Actress Lee Ji Ah has found herself caught up in a rather complicated legal family feud involving a 35 billion KRW (~$26 million) inheritance. The dispute is centered around land left by her grandfather, who has been classified as a pro-Japanese collaborator. Talk about drama, both on and off-screen! 😱💼

The Family Feud Takes Center Stage

On February 19, Lee Ji Ah’s agency BH Entertainment confirmed the news, stating, "We are currently verifying the details of the situation." While they haven’t fully decided whether to issue a public statement, they clarified that, "As this matter does not directly involve the actress, we ask for your understanding."

But what exactly is going on? Well, it turns out Lee Ji Ah is the granddaughter of Kim Soon Heung, a figure at the heart of the controversy. The inheritance in question involves land worth an eye-popping 35 billion KRW (yes, you read that right!). This land, located in Seoksu-dong, Anyang, has sparked a legal battle among her father’s siblings.

The Accusations—Who Did What Now?

The story kicks off with Lee Ji Ah’s father, the youngest of the siblings, who is accused of forging a power of attorney document using his siblings' seals. The land, initially a military site, was eligible for a preferential repurchase under South Korea’s Special Act on the Disposal of Enemy Property. But the drama doesn't end there!

Apparently, Lee Ji Ah’s father signed a contract for 16.9 billion KRW (~$11.6 million) in mortgage, which the other siblings claim they knew nothing about! They say they were shocked when they found out about the auction listing in May 2019. The siblings filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of forgery and fraud, but the police twice declined to press charges. Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing after a thorough investigation, the family isn’t giving up, with one cousin ('A') pushing to continue the legal battle.

The Plot Thickens—A History of Controversy

There’s more to the story, though! 'A' claims that Lee Ji Ah’s father has a criminal history, including three prison sentences for document forgery and fraud, alongside a fine of 3 million KRW (~$2,083). Yikes! 😳 But of course, Lee Ji Ah’s father is firing back, claiming that he used legally obtained seals and that he was authorized to act as a proxy. The family drama is certainly heating up!

Lee Ji Ah’s Career Amidst the Storm

While her family deals with this intense legal situation, Lee Ji Ah has been busy shining in her career. She recently starred in the JTBC drama 'Queen of Divorce', which has received tons of attention, and wrapped up her fun and delightful stint on tvN’s 'The Ways of Tasting' alongside actress Kim Go Eun. 🎬💫

Despite the family’s complicated situation, Lee Ji Ah is currently reviewing offers for her next project, and we can't wait to see what she takes on next! 💖