Veteran Korean actor Kim Seung Woo has become embroiled in a legal controversy after being accused of stealing ₩22.0 million KRW (about $16,400 USD) from an acquaintance at an adult entertainment establishment.
The actor has acknowledged taking the money as a prank but firmly denied committing theft, insisting that he returned more than the amount involved. However, the complainant disputes that explanation, alleging that the money was never returned and that the financial transactions cited by Kim Seung Woo were unrelated to the incident.
Police have confirmed that the case remains under investigation. According to a November 12 report by Korean outlet Ilyo Shinmun, an individual identified as A filed a criminal complaint against Kim Seung Woo with Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station around July.
A, who is currently serving a prison sentence at Gwangju Prison for financial crimes, claimed that the alleged theft occurred in October 2021. The complainant identified himself as an investor in The Driver, a drama directed by Kim Seung Woo. According to the complaint, the two attended a gathering at an adult entertainment establishment in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, alongside members of the drama’s production team and other acquaintances.
A alleged that he briefly left his bag unattended inside a private room. During his absence, he claimed, Kim Seung Woo secretly removed ₩22.0 million KRW (about $16,400 USD) from his wallet. The complainant further alleged that this was not the first time the actor had taken money from his wallet without permission.
A claimed that he first met Kim Seung Woo around 2019 and that they subsequently developed a close relationship. According to his account, they visited entertainment establishments together approximately 70 to 80 times over several years. During some of those gatherings, A alleged that Kim Seung Woo had taken smaller amounts of money from his wallet to give as tips to female hostesses.
The amounts allegedly ranged from ₩300,000 KRW (about $224 USD) to ₩1.00 million KRW (about $748 USD). A claimed that he had repeatedly warned the actor against touching his wallet without permission. The complainant alleged that he discovered the missing money after sending Kim Seung Woo home and attempting to settle the bill. He told investigators that when he noticed checks and cash missing from his wallet, he demanded that the establishment’s staff be questioned.
According to A’s police statement, two female employees allegedly told him that they had witnessed Kim Seung Woo removing money from his wallet. One reportedly claimed that the actor had instructed her not to tell anyone. These alleged witness accounts were relayed by the complainant and have not been independently confirmed in the report.
Kim Seung Woo’s representatives acknowledged that an incident involving the money had occurred but strongly disputed the allegation of theft. The actor’s legal team explained that he and A had been close friends and that the incident was intended as a joke. According to his representatives, the incident took place on October 29, 2021. They claimed that any misunderstanding was resolved by October 31 and that the two continued maintaining a close relationship afterward. The legal team described the prank as something that occurred between friends who were like brothers. Kim Seung Woo reportedly also maintained that people around them were aware of what had happened. His representatives further insisted that the actor had ultimately repaid more than the amount allegedly taken.
According to the actor’s representatives, the two continued maintaining a close friendship even after the alleged theft. They claimed that Kim Seung Woo had financially supported A’s family while the complainant was incarcerated.
“Even after A was imprisoned, they remained close. Kim Seung Woo was concerned that his family might be struggling, so he sent approximately ₩2.00 million KRW (about $1,500 USD) every month for living expenses.”
The representatives expressed confusion over the complaint, arguing that the two had maintained a relationship resembling that of brothers. They also suggested that A’s recollection of the incident might be inaccurate.
For now, Kim Seung Woo continues to deny criminal wrongdoing, while the complainant maintains that the ₩22.0 million KRW (about $16,400 USD) was taken without permission and never repaid.