7-Year-Old Buys Yoo Ah-in’s $48 Million Home in Cash: Parents Face Child Abuse Allegations

A 7-year-old child purchasing actor Yoo Ah-in’s Itaewon home for 6.3 billion won ($48 million) in cash has sparked public outrage and a police investigation. The child’s parents, Park Hwa-mok and Lee Soo-hyun, founders of the fashion brand Mardi Mercredi, are now under scrutiny for potential child abuse.

According to exclusive reports on January 22, the case has been assigned to the Women and Juvenile Crime Division at the Seoul Jungbu Police Station. Investigators are focusing on whether the parents misused their child’s identity for financial transactions without the child’s consent.

Park and Lee, founders of Peace Piece Studio in 2018, registered their daughter as a shareholder in the company. Last year, the brand secured a 50 billion won investment, during which the child’s shares were reportedly sold, yielding a significant profit. These funds were then used to purchase Yoo Ah-in’s house in cash, without any loans.

Critics argue that the child’s registration as a shareholder and subsequent use of her finances to purchase a high-value property could qualify as exploitation. The complainant claims the actions were conducted without the child’s awareness or consent, potentially violating child protection laws.

The parents have yet to be interrogated, but the company has denied involvement, stating, “We are unaware of these allegations.”

Mardi Mercredi, known for its trendy designs and savvy social media marketing, has grown rapidly, with sales jumping from 9 billion won in 2020 to 68.7 billion won in 2023. Despite the company’s success, the revelation has stirred public debate.

Online reactions have been divided. Some question the validity of the allegations, with comments like, “Buying a house for your child is hardly abuse; I wouldn’t mind being ‘abused’ like this.” Others argue it raises ethical concerns about the misuse of a child’s identity for financial gain.

Meanwhile, Yoo Ah-in, who is facing unrelated charges of drug use, is scheduled to attend a court hearing on January 24 regarding his pretrial detention. This case continues to unfold, and authorities are expected to summon the parents for further questioning.

With the spotlight on both Yoo Ah-in’s legal battles and the ethical implications of the parents’ actions, this case has captured nationwide attention.