Nooooooooo

This sucks. I only watch 1n2d out of all the shows he hosts but he's such an integral part of the show. Even that one episode where Suguen and him could of went home and the hosting duties were left to Seungi and that felt awkward. He'll be missed a lot. I feel like crying :(

Oh man. I really feel like crying, I have just started watching Strong Heart and 1N2D. Why!!!!????

Respect that he took responsibility like a man, even though he could have shirk it on others such as his accountants. A break to concentrate on self rediscovery and family will do good. On a side note Lee Seung Gi should go complete his military service now, then join his mentor together in a comeback together.

Sad to hear this, but I kinda expected this to happen :(

He's been a huge presence on Korean TV and he'll be sorely missed - but didn't he contract to join another network? And won't he still be going there?

I'm finding it rather puzzling about his non-payment of taxes. With the kind of money he's pulling in, isn't it taken for granted that he'd have professional people handling his finances? So, he's taking the fall for someone else's incompetence? Because if he's shouldering the blame then that's just admitting that he is responsible for non-payment of what he knew he owed.

This is what surprises me the most. He never, EVER came across as unethical.

This is really sad. Do you think he knowingly evaded his taxes or this is another example of Korean netizens jumping the gun and crucifying someone over some misunderstandings?

I feel like Kang Ho Dong is a very good example of how even having some of the most IMMENSE fame in Korea can't save you from having your career ruined in the blink of an eye. I'm sad for 1N2D and for Kang Ho Dong. Hopefully he returns and doesn't disappear into nothing.

but did he really do it?
i don't know about you, but if i was making millions, i wouldn't want to handle my taxes.

rather pay someone. i feel like he's just taking all the responsibilities and maybe he wasn't whole heartedly his fault

omg *panics...kang hodong oppa...dont leave! but you know the seungi going to the military and coming back with hodong is a cool idea...but i'm not sure im prepared to lose both of them at the same time...

.......no....*sigh* no.........

He did have someone who was paid to do his taxes. When it came to light that there was money owing in the back, he started to making amends. I'm still shocked that its come to this. I'm glad they'll be doing a farewell episode...to just disappear from the screen is too distasteful and hurtful.

Ho Dong oppa. :(

while i think he probably did know (it's his money, after all, and tax evasion is nothing new among the wealthy), i'm surprised by the fierceness of the reaction. i mean, i would be upset if some guy wasn't pulling his weight, but it's not as if people haven't done it before, and some of those crucifying him are probably also evading taxes (and i'm not talking about just the industry; netizens are among the worst hypocrites i've ever seen).
i'm not trying to justify his actions (daughter of an accountant... my father would turn over in his grave if he thought i supported tax evasion), but it's not as surprising as it could've been, and it certainly doesn't warrant the reaction that it's getting.

The sad thing (for me) is that my sister just told me that she is a Ho-dong's fan yesterday.She started watching 1N2D because of me.

I think he wanted a break even before all this tax evasion issues. Because he's one of the busiest MCs in SK and has too much on his plate. I'm not sure about him, but MC Yoo has voiced in an episode of IC that he has no time for himself.

And I think a temporary leave would do him good, case in point: Choi Min Soo.

i don't know what the readers here do for a living but there's a huge difference when youre making 30, 40, 50 grand a year and 30+ million(what KHD is making)/year in terms of taxes. to say he didnt know what was going on is bs. that's why he's doing all this before it snowballs out of control. swallow the bitter pill now before more dirty laundry gets aired out. no one likes paying taxes period doesnt matter how much you make and he just effed up. the reason why ppl hire accounts is so that they pay least amount of taxes possible. and you have to remember KBS is a state run station and his salary is paid for with taxes from the every joe.

I think some Koreans are on crack ...and they are high as a kite or more
I don't get it why they feel the need to sink the very few ppl who can carry on the Hallyu wave - it's not like they have the best variety shows around, but there are a few which are viewed overseas too

a few days ago someone from SME's management said that Hallyu can keep up with the task 3 to 5 years... however if at home they shut down the biggest stars one by one ... I wonder HOW?

these are internal issues, therefore as a foreign viewer I don't care about their legal system, even more I condemn the fact they can't handle this kind of issue without so much noise

In a way I'm pissed off by this attitude (ermm I know it is the tradition and culture but it is too hard for me to understand, even though I have some accounting studies)

PPL you have only one small window to promote you culture, because NOW other ppl are interested in your showbiz - usually it is a very short time: see the Japan's culture in other countries: they had a boom, a slow down, another boom and now another slow down: it is easy!!! ppl love brand new items, after a while just forget about: this is the fate in showbiz

I saw this on another site and was shocked.

