Actor Son Bo-seung, 26 ― the son of comedian and actress Lee Kyung-sil, 59 ― is under fire over allegations he pursued for-profit activity while serving in the military. The online business he was tied to has since been shut down.
According to a report on the 3rd, the online shop Prestige, where Son was registered as CEO, was closed as of the 26th of last month. Its website has been taken offline. The store operated as the official sales site for Lee Kyung-sil’s egg brand.
Lee’s newly launched egg line drew backlash for its relatively high price. Eggs labeled with Korea’s “code 4” were sold for around 15,000 won per pack, sparking debate. Lee’s camp said the pricing reflected premium feed and strict hygiene standards, adding she was disheartened by the criticism.
Complicating matters, Son ― who enlisted in June and is currently serving in the Army ― was listed as the company’s legal representative. Critics argued that an active-duty soldier keeping a leadership role at a for-profit business could violate South Korea’s rules barring troops from profit-making or holding outside posts.
Lee countered that she invested in the company but it has never turned a profit, saying spending so far has gone toward advertising and product development. She maintained her son did not engage in profit-making activities and was not involved in day-to-day operations of the egg business.
However, regulations prohibit service members from being in a position that allows profit-making ― such as retaining a representative title ― regardless of whether profits were actually generated. That has fueled speculation that the company’s closure came only after the issue surfaced.
It has prompted questions about the timing of the shutdown and whether it was a corrective move.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)