Amid an ongoing divorce battle, actress Hwang Jung Eum is facing severe financial setbacks, including foreclosure on a multi-billion-won property. On May 23, her agency Wow One Entertainment confirmed that the foreclosure happened during her divorce lawsuit with businessman Lee Young Don, stating the legal proceedings are now in their final stages and will be resolved amicably.

According to reports from Women’s News, Geoamcoa—a steel processing company run by Hwang’s ex-husband—filed a loan repayment lawsuit against the actress on March 27, demanding 157 million won. A foreclosure request followed on April 17, which the court approved on April 30.

WomenSense further revealed that the foreclosed property consists of two urban housing units in Seongna-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul. Hwang had purchased the units in May 2013 for 1.87 billion won. Alongside Geoamcoa’s legal action, an individual known as Mr. A also filed a separate foreclosure claim for 100 million won, further restricting Hwang from freely renting or selling the property.

Hwang Jung Eum divorce and embezzlement scandal deepens

In parallel to the foreclosure case, Hwang Jung Eum admitted to embezzlement charges at a March 15 court hearing. According to the indictment, she diverted company funds totaling 700 million won to invest in cryptocurrency, despite lacking experience in the area. Over the course of 2022, she allegedly embezzled a total of 4.34 billion won from her agency.

Her agency later issued a statement in which Hwang publicly apologized, saying, “I’m sorry for the embarrassment I caused to many people.” She added that she was influenced by someone close to her to channel company money into cryptocurrency in hopes of growing the business, describing her actions as stemming from “immature judgment.”

To rectify the financial damage, Hwang claims she has started working for another company and is actively working to clean up the related transactions. “I’ve already sold off personal assets to repay a large portion of the misused funds,” she said, “and I’m currently working to resolve the remaining liabilities.”

Meanwhile, Hwang Jung Eum and Lee Young Don—who tied the knot in 2016—first filed for divorce mediation in 2020 before reconciling the next year. However, by February 2023, they confirmed they were once again undergoing divorce proceedings. The former couple shares two sons.

Hwang Jung Eum’s case highlights a dangerous intersection of personal turmoil and risky financial decisions. As her divorce nears its end, the ongoing embezzlement controversy and loss of property suggest long-term reputational and legal consequences. Her candid apology might soften public backlash, but the road to recovery—both financial and personal—appears long and uncertain.