The actress, known for her past membership in the group Sugar, has been accused of misappropriating roughly 4.3 billion won from company funds. Prosecutors are seeking a 3-year jail term.

According to information from legal sources on the 21st, the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office has proposed a 3-year imprisonment for Hwang during the final proceedings concerning her violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement). The trial was held at the Jeju District Court's Criminal Division 2, presided over by Judge Lim Jae-nam.

Hwang is charged with embezzling approximately 4.34 billion won from company finances, including around 700 million won that Hunminjeongeum Entertainment borrowed. She invested these funds in cryptocurrency, presenting them as advance payments, starting in early 2022.

It has been reported that she directed about 4.2 billion won of the misappropriated funds into cryptocurrency, while the remainder was allocated to pay for property and local taxes, among other expenditures.

The agency involved is a family-run business where Hwang owns 100% of the shares and is the only artist represented.

Hwang has confirmed all allegations and is said to have reimbursed the sums taken as advance payments from Hunminjeongeum Entertainment by June 5. Relevant documents were presented to the Jeju District Court.

Hwang's legal team has requested leniency, arguing that "The defendant aimed to expand the company through the investment. She was unaware of proper accounting and procedures, assuming repayment would rectify any wrongdoing, which led to the offense. There are no additional victims, and the full amount has been restored, so we seek leniency."

Hwang's sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 25th of the following month.