She Was Pretty actress Hwang Jung-Eum gets suspended jail term in $3 Million crypto embezzlement case

Hwang Jung-Eum

Popular K-drama actress Hwang Jung-Eum, best known for She Was Pretty, has been handed a two-year suspended prison term for embezzlement. The Jeju District Court’s Criminal Division 2 announced the ruling on September 25, stating that Hwang embezzled around 4.34 billion KRW (roughly $3.08 million) from her own agency, Hunminjeongeum Entertainment, to invest in cryptocurrency.

The suspended sentence means Hwang Jung-Eum, now 40, won’t serve time unless she commits another crime within the next four years.

Why the Court Showed Leniency

Reports say the court considered Hwang Jung-Eum’s repayment of the entire embezzled amount and the fact that she was a first-time offender. Prosecutors had originally demanded a three-year jail term, but her cooperation with the investigation and her financial restitution played a significant role in the lighter sentence.

According to Korea JoongAng Daily, Hwang Jung-Eum borrowed 800 million KRW (about $567,000) under her company’s name in July 2022 and later transferred most of it into her personal account. She allegedly made numerous cryptocurrency investments totaling more than 4.3 billion KRW between July and October of 2022. Additionally, some money was purportedly utilized for loans connected to stocks, credit card payments, and property taxes.

Hwang Jung-Eum’s Career and Public Response

During her initial trial in May 2025, Hwang Jung-Eum pleaded guilty to all charges. She requested time to pay back the damages at the time, and in the end, she used her personal assets to pay off all of the debts, with the last installments being made by the beginning of June.

Hwang Jung-Eum, who is well-known for her versatility, first gained notoriety with the sitcom High Kick Through the Roof. She went on to star in several K-dramas, such as Listen to My Heart, Kill Me, Heal Me, The Undateables, Mystic Pop-up Bar, and The Escape of the Seven. Fans are divided over the scandal, even though she has a strong screen legacy. Many are wondering if her comeback to acting will be seamless after such a controversy.

Also read: Millie Bobby Brown and Gabriel LaBelle begin filming for rom-com 'Just Picture It', share goofy set video

FAQs

Q1: In the embezzlement case, what was the sentence given to Hwang Jung-Eum?
Hwang Jung-Eum received a two-year prison sentence with a four-year suspension, which means she won't go to jail unless she commits another crime.

Q2: How much money was embezzled by Hwang Jung-Eum?
She was charged with embezzling approximately $3.08 million, or 4.34 billion KRW, from her agency in order to invest in cryptocurrency.

Q3: Which dramas starring Hwang Jung-Eum are the most well-liked?
She Was Pretty, Kill Me, Heal Me, Mystic Pop-up Bar, Listen to My Heart, and The Escape of the Seven are some of her well-known pieces.