Yes, he did wrong but surely paying the money owed, giving a heartfelt apology and doing some charity work would be enough to make amends-how about make him work for no pay for a bit-sorry Kang but I don't want to lose you but still think you need to do something to show remorse.

With him 'retiring' whole programs will collapse, his colleagues will be left without work, and us viewers will be be left without the programs we love so much.

I know it was Kang's decision but think the industry has just stabbed itself in the back by forcing him to take this drastic step.

No one can replace Kang.

Hoping this all passes quickly and he returns to our screens soon.

In Korea, there is no room for mistakes. Once you do one thing wrong, it's the end of your career. Such as Shin Jung Hwan, a comedian, gambled in some south eastern asian country and now his career's over. He used to be a very funny and entertaining guy, but once you mess up, you can't return. I only think there's a few exceptions like Hyesung, from Shinhwa, who was involved in gambling, too. But it seems that Shinhwa is coming back in 2012.

Anyway, back to Kang Hodong, It stinks he will be leaving the show when it is about to end in 6 months anyway. I feel like the whole korean media might be falling apart...

Tax evasion? Are you serious? That seems like the easiest charge to avoid...just pay your taxes. We all hate it, but what can we do? I hope this is resolved quickly and he makes amends -- which I thoroughly believe he will do. Love me some Kang Ho Dong...hmmm - a thought that just formulated - maybe the earlier reports of him 'leaving' the show was him trying to avoid this scandal coming to light since he had already had some warning signs about it becoming public knowledge. It is all just so sudden and one after the other. What was the original source of the accusation?

Aren't there laws protecting people from having their tax information revealed by the media?

Aww! I hope this doesn't effect him to much. I hope his fans stick with him. Heres to a quick and happy return! *clinks glass*

It's just temporary, right? He'll be back, right? NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I'm so broken. This is hot topic for tonight, and I'm already in tears as well as all of my twitter friends.. *hugs GF dan JB* how can 1n2d running WITHOUT HIM? How the baby bear do without Papa Bear?

Seriously, K-netizen and media, you make victim everyday. But why must Ho Dong? Take blood from somebody else!! Oppa,please don't go!!! TT_____TT

Sob.. Sob.. In September last year we abruptly bid farewell to MC Mong and now in September this year, we have to say goodbye to Kang Ho Dong. And yet again the 1n2d brothers have to deal with the loss of their brother and continue carrying the burden of 1n2d with 5 members only.

Is it true that the netizens reported Ho Dong's tax evasion to the media?

Everything seems to make sense now as he was trying to exit 1n2d after shooting the 3rd viewers trip, it looks like he already knew beforehand that if this information got leaked out to the media, the timing would be around this time.

It's sad and upsetting. But he's a man full of dignity and I believe he'll be back stronger than ever.

Hopefully when he's back, MC Mong will be back too and together with the other 1n2d brothers, they can revive 1n2d or do other show together.

Oh, this is ridiculous, especially since as a celebrity, I doubt he takes care of his own taxes. There's no one currently in the MC field with the energy and humor and sharpness of Ho-dong. I am incredibly heartbroken right now!

Timing-wise, it does seem suspicious.

When KHD planned to leave 1N2D, the investigation was already underway for many months.

His apology, now, and declaration to temporarily retire from the industry, only makes me believe that he may be guilty (knowingly) as charged. Kim Ah-joong was also fined for failing to properly disclose her income, and as far as I'm aware, she has not declared her intention to retire or to do anything of even lesser degree to show her remorse, etc. I know she's not at the same level as KHD, but just putting that out there.

Granted, the backlash will be severe, but if you're truly not guilty, I think you would do something like work without pay, and/or community service, rather than just up and leave. It's odd to me that 1N2D would shoot a farewell episode, if the reason why KHD made the executive decision to retire from the industry is to minimize the backlash. I don't fully grasp the atmosphere in S.K. regarding this scandal, but if the nation is in hate-mode against KHD, why would 1N2D shoot a special farewell episode? It's like throwing a good-bye party for a dishonorably discharged soldier. Isn't this akin to shooting a special farewell episode for MC Mong when that whole scandal erupted? (As a more recent 1N2D fan, I actually don't know how MC Mong's exit was handled, but I'm thinking not by a farewell episode.)

