Singer-actor Lee Seung-gi reflects on W10.5b jeonse dispute: 'I should have met a real estate expert two years ago'

Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi, who was caught up in a dispute over a 10.5 billion won ($7.88 million) jeonse deposit, has expressed regret after meeting a real estate expert and reflecting on events from two years ago.

A video posted Saturday on Lee's YouTube channel "Lee Seung-gi 2" showed him touring jeonse properties in the Gangnam area of Seoul with production staff preparing to sign a lease. Lee said he was "a victim of jeonse fraud" and stressed the importance of getting help from a real estate expert.

While touring listings and speaking with a real estate professional, Lee discovered an unexpected common bond — both had been hunting down the same cheap gas station to save on fuel costs. Delighted by the coincidence, Lee said, "I should have met you two years ago," voicing his regret.

Earlier, Lee moved into a luxury villa in Hannam-dong, Seoul, owned by Cha Ga-won, chairman of Piark Group, and his spouse, paying a jeonse deposit of 10.5 billion won in 2024. When the lease expired in August, Lee's representatives said they had not received the deposit back and announced plans for legal action. Lee's side claimed there were problems with the contract process and alleged jeonse fraud, while Cha's side has disputed those claims, including the circumstances surrounding how the contract was signed.

Drawing on his own experience, Lee said, "You don't know until you go through it yourself. You end up studying a lot." He added, "Going through this firsthand, I realized there are so many things to check that I had just assumed would be fine."

Lee said there was something more important than a home's view or interior design. "What matters most is whether you can be guaranteed to get out safely once you move in. That's the most important thing," he said, advising prospective tenants to verify that their deposit will be protected through the end of the contract.