The employees claimed on social media that Son had visited their club with Bayern Munich players after a match last year and spent 30 million won ($20,490) on drinks. According to police and Son’s management agency, these claims were entirely fabricated, and the Tottenham Hotspur forward did not visit the club or pay for any drinks.
The case has now been handed over to prosecutors by the Gangnam Police Station on Monday.
The controversy began on Aug. 3 last year, shortly after a friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The nightclub employees posted on social media that Son and Bayern Munich players had visited their club and that Son had generously picked up a 30 million won tab for drinks.
Their post read, “Today, the Bayern Munich players are at our club! I even brought my uniform and a marker to get an autograph. Son Heung-min paid for the drinks today. With his weekly salary of 330 million won, spending 30 million won at a nightclub is like an office worker earning 3 million won spending just 60,000 won for drinks.”
The posts quickly went viral, drawing attention to the club but also triggering backlash against Son from people who believed the claims. Some criticized him for flaunting his wealth, while others questioned his decision to visit a nightclub after a match.
Son Heung-min’s agency, Son & Football Limited, on Aug. 8, filed a formal complaint with the Gangnam Police Station, accusing the nightclub employees of defamation and disruption of business.
In a statement at the time, the agency said, “Son Heung-min did not visit the club, nor did he make any payments. These false claims have caused significant damage to his exemplary image, which he has built through years of hard work. They have also interfered with our efforts to promote and market him based on the reputation and brand value he has earned.”
