Lee Jang-woo, Sundae-guk Payment Dispute

A controversy has arisen regarding unpaid supplier fees at 'Hoseokchon,' a sundae-guk (blood sausage soup) restaurant operated by actor Lee Jang-woo. A livestock distribution company, identified as Mr. A, claims they have not received over 40 million won for ingredients like pork offal for the past eight months, expressing their damages.

Mr. A stated that they had been doing business with 'Hoseokchon' from November 2023 to May 2025. While payments were initially made on time, they gradually became delayed, and some months saw no payment at all. Mr. A claims that the outstanding amount had accumulated to 64 million won as of January 2025.

Lee Jang-woo had promoted 'Hoseokchon' on various broadcasts, saying, "I boiled it myself," and "I cooked it myself," presenting it as his own restaurant. However, when the issue of unpaid bills surfaced, the F&B company 'Horangi,' where Lee Jang-woo is listed as a director, took a stance that seemed to evade responsibility, stating, "​Lee Jang-woo only participated briefly at the initial opening and has no actual involvement in the management."

In response, the victim, Mr. A, strongly protested, saying, "When you promoted it on broadcasts, you said it was my restaurant, but now when it's time to pay, you say it's a friend's restaurant?" Mr. A supplied the goods based on Lee Jang-woo's name and demanded immediate payment of the overdue amount, urging them not to shift responsibility by making excuses about the restaurant's internal affairs.

'Horangi' explained that the fault lay with Mr. B, Lee Jang-woo's friend who operated 'Hoseokchon,' suggesting that Mr. B might have embezzled the funds for ingredients. They reiterated that Lee Jang-woo is not a co-representative and only participated briefly at the initial opening. However, it is known that the outstanding amount reached 53 million won even when Lee Jang-woo appeared on 'I Live Alone' in May 2025 and introduced his friend Mr. B, with whom he co-operated the sundae-guk restaurant.