Shoo, a former member of first-generation K-pop girl group S.E.S., has publicly addressed her past controversies, including her high-profile gambling case.
On August 8, she posted a YouTube video titled “The Controversial Incident… I’m Telling Everything Today” on her channel Human That’s Shoo. In it, she opened up about her life after the gambling scandal and her strained relationship with her family. Her husband Im Hyo-sung also appeared in the video, revealing, “During the period we were separated, I suddenly received a call that she had debt. At that time, I was told she had 280 million won in debt, and I felt so helpless. After a day of thinking, I gathered money I borrowed from friends and my savings, and gave it to her, but our relationship had already soured beyond repair.”
The following day, on August 9, Shoo wrote on social media, “Everyone, today is already Malbok [the last of the three hottest days of summer]. Are you all having an energetic weekend? Yesterday, I had the chance to share my story on YouTube. There were stories I couldn’t easily bring myself to talk about, but after long deliberation, I mustered the courage to speak for the first time.” She added, “It has been just 24 hours, a short day, since the video was uploaded, and I’m truly grateful for the interest and support from so many people. Reading every single comment you left brought tears to my eyes, and seeing the sharp advice deepened my resolve to live my future life more meaningfully and preciously.”
Shoo also reflected on her personal growth, stating, “I am no longer the naive ‘Shoo’ who knew nothing. I hope the day will come when I can confidently say to you all, ‘Everyone, I’ve become a decent person. Isn’t that right?’ From now on, I will do my best every moment to live as the real ‘human Shoo,’ without hiding or pretending.”
The singer was indicted for habitual gambling between August 2016 and May 2018, with total bets of 790 million won (about $570,000 USD). In February 2019, she received a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. She returned to the public eye in April 2022 as a BJ (broadcast jockey), but faced criticism for wearing revealing clothes during broadcasts. Responding to the backlash, she said, “I didn’t even have a chance to speak, and I just ran away.”
Her latest YouTube confession has become a trending topic in Korean celebrity news, with fans and netizens split between supporting her fresh start and questioning her return to the entertainment industry.
