South Korean actor Ryu Jun-yeol is facing public criticism after reports revealed that a family company linked to him made a large profit from a real estate investment in Seoul’s Gangnam district. The issue quickly gained attention after the investigative program MBC straight aired a segment examining the real estate transaction.
According to the report, the building involved is located in Yeoksam-dong, a prime area of Gangnam. The property was sold in 2022 for about ₩15 billion, sparking interest because the seller was a company called Deep Breathing, where Ryu Jun-yeol was listed as an inside director and his mother served as a representative. The company had initially purchased the land for around ₩5.8 billion, with around ₩4.8 billion financed through bank loans. After building a seven-story building on the site, the company sold the property about two years later, making a profit that was more than double its initial investment.
The situation sparked further debate when an old interview from 2019 resurfaced, when Ryu Jun-yeol was promoting the film Money. In that interview, he shared his personal views on wealth and success, affirming it people should not allow money to control their lives and that human values should come before financial gain. He also said that when fans asked him to write messages like “Get Rich” OR “Achieving Great Success” during autograph sessions he preferred to write “Be happy” Instead. The actor also said so at the time he was not particularly interested in financial management or investments and even hinted that becoming a building owner in the future seemed unlikely.
Because of these past comments, many online users are now pointing out what they see as a contradiction between his previous statements and the recent real estate deal tied to the family business. Some critics argue that the actor’s previous remarks about money appear inconsistent with the large profit generated through real estate investing. However, others defended him, saying the investment was made through a family business and does not necessarily contradict his personal philosophy on wealth.
The discussion continues to spread across social media, with fans and critics debating whether the situation represents hypocrisy or simply reflects the reality of financial decisions made behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
Sources: TV Report, MBC Straight
