From actor Jang Dong-ju’s shocking retirement and Kim Sa-rang’s apartment seizure over tax arrears to the heavy first-trial sentences for those who tried to kidnap and kill game YouTuber Sutak… here are the major entertainment headlines for May 15.
■ Jang Dong-ju Suddenly Announces Retirement: “I’m stepping down as an actor today”
Actor Jang Dong-ju has unexpectedly announced his retirement.
On May 15, Jang Dong-ju shared on his SNS, “I have received so much love and support while living as an actor for a long time. Every moment I laughed and cried in front of the camera was the brightest time of my life.”
He added, “As of today, I intend to let go of my life as actor Jang Dong-ju. I will never forget the kindness you’ve shown me.”
Following the announcement, Jang Dong-ju’s profile has already been removed from his agency’s artist lineup on their website, although some posts like interview articles remain.
Previously, in January, Jang Dong-ju revealed that he suffered losses amounting to billions of won due to phone hacking. At the time, he shared the heartbreaking news that his family even had to sell their home.
Additionally, in November of last year, a commotion occurred when his agency had to search for his whereabouts after he posted only “I’m sorry” on SNS and became unreachable.
■ Kim Sa-rang’s Gimpo Apartment Seized Due to Unpaid Taxes: Risk of Public Auction
Actress and former Miss Korea Kim Sa-rang’s apartment has reportedly been seized by tax authorities due to unpaid national taxes.
On May 15, the Sunday Newspaper reported that an apartment owned by Kim Sa-rang in Gimpo was seized by the Samsung Tax Office on the 6th of last month. The apartment’s official price this year is approximately 366 million won, with a recent market value reported at around 600 million won.
While the seizure can be lifted if the arrears are paid, it is known that the property could face public auction if the unpaid status continues.
Recently, Kim Sa-rang used her YouTube channel to show the interior of her home where she lives with her dog and complained about damages from poor interior construction. At the time, she expressed her frustration, stating she had even considered writing an email to the Minister of Justice.
Meanwhile, Kim Sa-rang is known to own another apartment in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. No separate seizure records have been confirmed for the Cheongdam-dong property.
■ Heavy Sentences for Gang Who Attempted to Kidnap and Kill ‘1 Million YouTuber’ Sutak
A group that kidnapped, assaulted, and attempted to kill game YouTuber Sutak, who has approximately 1 million subscribers, received heavy sentences in their first trial.
On May 15, the Incheon District Court’s 13th Criminal Division sentenced defendants A and B, who were indicted on charges including attempted robbery-murder, to 30 years and 25 years in prison, respectively. Defendant C, who provided the tools for the crime, was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
The group was brought to trial for luring Sutak into a vehicle in an apartment underground parking lot in Songdo, Incheon, last October, assaulting him with an aluminum baseball bat, and kidnapping him with the intent to kill. They moved as far as Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province, but were arrested by police who responded to the victim’s report.
The court stated, “The location of the crime, the method of assault and kidnapping, and even the method of disposing of the body were planned in advance. The victim experienced extreme terror, fearing for their life.”
Previously, Sutak personally revealed the extent of his injuries during a live broadcast, stating, “I underwent surgery for finger and orbital fractures, and my vision and hearing have decreased.”