*tears*

http://1n2dfansubs.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/%E2%80%991-night-2-days%E2%80%99-cast-members-accompany-kang-ho-dong-to-the-press-conference/

with all the bad news- leaving kbs.. retirement etc ...don't want to watch 2 days and 1 night anymore ... kang hodong huhuuhuhuuhuhuhuuhuhuhuhu so sad for you

oh man, but i'm pretty sure he'll come back before 6 months is over. He should be present in the last episode of 1N2D.

First Mong, now Hodong. :-( At least Hodong will get a farewell episode.

And not to nitpick, but millions of won =/= millions of dollars. Wesley Snipes owed millions of dollars which is why he was put on trial for tax evasion and faces jail time. Snipes also didn't pay his back taxes once he was caught by the IRS. That doesn't seem to be what Hodong is doing.

i was streaming kbs able last night fr some background noise (hehhh) n didnot really pay any attention to d news, but i did saw his press conference n was puzzled since i've zero korean.

I'm sad to hear this. He's always been so entertaining and good at what he does. If he really did evade paying his taxes then he needs to take responsibility for doing that, which he seems to be doing, although I don't see why he has to retire (temporarily or not) from the entire entertainment industry. Maybe just stop appearing on state sponsored TV...

This seems like another scandal that highlights something I find problematic in the entertainment industry in Korea and in other Asian countries: the public holds entertainers to such *unrealistically* high moral standards that those figures are bound to disappoint sooner or later, and when they do disappoint it will inevitably be a 'catastrophic' situation. The longer you go scandal free, the greater your downfall will be once it comes.

I understand and respect that Asian cultures are different from western cultures and that Korean culture is unique too. I just think that there is nothing inherently more moral or virtuous about being an entertainer so if one of them messes up I think they should take responsibility (pay the fine, go to court/jail or whatever), but I don't understand the need to decry them in such a harsh way.

Everyone has faults and makes mistakes and does wrong. I just wish the response to these kinds of situations were a little more measured. Tax evasion is wrong, but look at that last photo of KHD– it's heartbreaking. The man looks like he's apologizing for committing a murder and inside he probably feels that way given the scrutiny he's under.

Anyway I wish him the best and I hope he can pay what he owes and get his affairs in order. There's still a lot of life left to live.

Aww, hope that Kang Ho-dong can bounce back from this and come back soon. I just started watching 1 Night, 2 Days too. *Sigh* Definitely won't be the same without him, but at least they're having a farewell episode for him.

http://1n2dfansubs.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/industry-defends-kang-ho-dong-against-rumors-saying-he-earns-30-million-usd-a-year/

Basically this says he hired an accountant, and there was some misunderstanding. I don't get why Kang Ho Dong would lie, he seems like a very moral and ethical person to me. Misunderstandings and mistakes happen everyday to everyone.

While he does sign the checks, I can vouch for the fact that as a tax paying citizen, when I go to my accountant, I usually believe what he says because I assume that he is good at his job. And on top of that like I mentioned, miscommunication happens. Even the best people at their jobs make mistakes. Why do people need to be driven out of their jobs for it? Kang Ho Dong has never had a scandal before. His record has been clean.

I just started watching 1 night 2 days recently, but I have always been a Kang Ho Dong fan (ever since xman, I have loved him, Yoo Jae Suk and all the MCs). It makes me very sad to see him leave the show, and even more sad he is leaving the other shows.

In a way, leaving the entertainment industry is a good thing. Being around negative energy never helps and pulls performances down. I hope he comes back with a bang and shine even brighter than before. That's the least he deserves after all these years of hard work. And I wish the best to the 1n2d team, as i will watch them even without Kang Ho dong.

Kang Ho Dong!! Fighting!!

It's a conspiracy! The SBS exec whom he met just a couple of days ago was blackmailing him to stay with the show (1N2D) and not jump ship, but he refused, so they ruined his career by leaking this information to the media. If they can't have him, no one will!!!!

