Actress Park Min Young concedes mistake in romantic involvement with Bithumb’s owner

South Korean actress Park Min Young. Photo from Park's Instagram

"It’s hard to admit one’s own mistakes," Park confessed in a recent media interaction, according to Nate. "Nevertheless, clarity follows once I acknowledge the truth."

According to the actress, the scrutiny and criticism that have besieged her lately have taken a toll, pushing her to the brink of depression, a sentiment she echoed by captioning one of her Instagram posts: "Sick of it all."

She further lamented the proliferation of speculations around her, stating: "I acknowledge my mistake, but there are too many false rumors surrounding me."

She also likened the pain she felt to being "stabbed with an iron rod" and said she wondered why people subject others to such harsh criticism.

Amid these challenges, Park finds solace in her work, particularly in her recent TV drama "Marry My Husband," which she believes signifies the start of a new chapter in her life. She said has found working to be a source of encouragement, helping her remain resilient and discover "true happiness," which she specifies is not based on material wealth.

The Sep. 2022 revelation of Park’s romantic ties with Kang and her sister’s involvement as a director at a branch of Bithumb, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency trading platform as detailed by The Korea Times, brought her under intense public scrutiny.

Park announced through her management agency her separation from Kang just two days after her relationship with Kang became public knowledge.

Still, the public backlash against her was exacerbated by Kang’s subsequent arrest in early 2023 on suspicions of embezzlement and market manipulation, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

Following his arrest, Park was interrogated regarding her possible complicity in Kang’s alleged crimes. The Korea Herald reported that the investigation aimed to determine if Park had profited from any illegal dealings within the company or its affiliates.

Park has reportedly denied all allegations of her involvement.

Park made her first public comments about her association with Kang and the ensuing controversies at the press conference for "Marry My Husband" in January. She described them as giving her an "extremely tiring year."

Park, who made her entry into the entertainment sector as a model in a commercial for SK Telecom, a prominent South Korean telecommunications company, in 2005. She transitioned to acting in 2006 and has quickly ascended to fame.

Her career is highlighted by her performances in acclaimed TV series such as "High Kick!," "Sungkyunkwan Scandal," and "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim."