Huh Kyung-hwan settles management of 'Heodak', which has 70 billion won in annual sales...

Comedian Heo Kyung-hwan announced that he is stepping down from the management of 'Heodak,' the chicken breast brand he has operated for 15 years, and is currently active as the brand's model. Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Malicious Resident Jung Il-young,' Heo candidly shared the background of his business restructuring and the economic hardships he faced in the past.

Stepping down from 'Heodak' after 15 years... Currently active as a brand model

In a video released on the 1st, Heo Kyung-hwan shared his current status, saying, "After operating Heodak for 15 years, I am now only serving as the model." He explained that his management rights were settled during a corporate merger last year, and since the merger, his role as a manager has diminished, leading him to focus on his role as a brand model.

Currently, he is maintaining active broadcasting activities, hosting 4 to 5 fixed programs. In particular, he is expanding his presence as an entertainer by joining as a fixed member of MBC's 'Hangout with Yoo' in 2026.

Attracting attention as a successful celebrity entrepreneur with 70 billion won in annual sales

Founded in 2010, 'Heodak' showed rapid growth, occupying a unique position in the chicken breast and healthy convenience food market. At one point, it was cited as a representative success story of celebrity entrepreneurship, recording 70 billion won in annual sales. In 2022, it proved its corporate value by signing an M&A agreement worth approximately 100 billion won with the convenience food company FreshZ.

Confession of 2.7 billion won fraud damage caused by a business partner's embezzlement

Behind the successful business lay painful trials. Heo Kyung-hwan confessed that he was once a victim of fraud amounting to approximately 2.7 billion won by a business partner he trusted. This incident was related to the embezzlement of company funds by the partner, and he shared that he suffered extreme psychological trauma at the time, to the point where he could not even answer calls from unknown numbers.

Advice to fellow celebrities: "Be cautious with business proposals, just act as a figurehead"

Based on his experience, Heo Kyung-hwan offered realistic warnings to his fellow celebrities. He emphasized being cautious of business proposals from those around him, saying, "Celebrities often end up taking the fall even when they aren't doing anything."

He offered experiential advice, stating, "I suffered greatly because I was too embarrassed to speak up. I was defrauded," adding that if one must participate in a business, it is safer to remain in a role as a 'figurehead' rather than being swayed by proposals that seek to exploit one's popularity.