Controversy Surrounds Historical Drama Actor Accused of Abandoning Mother in Nursing Home
The online community is buzzing with controversy surrounding actor A, known for his roles in historical dramas, who is facing allegations of neglecting his elderly mother in a nursing home. On January 17, SBS's program 'Curious Story Y' aired a segment about a grandmother, referred to as 최순남 (Choi Soon-nam), who was left in a nursing home that is on the verge of closing down. Both she and her son are suffering from short-term dementia, and due to a lack of guardian consent, her discharge from the facility has been complicated. Additionally, the nursing home fees have reportedly been overdue for over a year, amounting to approximately 13 million won.
The grandmother has expressed her longing for her busy son, with their last phone call occurring on November 19 of last year, lasting only 18 seconds. She mentioned that her son told her to hang up because he was busy, but it was later revealed that he was actually in South Korea, not the United States as she believed.
The situation took a shocking turn when it was disclosed that her son is a well-known actor who debuted as a talent in the early 1980s and has appeared in numerous films and television dramas, particularly in historical genres. His identity became a topic of interest as viewers recognized his face immediately upon searching his name online.
The production team provided hints about the actor's identity by showcasing extended clips from the historical dramas he starred in, along with an interview from fellow actor 이창훈 (Lee Chang-hoon), which further fueled online speculation. Comments questioning the actor's absence from the situation circulated widely, and articles about his previous business ventures also surfaced.
Public outrage has intensified, especially since the grandmother, who had a long career in education, was eligible for a pension but had transferred her bank account to her son. This has left her without state protection, prompting concern from officials.
In response to the allegations, actor A stated, "I have debts to the nursing home and have been trying to find a way to resolve this. I couldn't reach out because I am currently dealing with panic disorder and depression, which makes communication difficult. I promise to repay my mother monthly, even if it's a small amount."
Fortunately, with the help of the production team, the grandmother has found a new place to live. A representative from the senior protection agency mentioned that they will reissue her pension account to ensure her benefits are directed appropriately and that they plan to investigate the potential for abuse before referring the case to the police.
