Kim Seung Woo has been hit with a theft complaint, which his side denies.
According to a Sunday Journal report on November 12, an acquaintance of the actor, referred to as A, filed a theft complaint against Kim Seung Woo with the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul in July. A claims that in October 2021, at an entertainment bar in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Kim Seung Woo took 22 million won (approximately 16,400 USD) in cash from A's wallet.
Kim Seung Woo
People involved with the drama The Driver, which Kim Seung Woo directed, were reportedly at the gathering. A, an investor in the drama, alleges that Kim Seung Woo took the money from a wallet in A's bag while A briefly stepped away, and claims staff at the bar witnessed it. A is currently serving a prison sentence for an economic crime.
Kim Seung Woo's side denied the theft allegation. His lawyer said it was a prank between people who were close like brothers. "He playfully hid it in front of several people and then gave it back," the lawyer explained, adding that he paid back more than that amount the next day.
A disputes this, saying the money Kim Seung Woo returned had nothing to do with the cash. "He repaid money I had lent him personally, not the money he took," A said, explaining that 30 million won was the agreed 10% return on a 300 million won investment.
Kim Seung Woo's side maintains that A's memory is mistaken. "We have all the records of the immediate bank transfer and have submitted a written statement including them," his lawyer said. His side added that he stayed close to A after the incident and has supported A's family with 2 million won a month in living expenses since A went to prison.
Kim Seung Woo is married to actress Kim Nam Joo.
Update (Nov 12): Kim Seung Woo's agency, Great Actors, confirmed that he has been sued and said it is looking into the exact facts. His representative added, "As reported, the case is ongoing and there are legal issues remaining, so it's difficult to explain in detail. We will share our position again once the situation is sorted out." According to Sports Seoul, Kim Seung Woo transferred 30 million won (approximately 22,500 USD) to A two days after the gathering, which A says was for the drama investment, its returns and a personal loan rather than the 22 million won.
TV Chosun's Our Neighborhood Health King, which Kim Seung Woo began hosting with its revamped premiere on November 9, said, "We've seen the reports. The production team seems to be checking on it now. We'll let you know once there is accurate information." Some outlets also noted that the gathering took place in late October 2021, when entertainment bars in the Seoul area were under a COVID-19 ban on operating, though it hasn't been confirmed whether any rules were broken.
UPDATE on November 13, 2026:
Kim Seung Woo's side has said that he supported A's family for more than a year after A went to prison. According to his side's account, shared on the YouTube channel Lee Jin Ho's Respect on November 13, Kim Seung Woo learned in early 2025 that A had been jailed and began sending A's family 2 million won (about $1,500) every month. The payments continued for about 13 months until February 2026, totaling 26 million won (about $19,500).
His side says that after the support stopped, someone on A's side asked for more money and sent a certified letter, and the criminal complaint followed. Sports Chosun noted that it has not been confirmed whether the end of the payments and the complaint are connected.
The two sides also still disagree over the money Kim Seung Woo later transferred to A. He says it covered the 22 million won plus the bar bill and an apology, while A says it was agreed returns on an investment in a drama and has nothing to do with the theft claim. Police are investigating, and Kim Seung Woo's side said it will respond legally to claims that are not true.
