal online gambling.
 |
| Clockwise from top left) Lee Soo-geun, Andy, Boom, Tak Jae-hoon, Tony Ahn and Yang Se-hyung. (Photos by www.newsen.com) |
Lee Soo-geun has admitted the
allegations, according to his agency, SM C&C. As such, he will be leaving
his TV show “1 Night, 2 Days” after six years. He has been on the program since
it started in 2007.
The agency said Lee Soo-geun will be
stepping down from the program to reflect.
According to the prosecution, the
celebrities are suspected of spending money on online sports betting sites.
Tony Ahn is a former member of boy band
H.O.T. Just days before the illegal gambling issue became public, it was
announced that Tony Ahn and Girls’ Day member Hyeri broke up after eight months
of relationship.
Boom is the host of “Let’s Go Dream
Team! Season 2.”
Andy is a member of boy band Shinhwa,
which debuted in the music scene in 1998.
These celebrities join a list of Korean
stars who have been involved in the issue of illegal gambling.
TV host Kim Yong-man was sentenced to
eight months in prison and two years of probation for illegal gambling last
June.
He was charged with betting about 1
billion won (about P40 million) on illegal sports gambling sites for five years
since 2008.
Entertainer Shin Jung Hwan was charged
for gambling in Cebu City in 2010. He went into hiding and surfaced months
later. He lost his TV shows and has not appeared on TV since then.
TV host Kang Byung-hun was convicted after
he bet about $1.1 million won on a Philippine website.
In 2009, Shin Hye Sung, also a member
of Shinhwa, was fined for gambling in Macau.
Link to my original article on
Manila Bulletin online http://www.mb.com.ph/korean-celebs-probed-for-illegal-online-gambling/
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