MC Mong Issues Late Apology 4 Months After Mentioning Kim Min-jong in Gambling Rumors

The four-month controversy surrounding gambling allegations has come to an end after singer MC Mong (real name Shin Dong-hyun) directly apologized to actor and singer Kim Min-jong, who accepted the apology.

During a personal livestream on the 5th, MC Mong revealed that he met Kim in person to clear up the misunderstanding. "I once again apologize for causing misunderstandings regarding Min-jong," he said. "Mentioning senior Kim Min-jong itself was my fault. I will accept whatever articles come out hereafter." He added, "The misunderstanding regarding senior Kim Min-jong's alleged gambling was successfully cleared up between the two of us today, and the senior warmly hugged me."

The controversy began on May 18 when MC Mong raised suspicions of an illegal celebrity gambling gathering during a personal livestream and explicitly named Kim Min-jong. Although Kim's side immediately denied the claims as groundless, the controversy led to tangible damage. Kim had to step down from a new Hollywood film shooting on location in the United States, and two advertising contracts under discussion were halted.

After immediately refuting the claims as untrue and remaining silent afterward, Kim filed a formal criminal complaint against MC Mong on the 1st through his legal representative for defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.

Kim's side previously stated at the time, "As these claims spread through the media and online, the reputation and trust built over roughly 38 years since his debut in 1988 have been severely damaged," adding, "We will faithfully cooperate with the investigative process to uncover the facts and sequentially pursue necessary legal measures, including civil lawsuits for damages."

After showing no particular reaction immediately following the complaint, MC Mong changed his stance and issued an apology four days later on the 5th.

Previously, on the 18th of last month, a turning point emerged when former entertainment reporter turned YouTuber Lee Jin-ho released a recording of a person presumed to be Cha Ga-won, head of One Hundred Label.

In the recording, the individual stated, "Kim Min-jong was a visitor, so there is no record itself." Regarding claims that Kim was sanctioned for touching chips, the person replied, "I am told he did not touch the chips. That employee spoke directly with the dealer. He was just sitting next to Cha Jun-young."

(Photo: Yonhap News) (SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Kyung-yoon)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.