Rising Korean Actor Shares Struggle With Over 10 Billion Won In Debt After Suffering From Mobile Hacking And Blackmail
Rising actor Jang Dong Ju (32), who shocked the public by confessing that he ended up with tens of billions of won [over $6.8 billion] in debt due to mobile phone hacking, honestly spoke about the situation so far.
Last November, Jang Dong Ju suddenly posted an apology on his Instagram saying “I’m sorry” and disappeared from the public eye. After losing contact for a period, the situation was resolved once his agency confirmed his whereabouts. He later explained, “Various circumstances overlapped, and I needed time to reorganize myself for a while. I started acting at a young age and kept running without rest, so I think I couldn’t properly look after my condition and mindset.”
After finding a new agency and meeting viewers through the SBS Friday-Saturday drama “No Tail To Tell,” which had been filmed earlier, Jang Dong Ju revealed a shocking story, saying, “I found out that my mobile phone had been completely hacked. I was threatened, and from that day on, every day felt like hell.” He confessed that he had been blackmailed due to the hacking incident, which eventually led to his temporary disappearance.
A representative from Jang Dong Ju’s side told SPOTV News on the 5th of February, “Jang Dong Ju found it difficult, but after much consideration, he decided to post the message with the mindset of ‘taking responsibility until the end.’”
He said, “I borrowed money by any means necessary. My family even sold their house for me. Debt created by urgent circumstances led to more debt, and I lost tens of billions of won. I ended up buried in debt. I lost my life, the people around me, and my family’s happiness. It felt like being trapped in a swamp I couldn’t escape from. If you trust and wait for me, I will come to my senses, live diligently, and repay every single won.”
Following the incident, Jang Dong Ju chose to part ways with his new agency just one month after signing an exclusive contract. A representative explained, “The relationship with the agency ended on good terms. The agency understood the situation and wanted to help, but creditors began calling or visiting the company office. It caused disruption to the agency’s work, and above all, Jang Dong Ju firmly believed he did not want to burden the company with his personal debts.”
Jang Dong Ju reported the hacking to the police, but the exact cause and circumstances have not yet been identified. The representative said, “We suspect ID or cloud hacking, but nothing has been confirmed. The case was reported to the police, but we were told tracking is difficult at the moment because a burner phone was used. We believe the truth about the hacking damage will be revealed through the ongoing investigation.”
It was also reported that Jang Dong Ju has been recovering mentally after going through a long period of emotional hardship. After becoming a free agent following the end of his exclusive contract, many entertainment companies have reportedly shown interest, and he is cautiously preparing to resume activities.
The representative added, “Originally, he planned to take more time, but staying quiet doesn’t solve the situation. For Jang Dong Ju, starting work quickly and settling debts is the top priority,” adding that although his mental condition is not fully stable, he has expressed determination, saying, “Even if I am struggling, creditors must be struggling more, so I will resolve things quickly.”
The representative continued, “Receiving offers in a situation like this is a blessing. We believe this crisis should be turned into an opportunity, and a decision could be made as early as this month.”
According to the representative, the person who had been threatening Jang Dong Ju after claiming to have hacked his phone cut off contact after Jang Dong Ju publicly revealed everything. Jang Dong Ju personally contacted creditors to explain his situation and ask for understanding.
Regarding why Jang Dong Ju revealed even his personal shortcomings, the representative said, “At the time he posted the message, pressure from creditors was severe. The drama he filmed earlier, ‘No Tail to tell,’ is only airing now, so from the creditors’ perspective, it may have seemed like he was appearing glamorously on TV while repayments were not being made. There can be a large gap between what celebrities show on TV and their real-life situations. He wanted people to understand that. Honestly, what man would write on social media saying, ‘I have no money’ or ‘I’m struggling’? Rather than protecting his pride, he chose honesty.”
The representative added, “Jang Dong Ju contacted creditors saying, ‘I feel like I want to die, but I will live and repay everything until the end. Please trust and wait for me,’ and the creditors said they would wait and trust him.”
They concluded, “Jang Dong Ju plans to reorganize himself physically and mentally, decide on a new company soon, and continue his activities. He will take responsibility for all debts and start again with a new mindset, showing good work as an actor. He is grateful for the number of offers he has received.”
In “No Tail to Tell,” Jang Dong Ju plays Hyun Woo Seok, a former youth national team soccer prospect who failed to succeed professionally and was released from his team after playing only in lower leagues. After his life changes through meeting world-class soccer star Kang Si Yeol (Lomon), the character’s dramatic turnaround has received positive responses from viewers.
Source: (A)
