Actor Lee Jang-woo is embroiled in controversy over allegedly unpaid ingredient bills tied to a sundaeguk (sundae-guk; Korean blood sausage soup) restaurant reportedly associated with him.
On the 17th, Dispatch reported that the meat supplier for the restaurant claims they have not been properly paid for about a year and six months. The balance for deliveries of pig heads and offal once ballooned to KRW 64 million, and more than KRW 40 million allegedly remains unpaid to this day, according to the supplier.
A representative from the supplier said that settlements were processed normally at first, but the payment cycle gradually slowed and receivables piled up. They repeatedly requested payment, but the situation did not improve, and they even attempted to contact Lee directly.
As the controversy grew, the supplier drew a line, saying Lee is not the actual operator. An acquaintance, identified as A, is listed as the representative, and Lee only helped during the initial launch. However, because Lee has mentioned on broadcasts and in content as if he were personally running the shop, public opinion is split over where responsibility lies.
Meanwhile, Lee’s side told multiple outlets that they are “checking the facts.”