On January 17, a court in Seoul, South Korea, sentenced singer Lee Ahreum to 8 months suspended prison with a 2-year probation period for defaming her ex-husband in front of their children and emotionally abusing them. Ahreum admitted to causing emotional harm to her ex-husband, who is currently the legal guardian of their two sons.
South Korean Singer Lee Ahreum (Photo: Sohu).
Not only Lee Ahreum but also her mother was sentenced to 4 months suspended prison with a 1-year probation for neglecting the children, allowing them to live in an unhealthy environment.
Key Developments in the Case
Lee Ahreum had previously filed a complaint against her ex-husband, accusing him of beating and neglecting their children. However, the police dismissed the allegations due to lack of evidence. In 2024, Ahreum gained significant media attention when she publicly announced her divorce and revealed a new relationship at the end of 2023.
After their divorce in December 2023, both of Ahreum’s sons (aged 5 and 3) were handed over to her ex-husband for custody. Around the same time, she publicly dated Seo Dong Hoon, but they broke up in April 2024.
In April 2024, Ahreum accused her ex-husband of abusing and mistreating her and the children, providing evidence of injuries on their bodies. She detailed how her ex-husband allegedly beat, spat on, and defecated on the faces of their children. To support her claims, Ahreum recorded her son’s testimony and shared it on social media, filing a formal complaint with the authorities.
However, the investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to convict Kim Young Geul (her ex-husband) of child abuse. It also emerged that Ahreum may have coached her son to provide false testimony. The child’s statements were inconsistent, and the injuries did not match Ahreum’s claims.
Legal Consequences
In June 2024, Lee Ahreum was charged with child abuse, abandonment, kidnapping, and enticement. The Family Court issued a restraining order prohibiting her from approaching her children within 100 meters.
Lee Ahreum and her ex-husband, businessman Kim Young Geul, married in 2019 and separated in 2023 (Photo: Naver).
Career and Personal Life
Born in 1994, Lee Ahreum launched her entertainment career in 2012 as a member of the girl group T-ara. She left the group after one year due to health reasons. After marrying businessman Kim Young Geul in 2019, Ahreum reduced her involvement in the entertainment industry. In 2022, she and her ex-husband participated in a reality TV show, revealing details about their family life.
During the divorce proceedings, Ahreum continuously provided unfavorable information about her ex-husband, accusing him of infidelity and domestic violence. Since disclosing the unhappy marriage, she has made shocking statements and actions.
Ongoing Controversies
In April 2024, Ahreum confirmed her pregnancy with her new boyfriend Seo Dong Hoon. However, the couple was accused of scamming 40 million won (approximately $738,000) from ten victims. Following the scandal, they frequently quarreled and eventually broke up. Seo Dong Hoon accused Ahreum of fabricating stories to blame her ex-husband.
Following the controversies with her ex-husband and new boyfriend, Ahreum faced a backlash from the Korean public. Fans shifted from sympathy to disappointment over the inaccurate information she had shared. Since mid-last year, she has barely appeared in any entertainment programs.
Conclusion
The case of Lee Ahreum highlights the complexities and dark sides of the personal and family lives of celebrities. Although she received a suspended sentence, the consequences of her actions continue to impact her children and those involved in the case.
