Kim Min-jong denies 'groundless' illegal gambling accusations
Published: 19 May. 2026, 16:25
Kim Min-jong, CEO of KC Contents, attends a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources held in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Oct. 26, 2023. [NEWS1]
Singer and actor Kim Min-jong refuted rapper MC Mong’s allegations that he was involved in illegal gambling, saying the claims were “groundless" and that he will take legal action.
“I want to make it clear that the claims currently being made about me are not true,” said Kim through his legal representative law firm, OhKims Law, on Tuesday. “After fully verifying and organizing the facts, I plan to pursue civil and criminal legal action regarding the necessary matters."
The actor added, “I will act carefully so as not to disappoint those who have trusted and supported me for a long time.”
MC Mong held a TikTok live broadcast on Monday to address various allegations surrounding him, including accusations that he used company funds for overseas gambling. The rapper co-founded entertainment company One Hundred Label with entrepreneur Cha Ga-won in 2023, but left the company in 2025. Since then, he has faced a series of allegations, including claims that he used company funds for gambling trips overseas.
While denying the allegations of gambling overseas with company money, MC Mong went on to make a series of claims, including that an illegal gambling group involving entertainers exists. During the broadcast, he explicitly named Kim as being involved.
“The company executive proposed to go overseas for gambling from the early stages of establishing Big Planet Made Entertainment," MC Mong claimed, adding that there is a gambling ring involving entertainers.
"Members of the ring gave tips to hostesses after winning money there, and Kim, who was with them, also received tips.”
Rapper MC Mong [YONHAP]
Kim’s legal representatives noted that “baseless” rumors about the actor’s private life are spreading indiscriminately, alongside “malicious” allegations.
“[Due to such rumors and allegations,] the reputation of the artist, who has long received great love from the public, is being seriously damaged,” the law firm said.
“All claims related to Kim are clearly false,” OhKims Law said. “Kim will confront the matter head-on without any compromise in order to prove his innocence.”
Kim debuted in 1988 as an actor in the film “Don Quixote on Asphalt” and started to gain public attention through “Happiness Does Not Come in Grades” (1989).
Following his acting debut, he launched his music career in 1992 with his first album, “Story of Love and Breakup” (translated). The same year, he formed the duo The Blue with actor Son Ji-chang and released a string of hit songs, including “With You” (2009).
He recently appeared in the film “Florence Knocking On You,” released in January.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM JI-HYE [
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