Actress Han So Hee’s mother given suspended sentence for illegal gambling operations

South Korean actress Han So Hee. Photo from Han's Instagram

According to The Korea Times, Han’s 55-year-old mother received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must complete 120 hours of community service, as ruled by the Chuncheon District Court’s Wonju Branch. This sentencing followed her conviction for managing seven gambling venues for profit between Jan. 2022 and Aug. 2023.

At the time, Han’s agency stated that the charges were strictly related to her mother’s individual actions and had no connection to the actress.

"This case is entirely about her mother’s personal actions," the agency’s statement said. "We apologize for any inconvenience this personal matter may have caused."

Prosecutors explained that Han’s mother worked with others in an illegal gambling network, utilizing the messaging app Telegram to oversee and grow her operations. She reportedly obtained access and management codes to establish the venues, earning income through commissions from bets and user losses.

Her operations were primarily in Wonju, a city in South Korea, where she hired "front men" and used proxies to run adult PC game centers or teamed up with current operators to conduct illegal online gambling, including baccarat. Additional facilities were in Ulsan and Gyeongju.

Despite a previous fine of 5 million won (US$3,391) in 2023 for similar offenses, she persisted in her illegal activities. The judge highlighted the substantial, though unspecified, profits from these operations, indicating significant earnings from structured profit-sharing schemes.

After the ruling, Han’s mother was freed from custody, having been detained since her arrest in September. Initially seeking a stricter punishment of one year and six months in prison, prosecutors have appealed the decision, considering it too lenient. An appeals trial is pending at the Chuncheon District Court.

Han, 31, became well-known from her 2020 role in the South Korean TV series "The World of the Married" and has been noted for her resemblance to renowned actress Song Hye Kyo. Earlier this year, she was embroiled in controversy over suspected involvement in the personal relationship between actor Ryu Jun Yeol and singer-actress Lee Hyeri.