Singer and entertainer Kim Jong Min has opened up about a mishap involving a missing wedding gift for fellow television personality and MMA fighter Kim Dong Hyun, suggesting his former manager may have embezzled the cash gift intended for the groom.
The revelation came during the July 9 episode of Channel A's variety show Trendy Men's Lifestyle, where Kim Jong Min joined Kim Dong Hyun and comedian Moon Se-yoon for a candid discussion on friendship, marriage, and fatherhood.
As the trio reminisced over past events, Kim Dong Hyun brought up his 2018 wedding and questioned whether Kim Jong Min had given a congratulatory gift.
"Honestly, I checked the guest list and the names of those who gave cash gifts," Kim said.
"Your name wasn't there. I didn't want to be rude by giving more than someone who gave a lot, so I looked closely, but I couldn't find your name."
Kim Jong Min, seemingly caught off guard, replied, "When did you get married?" before confirming he had indeed attended the event and posed for photos.
"I definitely did not forget to give a wedding gift," he insisted. "If I attended, I absolutely would have given something."
Moon Se Yoon attempted to mediate, suggesting, "Maybe he transferred it directly to your bank account." Kim added, "That's usually how I do it."
However, back in the studio, Kim Jong Min revisited the topic and admitted he found no bank record of the transaction. "This isn't an excuse," he said.
"At the time, I gave the gift to my manager to pass along. I went straight into the venue and asked him to deliver it. But he had a history of making mistakes with this kind of thing."
Although Kim did not name the individual, speculation quickly pointed to his former manager.
The claim is backed by past comments from fellow Koyote member Bbaekga, who stated during a 2021 appearance on the Cultwo Show that their manager had a history of pocketing congratulatory money.
"Our manager was pocketing the congratulatory money," Bbaekga said.
He reaffirmed the claim again in 2023.
After hearing the full story, Moon Se Yoon remarked, "This is a well-known incident," while singer Lee Seung Chul joked, "Then shouldn't you pay him back now?" prompting laughter from the cast.
Kim Dong Hyun responded with grace, saying, "I must have missed it," to which Kim Jong Min offered a heartfelt apology, "He even blamed himself. I felt so sorry."
The episode has since gone viral on social media, prompting discussions about the trust between celebrities and their staff, and the common practice in Korea of entrusting managers with cash gifts for events like weddings and funerals.
