Squid Game Frontman, Lee Byung-hun’s Cheating Controversy, Wife, and Girlfriend Scandals
Squid Game Frontman, Lee Byung-hun’s Cheating Controversy, Wife, and Girlfriend Scandals
Actor Lee Byung-hun has garnered international fame for his role as the mysterious Front Man in the Netflix hit Squid Game. However, alongside his impressive filmography, Lee’s personal life has repeatedly made headlines due to a series of controversies. Below is a snapshot of the key issues, lawsuits, and rumors that have shaped public perception of the actor.
1. Background and Personal Life
- Name: Lee Byung-hun
- Date of Birth: July 12, 1970 (Age 54)
- Birthplace: Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province (currently Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province), South Korea
- Height/Weight/Blood Type: 177cm, 72kg, O type
- Family:
- Mother: Park Jae-sun
- Younger sister: Lee Ji-an
- Spouse: Actress Lee Min-jung (married on August 10, 2013)
- Son: Lee Jun-hoo (born March 31, 2015)
- Daughter: Lee Seo-ee (born December 21, 2023)
- Education:
- Seoul Daewang Elementary School
- Yeongdong Middle School
- Jungdong High School
- Hanyang University, Ansan Campus (French Language and Literature, Class of ’89)
- Central University Graduate School (dropped out)
- Debut: 1991 KBS 14th open recruitment for actors (33 years since debut)
- Agency: BH Entertainment
Over the course of his career, Lee Byung-hun has starred in numerous notable films such as Joint Security Area (JSA), A Bittersweet Life, The Good, The Bad, The Weird, I Saw the Devil, Masquerade, Inside Men, The Fortress, and The Man Standing Next. He has also appeared in popular K-Dramas like Beautiful Days, All In, IRIS, Mr. Sunshine, Our Blues, and of course, Squid Game.
Despite critical and commercial success, Lee has repeatedly been embroiled in personal controversies, from lawsuits with former partners to high-profile blackmail scandals.
2. Lawsuit with a Canadian Ex-Girlfriend and Legal Clash with Kang Byung-kyu
Background of the Lawsuit
In 2009, a Canadian woman who claimed to have been in a romantic relationship with Lee Byung-hun sued him for “seducing her under false pretenses of marriage” (often referred to as 혼인빙자간음 in Korean). Lee’s legal team counter-sued, and the dispute became a protracted legal battle.
Kang Byung-kyu’s Involvement
Enter TV personality Kang Byung-kyu, who somehow became intertwined in the dispute. The gist of Lee’s camp’s argument was that Kang Byung-kyu allegedly conspired with the Canadian ex-girlfriend to extort a large sum of money from Lee. Kang Byung-kyu, for his part, denied these accusations.
- Defamation and Blackmail Claims:
- Kang Byung-kyu sued Lee Byung-hun for defamation. In June 2010, prosecutors cleared Lee of those charges.
- Kang Byung-kyu was himself charged with blackmail and defamation related to the same case.
The “IRIS” On-Set Incident
While Lee Byung-hun was filming the K-Drama IRIS in 2010, negative rumors about him spread on set. This led IRIS producers to accuse Kang Byung-kyu of being behind the rumors. Kang Byung-kyu visited the filming location to protest, resulting in a physical altercation between Kang Byung-kyu’s associates and the drama’s production team.
Actor Kim Seung-woo, who was also in IRIS, testified in court that Kang Byung-kyu was initially attacked but that the fight quickly became mutual. Kim’s testimony did not fully exonerate Kang Byung-kyu, contradicting media reports that he was purely a victim.
Aftermath
Ultimately, both sides were subjected to legal repercussions for mutual assault. Lee Byung-hun was not physically involved in the violence since the fight was between Kang Byung-kyu and the production team. Over a series of trials, Kang Byung-kyu was found to have made false statements and faced legal consequences. He later used social media to repeatedly attack Lee Byung-hun, alleging numerous rumors, especially about Lee’s personal life.
3. The 2014 Blackmail Scandal: 50 Billion KRW Demand
While filming the movie Inside Men in August 2014, Lee Byung-hun accused two women in their 20s—model Lee Ji-yeon and GLAM member Kim Da-hee—of blackmail. They allegedly recorded a private conversation where the three engaged in risqué jokes and threatened to release the video unless Lee paid them 5 billion KRW (often misstated as 50 billion KRW in some sources, though news reports vary on the currency figures).
Relationship Allegations
One of the women involved claimed she had been in a genuine romantic relationship with Lee Byung-hun, and that he abruptly ended things. Lee refuted this, insisting there was no serious relationship. However, the story sparked intense public debate, especially since Lee Byung-hun’s wife, Lee Min-jung, was reportedly overseas during the incident, raising suspicions of possible infidelity.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Lee Byung-hun cooperated with the police, leading to the two women’s arrest. They were later handed prison sentences—one year for Kim Da-hee and 14 months for Lee Ji-yeon—on charges of blackmail. The court ruled that their actions were premeditated and financially motivated.
Impact on Lee Byung-hun’s Image
Although Lee Byung-hun was the victim of the blackmail, details that emerged during the trial, including text messages and private jokes, painted him in a negative light. Media outlets argued that the revelations suggested an attempt at extramarital involvement on Lee’s part. Despite the actor ultimately prevailing in court, the scandal caused significant public backlash against him, overshadowing his personal apology and hurting his image and endorsements.
4. Paper Company Real Estate Accusations
Lee Byung-hun was cited in reports alleging that several high-profile Korean celebrities had established paper companies to facilitate property investments. According to investigative media, these so-called “ghost companies” were allegedly used to leverage large loans for real estate purposes. Lee has not been the only celebrity implicated, but the extent of his involvement or benefits from such alleged schemes has remained a topic of speculation.
5. Tax Evasion Allegations and Settlement
In February 2023, BH Entertainment addressed reports that Lee Byung-hun had been required to pay a significant amount of back taxes. The agency claimed the additional taxes stemmed from discrepancies in accounting practices—for example, mixing Lee’s personal funds for staff bonuses with the company’s expenses. They maintained that any mistakes were rectified through the normal auditing and reconciliation process.
6. Current Status
Despite these controversies, Lee Byung-hun continues to be one of Korea’s most recognized film stars. He has gradually restored his public image through successful roles and by remaining active in both cinema and television. His wife, actress Lee Min-jung, has stood by him throughout the scandals, and the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter, in December 2023.
Critics note that time and Lee Min-jung’s forgiveness have been key factors in moving public sentiment forward. Nevertheless, online discussions frequently reignite whenever Lee Byung-hun makes headlines or appears in new projects.
Final Thoughts
Lee Byung-hun’s career trajectory—from leading roles in critically acclaimed films and dramas to a global breakthrough with Squid Game—demonstrates his undeniable talent and star power. However, his personal life has been marred by lawsuits, blackmail scandals, and allegations of impropriety, often leaving fans and the media divided over whether to separate the actor’s private conduct from his on-screen achievements.
Regardless of public opinion, Lee Byung-hun continues to expand his portfolio internationally, and many industry figures still celebrate his acting prowess. As with many high-profile celebrities, his private matters remain a continuous subject of scrutiny, and the controversies surrounding him highlight the complex intersection of fame, personal relationships, and the court of public opinion.
