Jo Hye-ryun and Lee Kyung-sil Targeted by Fan Impersonators Demanding Money: 'Could Have Bought a Building'

Comediennes Jo Hye-ryun and Lee Kyung-sil have revealed they are frequently targeted by individuals posing as fans to solicit money.

In a video released on the YouTube channel 'Sinyeoseong' (New Woman), Jo Hye-ryun shared, "I still receive several messages a day where people claim to be fans, write that they were deeply moved, and then ask to borrow money." She stated the amounts requested range from millions to tens of millions of Korean won. While she initially offered some assistance, she realized the situation was untenable.

Lee Kyung-sil echoed similar experiences, saying, "They beg me to save them just once. I've also helped in the past." She added, "It seems there are people exploiting celebrities." They pointed out that such scams often exploit the goodwill of celebrities and the anonymity of social media, making it difficult to verify authenticity or track down perpetrators even when exposed as fraud.

During the episode, themed around 'Characteristics of People You Want to Cut Ties With,' Jo Hye-ryun advised avoiding those who speak too casually about money and those who borrow and fail to repay on promised dates. When asked if she had unreturned loans, both Jo Hye-ryun and Lee Kyung-sil confirmed they had. Lee Kyung-sil humorously remarked, "I lost so much money, I could have bought a building with it."

Lee Kyung-sil emphasized the importance of 'give and take' in relationships, stating that overly selfish individuals should be distanced. She also offered advice on how to end relationships, suggesting that while clear 'yes' or 'no' answers seem good, it's sometimes better to allow relationships to naturally drift apart without direct confrontation.

The broadcast also featured Jo Hye-ryun recounting a story from her college days where she drank 2700cc of beer in three gulps to date a senior she had a crush on. Jo Hye-ryun and Lee Kyung-sil also mentioned preparing content with fellow comedian Park Mi-sun and expressed a desire to invite her to 'Sinyeoseong' soon.

'Sinyeoseong' is a YouTube content series presented in a podcast format by Lee Kyung-sil and Jo Hye-ryun, with comedian Lee Sun-min serving as MC to represent the younger generation's perspective. The show resonates with audiences in their 20s and 30s through its honest and candid discussions, and it is released every other Tuesday at 6 PM KST on the 'Rolling Thunder' YouTube channel.

Jo Hye-ryun, debuting in 1995, has built a successful career as a comedian, earning nicknames like 'Nation's Villain' and 'Female Yoo Jae-suk'. Beyond comedy, she has showcased her talents as a singer and entrepreneur. Currently, through her YouTube channel 'Sinyeoseong', she connects with fans, sharing her candid thoughts and experiences.