Singer MC Mong (real name Shin Dong-hyun) has strongly protested reports regarding his alleged overseas gambling, claiming that certain media outlets and reporters colluded with a specific informant.
MC Mong hosted three live broadcasts on social media until May 20, denying allegations that he embezzled company funds for illegal gambling. He raised suspicions that "A," known as a relative of Cha Ga-won, the chairman of One Hundred, and several entertainment industry figures had been engaging in illegal gambling, yet A and others were colluding with reporters to cause further damage.
In his third live broadcast, MC Mong claimed, "Informants should be protected, but there are criminals who abuse that system. There are media outlets and groups that collude with them despite knowing their criminal acts." He went as far as naming a specific broadcasting producer (PD), accusing them of "conspiring while being treated to a meal at a restaurant in the United States" and raising allegations of "violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act."
Regarding the reporting process of a media outlet that raised the overseas gambling allegations, he said, "A treated reporters to a meal at a restaurant in Apgujeong, and after that, I received inquiries about the overseas gambling allegations. It felt like they were reporting with a predetermined answer." He added, "I kept receiving questions about where the 12 billion KRW in funds came from, but I do not know."
However, on May 20, TV Chosun reported contrasting details by releasing a recording of a phone call between MC Mong and an individual associated with A.
According to the report, MC Mong told A, who first raised the overseas gambling allegations, "Please let me team up with you. I beg of you." The recording also included remarks such as "Please stop," and "I want to be on your side." However, MC Mong reportedly did not respond when A asked, "You gambled with the 12 billion KRW, didn't you?"
Explaining the intent behind his remarks, MC Mong clarified, "I was appealing to them on a human level to stop the conflict." Regarding A, MC Mong also shared his feelings, saying, "Cha Ga-won is family, and A was someone I once called father. I just wanted to stop this fight."
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)