Lee Jang-woo's side, recording of intermediary company's non-payment of funds

Actor Lee Jang-woo's side has actively clarified the allegations of unpaid ingredient costs, stating they are contrary to the facts. A representative from F&B Horangi, which operates the restaurant 'Hoseokchon' with Lee Jang-woo, stated, "The payment was made to Mujin, with whom the meat supplier A company, claiming damages, had a contract, but Mujin failed to pay A company." They added, "Hoseokchon did not directly contract with the meat supplier; the contract was with Mujin, and Hoseokchon paid Mujin."

Previously, one media outlet raised suspicions that Hoseokchon caused damage to livestock farmers by failing to pay for delivered pork offal. The report claimed that the unpaid amount from November 2023 to May of last year was 50 million won, and although some was repaid afterward, additional outstanding payments reached 64 million won as of January of this year.

In response, Lee Jang-woo's side explained, "We have paid all the costs for the meat purchased from Mujin, paying over 400 million won for the meat. It appears Mujin failed to pay A company due to management reasons." Furthermore, regarding reports that Hoseokchon's owner changed from Mujin to Horangi, they refuted, stating it is untrue, Mujin never operated Hoseokchon, and there were no shareholder changes. The claim that Lee Jang-woo only participated in the early stages of the opening is also false, and they emphasized that he is currently passionately involved in the restaurant's operations.

As evidence to refute the allegations, Lee Jang-woo's side revealed, "We have a recording of a phone call between the media outlet that raised the allegations and the CEO of Mujin. It includes a part where he says, 'I received the payment from Lee Jang-woo's side and couldn't pay it myself.'" They also added, "Although we did not fail to pay, we are considering paying the amount on their behalf to resolve the situation."

Lee Jang-woo's agency, Hook Entertainment, also issued an official statement, explaining, "Hoseokchon has already paid the full amount of the delivery costs to its contractual partner, Mujin Co., Ltd., and the problem arose when Mujin subsequently failed to pay A company." They clarified, "There is no direct contractual relationship between A company and Hoseokchon or actor Lee Jang-woo, and the reports suggesting actor Lee Jang-woo failed to pay are untrue."