Debt-ridden comedian Lee Jin-ho will appear on Netflix’s new comedy show, “Comedy Revenge,” despite his illegal gambling revelations, but he will no longer be part of JTBC's “Men on a Mission,” where he was a regular cast member.

"'Comedy Revenge' is the result of the dedication and hard work of not only our comedians but also the hundreds of cast, crew and staff behind the scenes," Netflix said on Monday. "Due to the team competition format of the show, we are unable to fully edit out individual teams." Lee came under fire after he issued a public apology on Instagram on Monday regarding his gambling issue, ahead of media reports on the matter.


Set to be released on Tuesday, “Comedy Revenge” features Korea's top comedians, including Lee, in a fierce competition for the comedy crown. Eighteen comedians will form six teams and battle it out for the title.

"It would have been good to know earlier,” producer Kwon Hae-bom said about Lee’s illegal gambling during the press conference. “But we only found out after he joined the cast.”

JTBC's “Men on a Mission” announced Monday that Lee “will no longer participate in filming starting this week.” They plan to edit his existing footage as much as possible.

Lee issued a public apology on Instagram on Monday.

“I came across an illegal gambling website in 2020, and it ended up causing me severe financial hardship,” Lee said. “I was able to quit gambling thanks to advice from my acquaintances and the realization that I might have to give up the career I love.”

“I’ve been diligently repaying my debts every month and plan to continue doing so until the day I die,” Lee said. “The financial loss is painful, but what hurts more is betraying those who lent me money. I will also cooperate fully with any police investigations and accept the consequences of my actions.”

Local media outlets also reported that BTS’s Jimin lent Lee 100 million won ($74,000), a debt that remains unpaid.

Other celebrities, like trot singer Young Tak and comedian Lee Su-geun, were also revealed to have lent Lee tens of millions of won, according to Yonhap News and Ten Asia.

Lee borrowed 100 million won from Jimin in 2022 and signed a promissory note, lying about the use of the money, which was used for gambling, according to local news outlets. Jimin reportedly granted him a 10-year grace period for repayment, and the debt still remains unpaid.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]