South Korean actress Han So-hee’s mother convicted again in online gambling case
South Korean actress Han So-hee’s mother, identified by the surname Shin, has once again received a suspended prison sentence for running a network of illegal gambling dens.
On Friday (16 May 2025), the Criminal Division 1 of the Chuncheon District Court, led by Judge Shim Hyun Geun, sentenced the 55-year-old to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete 120 hours of community service.
According to prosecutors, Shin was approached by a member of an illegal gambling organisation through the messaging app Telegram. She received access codes and manager credentials to set up seven gambling “stores” that offered illegal games such as baccarat.
Authorities said Shin established adult PC rooms in Wonju, either under borrowed names or by partnering with existing operators. These venues, set up under revenue-sharing agreements, were used to run online gambling activities. Of the seven dens, five were in Wonju and one each in Ulsan and Gyeongju.
Prior offence considered in ruling
Shin had a prior conviction in 2023, when she was fined 5 million won (approximately $3,600) for violating the Game Industry Promotion Act in a separate 2021 case. The court gave her a suspended sentence after considering her earlier conviction, the large amount of money she likely made, and the fact that she had been held during the investigation.
Prosecutors had asked for a one-and-a-half-year prison sentence, saying the original punishment was too light, but their appeal was rejected. However, the appellate court dismissed the appeal, stating that no new circumstances justified a harsher penalty.
This marks Shin’s second conviction related to illegal gambling in South Korea, drawing renewed attention due to her connection to the well-known actress.
Actress not involved: Han So-hee’s agency responds
Following public attention on the case, Han So-hee’s agency has issued a statement distancing the actress from her mother’s actions. “This is a deeply personal issue caused by Han So Hee’s mother. Han So Hee herself only learned about it through news reports. We apologise for the discomfort caused by this personal incident unrelated to her work,” the statement said.
Han So-hee and her mother have reportedly been estranged for many years. Han, known for her roles in popular dramas such as “The World of the Married” and “Nevertheless,” had earlier revealed that she was raised by her grandmother following her parents’ divorce, and was not in contact with her mother.