I think I've been watching Myung Wol the Spy too much

Seriously, though, I hope this all blows over. Even though I find the guy annoying at times, he's still one of the key figures in Korean variety entertainment.

This show and its depressing downfall is going to be the death of me. I love Kang Ho-dong and just hope he gets what he needs from this (hopefully) short break. My mind still boggles over how all this news has developed though - first, he's holding all the cards, and supposedly has the ability to reshape the landscape of cable television - then we find he's withdrawing himself completely from entertainment, and not exactly by his own choice. Depressing. I have no idea how the remaining five are going to manage without such a vibrant, friendly, dedicated host.

Quick - someone grab MC Mong's manager again!! I know they said they're not going to replace him, but seriously, the thought of those 5 carrying on by themselves seems impossible.

*sigh*

September seems to be the bad month for this show.

I'll be amazed if this thing even lasts till February now.

HO DONG FIGHTING!!!! WHAT A HUGE DOWNFALL FOR THE HALLYU WAVE.... HO DONG IS SUCH A HUMONGOUS PART OF SO KOREAN ENTERTAINMENT.... THE SHOWS HE'S IN ARE PART AND PARCEL OF THE PROLIFERATION OF KOREAN ENTERTAINMENT INTO THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA...

...LEARN AND RISE UP WHERE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED... HO DONG FIGHTING!!!!

Hodong! :(

bo fricken hoo. you all know he knows the score. yes, he is a talented host, and is fun to watch, but that does not make him above the law. tax evasion is the dumbest of all moves. it makes you petty, short sighted, and greedy. if you know you are in the spotlight, you should overpay and get a return. cheating makes you an ass in front of millions who are busting their butts to make ends meet, given the world economic climate. i'm not for or against the korean tax code, as i don't know it's rules, however, i'm pretty damn sure hodong and his management/accountants do.

NO.

Kang Ho-dong oppa, don't go. I feel like the other members are moons orbiting a planet.... and without you there'll be no pull, no center.

This is so unfair! And the picture of Kang Ho-dong crying....

I. Don't. Want. Goodbye.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooo just6 more months
why media WHYYYYYYYYY

all korean business seems to be done with dodgy stuff going on. slush funds and pay off and the like are more the normal than the opposite, so I am guessing yes he did know he was 'bending' the laws, but was perhaps advised..ow every one dose so it will be ok. Perhaps because of his buffoon loud honest image it comes as a shock, but behind the image is a real person, and thus just as likely to make mistakes because of greed as anyone else.
I have been a bit anti against him since his tv show strong heart and the Jang Nara chinese scandal that followed her appearance on the show, and the wrong subs the show used for airing in china. I always felt both he [as her senior, he known her since her début]and the show should have taken more responsibility for the attacks and loss Jang Nara had to suffer for something she never really even said.
But for that he been around so long and been in so many great shows, I still can not feel sorry for him, now he too feels the harsh bite of a possible career ending scandal, though one, unlike Jang Nara's he did bring on himself.

awww... just started to watch korean shows.. watched a few epis of 1d2n, and already cannot imagine the show without him.. >.<

besides 1d2n.. the other shows he's hosting will be even worse right.. at least 1d2n still has 5 ppl.. then the other shows without him can just end totally??! ):

of course he did wrong, and should have his punishment.. but this sort of punishment.. kind of = punishment on fans of his shows too.. just.. a bit sad..

Seriously? I hate to point fingers but... Didn't they say the accountants handle his taxes? It doesn't make sense a beloved dude like Kang Hodong would purposely do something that would hurt his image and his career. It's lame for me to push the blame onto others just because I adore the hell out of the guy, but really? Seriously? This is messed up. X/

i'm more worried about his other shows like Star King... at least in 1M2D there are still 5 MCs remaining... and Star King has a big following outside of Korea inasmuch as foreign talents audition to appear on Star King...

what happens now? :(

my sentiments exactly...i was just getting over the pain of knowing in six months my beloved show will be over and now this....it sems like the agony is never ending...how i wish kang hodong shii can go on...but i know what it feels like to be judged and how terrible it made me feel in private ...and i can not imagine how much more difficut, heartwrenching it must be when it is done in public...i just hope he knows how much he is loved and how much joy he has given me and everyone else who were priveleged enough to experience his quick wit and humour. sarangae kang hodong shii...please come back as soon as possible. we will miss you terribly