One of the operators of Song Joong Ki's fan café has issued an apology after getting embroiled in an embezzlement scandal. The said operator admitted to stealing funds donated by fans through the fan club.
The operator, who uses the ID name Miso on Song Joong Ki's fan café, allegedly embezzled 2,796,442 won, while another operator, nicknamed J, took 1,640,00 won, Soompi reported.
Reports said that the suspected operators manipulated the amounts used to make slogans for a fan meeting with Song Joong Ki, which took place on April 17. They indicated that the slogans cost triple the actual amount, and then split the extra money.
According to Allkpop, the money accumulated by Song Joong Ki's fan café increased following the success of his latest drama series "Descendants of the Sun."
"After suspicions about the fan cafe support fund spending arose, J asked me to show the account transactions," Miso said in his official statement. "However, I was scared of my mistake being found out so I could not show the transactions."
Miso also said he will take responsibility for his actions and he will not avoid any liability he may be faced with.
Song Joong Ki's talent agency, Blossom Entertainment, previously stated that they are not connected to the fan café or to its operators. "We do not interfere in fan café matters," the agency said. However, some of the actor's fans criticized Blossom Entertainment for handling the situation poorly.
Meanwhile, "Descendants of the Sun" propelled Song Joong Ki into global superstar status. He is currently one of South Korea's most bankable stars, having made waves both locally and overseas.
When Straits Times asked if Song is similar to his "Descendants of the Sun" character Yoo Si Jin, he said that they're both equally funny. "Yoo Si Jin likes to make jokes, and I do too," Son said. "If I were like him, I would have been much more popular."
Although nothing has been confirmed at this point, "Descendants of the Sun" Season 2 is reportedly in the works. The story is rumored to focus on the second lead couple, played by Jin Goo and Kim Ji Won.