According to The StarLee Seung Gi released a press statement, expressing his disappointment over his wife’s stepfather’s alleged actions.

“My father-in-law was fined in a trial on allegations of illegal activities that had been continuously raised against him, but recently, he has been indicted by the authorities again over similar illegal acts,” read the statement. “As someone who has waited for the outcome based on trust between family members, I am devastated about my father-in-law’s misconduct.”

Lee Seung Gi also took responsibility for his past comments defending his father-in-law, acknowledging that he had made remarks without fully reviewing the situation.

“I deeply regret the careless remarks I made last year without sufficiently reviewing the matter to my father-in-law,” he admitted. “I believe that appropriate punishment must be given for illegal acts, and I sincerely apologize to the victims who suffered due to my hasty judgment.”

He announced that his wife Lee Da In had also decided to cut ties with her family due to the irreparable damage caused by the scandal.

“The trust between the family members has been damaged irreparably due to this incident,” he said. “After much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to cut ties with my in-laws. I once again bow and apologise for causing concern and disappointment due to my personal matters.”

The decision comes amid renewed allegations against Lee Hong Heon, a businessman previously convicted of manipulating stock prices. In 2016, Lee Hong Heon was charged for stock price manipulation between 2014 and 2016 and was sentenced to four years in prison, along with a 2.5 billion won (US$1.8 million) fine. However, he was acquitted by an appellate court in 2019. The South Korean Supreme Court overturned the acquittal in June 2024, sending the case back for retrial.

Lee Hong Heon was arrested again last month, this time in connection with alleged stock manipulation in the renewable energy sector.

At 38, Lee Seung Gi is one of South Korea’s highest-paid celebrities. He has received numerous awards, including a Golden Disc Award for music and a Baeksang Arts Award for acting. He has appeared multiple times on Forbes Korea’s Power Celebrity 40 list, ranking sixth in 2022.

Lee Seung Gi married actress Lee Da In, 33, in April 2023, and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in Feb. 2024.

Lee Da In is the daughter of actress Kyeon Mi Ri, known for her role in the hit TV series “Jewel in the Palace.” Kyeon has also faced controversy in the past, as she was investigated for stock manipulation in 2009.