South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, known for his role in the hit series “Squid Game,” reportedly fell victim to a burglary at his Los Angeles home on January 28. 

The 53-year-old was away when a member of his team discovered that the property had been ransacked, according to TMZ. The intruders reportedly gained access by smashing a sliding glass door. 

No one was hurt during the incident, but the extent of the loss remains unclear. The actor and his wife plan to assess the situation further upon their return, collaborating with police to determine what items, if any, were taken.

Authorities suspect the burglary was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern targeting affluent neighbourhoods in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officials believe the burglars likely chose his residence due to it being located in an affluent area rather than specifically targeting the actor himself.

“This appears to be the act of one of the robbers who break into [houses in] wealthy areas around Los Angeles,” the police said. 

Following the news of the burglary, Lee’s agency BH Entertainment released a brief statement on the afternoon of the same day. Unfortunately, due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing police investigation, the statement remained limited in specifics.

“It is true that there was a break-in at Lee Byung Hun’s home in the United States, but it has been confirmed that there was no damage,” the statement read.

In 2019, Lee purchased the residence, reportedly located near the popular tourist destination Universal Studios. The property, said to be well-suited for a family of five or six, was acquired for an estimated $2 million.

The incident followed a recent spate of similar incidents targeting affluent areas in the city. Just weeks prior, actress and comedian Lena Waithe experienced a break-in at her $ 6.4 million West Hollywood mansion. She lost approximately $200,000 worth of jewellery. 

The 39-year-old comedian and writer was out of town at the time of the incident. The theft was discovered the following day. 

Keeping HNWI residences safe

While these recent incidents happened in the US, affluent areas in the UK are not immune to targeted burglary, fraud, and other crimes. 

According to Home Office figures, robberies soared by 26 percent in the country’s wealthiest areas compared to an 11 percent rise elsewhere. Meanwhile, another investigation by The National revealed that central London, one of the wealthiest parts of the U.K., experienced higher rates of theft, robbery, and knife crime than the rest of the city.

Living in an affluent area comes with its perks, but also increased security concerns for high-net-worth (HNWI) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNWIs) residents. Recent incidents like Lee’s highlight the vulnerability of sliding glass doors, often a prised feature in these homes. While beautiful, these doors can be an entry point for criminals if not adequately secured. 

Traditional sliding glass doors have inherent security flaws. Their typical design features one fixed panel and another that slides open, often secured by a flimsy latch that hooks onto the frame. This mechanism presents an easy bypass for determined burglars.

While stylish and practical, sliding glass doors can attract unwanted attention. Homeowners can install a sturdy metal bar on the track to block unauthorised entry or replace the doors with impact-resistant ones. One-way mirrored films can also provide clear outward visibility while obscuring the interior from prying eyes.

For comprehensive security installation, HNWIs and UHNWIs can hire security firms like Marengo. They can assess each residence’s security weaknesses, create a customised security plan, implement the ideal tools, and deploy security personnel where needed. These can help enhance a property’s security from burglars targeting affluent areas.