Singer and actor Rain has recently been caught in the midst of controversy over an alleged real estate fraud. The accusations, which amount to a staggering 8.5 billion won ($6.34 million), have been vehemently denied by Rain.
The ordeal began when a video was uploaded on YouTube, detailing the case against Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon. The video was based on the account of an individual who claimed to have filed a complaint against the singer for engaging in false property sales.
According to the claimant, he and Rain had made an agreement to sell their respective buildings to one another. The claimant owned a property in Namyang New Town in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, while Rain owned a property in Itaewon, central Seoul.
The claimant had requested Rain to visit his Itaewon residence in person, but Rain declined, citing privacy reasons. It was only after the trade deal had been signed that the claimant discovered the building he had purchased was completely different from what he had been told.
In response to the allegations, the claimant filed a case against Rain at the Yongsan Police Precinct last month. However, Rain’s agency, Rain Company, quickly denied the accusations in a statement on its social media platforms. The agency claimed that the allegations were an attempt to target Rain solely because he is a celebrity.
Rain Company argued that it is illogical for someone to purchase a multi-billion won house based solely on photos. Furthermore, the agency stated that the accusations do not align with the register copy or the building register exchanged during the sales process.
To support their defense, Rain Company stated that they have “a lot of evidence” to refute the claims made against Rain. They emphasized that the buyer’s claims are far from the actual facts of the case and common sense. The agency vowed to pursue appropriate countermeasures against those taking advantage of Rain’s status as a public figure.
This latest controversy has stirred up public interest and discussion, as fans and critics await further developments in the case. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and whether the truth behind the allegations will be revealed.
In the meantime, Rain continues to focus on his career as a singer and actor, while also dealing with the weight of these accusations. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Rain’s reputation and future endeavors.
By Sohn Dong-joo [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]