Singer Shin Hye-sung, of Shinhwa fame, has re-emerged in the headlines after reports revealed he is in the process of selling a building he bought in Seoul’s affluent Nonhyeon-dong area. The update comes as an extended hiatus continues following multiple scandals.
According to a Hankook Ilbo report published on October 31, the building registered under the company “Apple-Eating Dinosaur Co., Ltd.”, of which Shin Hye-sung and his mother are listed as directors, was originally purchased in May 2022 for ₩4.9 billion (about US$3.5 million).
The property, which spans 180.9 ㎡ (about 55 pyeong), was a multi-family house at the time of purchase, but has since undergone major renovation and expansion works. The building is currently for sale at ₩5.7–6.3 billion, reflecting a potential profit margin of ₩800 million–1.4 billion.
However, analysts suggest that once purchase taxes, construction and financing costs are taken into account, the actual profit may be minimal, framing the sale as a form of asset restructuring across its corporate entity rather than a major financial gain.
Shin Hye-sung debuted with Shinhwa in 1998, one of K-pop’s longest-running boy groups. Its image, once linked to the refined and mature charm of the group, has suffered serious damage following a series of legal disputes.
In October 2022, he was caught driving under the influence and using an unauthorized vehicle, later receiving a six-month prison sentence with one year of probation. This was not his first offence, he had faced a drink-driving charge in 2007 and had been fined ₩10 million for overseas gambling in Macau the same year.
Following the 2022 incident, Shin Hye-sung retired from public activities and has not released new material since. His brief appearance, partially obscured KBS2TVthe reality program Mr. husband of the house 2 aroused curiosity and criticism.
Sources: Daum
