23-05-2025
Old Scandals Resurface Amid Son Heung-min's Abortion Row
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Just like Son Heung-min, South Korean celebrities like Kim Seon Ho and Kim Hyun Joong were previously accused of forcing "abortion" on their former partners.
South Korean football icon Son Heung-min became the centre of a controversy. The captain of Tottenham Hotspur is in the headlines due to his ex-girlfriend. Son's former girlfriend reportedly claimed she was pregnant in June last year. Though the paternity test results were never revealed, the footballer paid her 300 million KRW and had her sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), upon which she terminated her pregnancy.
Later, the ex-girlfriend's new partner got to know about the NDA and tried to blackmail Son Heung-min for another 70 million KRW. This led to a police complaint and, ultimately, jail time for the blackmailer. As the situation unfolded, many noticed an eerie similarity to past celebrity scandals, especially the deeply sensitive issue of forced abortion. Here are other South Korean celebrities who were embroiled in such controversies.
Kim Seon Ho
Back in 2021, actor Kim Seon Ho, who became popular for his role in Hometown Cha Cha Cha, faced serious allegations from his ex-girlfriend, who claimed he forced her to have an 'abortion". After the incident came to light, the actor faced immense backlash from the public, which even led him to take a hiatus from the industry. Later, an investigation by Dispatch, known for its celebrity exposes, revealed that the claims made by his girlfriend were baseless.
They reported that Kim Seon Ho broke up with his girlfriend upon knowing about her infidelity. Moreover, the abortion was mutually agreed upon. Following the report, Kim Seon Ho bounced back with notable projects like The Tyrant and When Life Gives You Tangerines.
Kim Hyun Joong
Kim Hyun Joong, who is known for his role in Lee Min Ho starrer Boys Over Flowers, faced even more serious accusations. His former partner accused him of physical abuse and pressuring her into an 'abortion". She sought massive damages in court and also gave birth to their child in 2015. However, after a long legal fight, the South Korean Supreme Court ruled in favour of Kim in 2020, stating that her claims were unfounded.
The court also ordered her to pay 100 million KRW in damages to Kim. The actor-singer returned to acting in 2024 with the Japanese-Korean drama titled Time Without Her.
Heo Ung
Basketball player Heo Ung of the Busan KCC Egis faced a similar situation. In June 2024, his ex-girlfriend accused him of coercing her into two abortions and continued to extort money from him for three years, even breaking up with him in 2021. She threatened to go public unless he paid her. Eventually, the basketball player filed a lawsuit against her at Gangnam Police Station for blackmail and defamation. After a thorough investigation, the authorities found that the woman's claims were false, and she used them for financial gain. The case was ultimately dismissed.
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