�is under suspicions of receiving prime rate loans and having ties to

SM Entertainment had received loans from Kookmin Bank�at an incredibly low rate. They received 4,496 million KRW at a 1.95% interest rate, and then 19.8 billion KRW at a 2.37% interest rate, and then 7.8 billion KRW at a 2.51% interest rate. However, if things were processed normally, the base loan rate for Kookmin Bank is 1.5%, and then with the risk added on, the interest rate should be at minimum 3%.

Kookmin Bank argued that SM's credit evaluation was excellent and as their business scale grew, they received discounts by using Kookmin Bank as the main bank. However, other banks disagree, stating that even the best credit evaluation of AAA could not bring such rates.





Suspicions have come up that SM Entertainment's Lee Soo Man's ties to Choi Soon Shil might have brought about the incredibly low rates. When contacted by Kuki News, SM Entertainment refused to make a statement.