Latest news with #SouthKoreanSupremeCourt
News18
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Old Scandals Resurface Amid Son Heung-min's Abortion Row
Last Updated: 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. First Published:
Pink Villa
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kim Seon Ho, Kim Hyun Joong and more celebs' girlfriend abortion controversies resurface amid Son Heung Min scandal
K-drama actors like Kim Seon Ho, Kim Hyun Joong and more were embroiled in massive scandals in the past, regarding the treatment of their former partners. Recently, a case involving footballer Son Heung Min's girlfriend and allegations of extortion has drawn comparisons to these past scandals. Netizens have noted similarities between the scandals, particularly pointed out a common sensitive issue in all of them– allegations of forced abortion. Son Heung Min's ex-girlfriend abortion controversy Son Heung Min, who recently lifted the Europa League Cup as the proud Tottenham Hotspur captain, is currently making headlines for another issue as well. His former partner claimed pregnancy, with undisclosed paternity test results. He reportedly paid her 300 million KRW and had her sign an NDA. Her new partner allegedly tried to blackmail him for an additional 70 million KRW, leading to a police complaint and their imprisonment. Besides him several other South Korean celebrities, including popular actors like Kim Seon Ho and Kim Hyun Joong and basketball player Heo Woong have been under heavy scrutiny following their ex-girlfriend's bombshell accusations against them. All of them faced similar controversies in recent years that drew significant public attention and sparked widespread discussion. Read to know about their cases. Kim Seon Ho's ex-girlfriend abortion controversy In 2021, Kim Seon Ho faced controversy over allegations of pressuring his ex-girlfriend to have an abortion, which led to immense backlash and his temporary hiatus from the acting scene. However, an investigation by K-media outlet Dispatch found the claims to be baseless, revealing instead that Kim Seon Ho ended the relationship after discovering his girlfriend's infidelity. The abortion also reportedly took place on their mutual agreement. Following the clarification, Kim Seon Ho's career rebounded, with new projects, increased social media following, and support from industry peers, marking a notable comeback. Kim Hyun Joong's ex-girlfriend abortion controversy Boys Over Flowers' iconic second lead, Yoon Ji Hoo (Kim Hyun Joong), was embroiled in a scandal, with former partner accusing him of physically a*saulted her and coerced her to into abortion. She filed a criminal complaint against him and sought damages worth billions of KRW. She birthed their child in 2015 and continued the legal battle thereafter. Following a prolonged legal battle, the South Korean Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the actor-singer in November 2020. The court determined that the ex-partner's claims were unfounded and ordered her to pay him 100 million KRW in damages for defaming him through false allegations. After clearing his name of the scandal, Kim Hyun Joong appeared in the 2024 Japanese-Korean co-production drama, Time Without Her. Heo Ung's ex-girlfriend abortion controversy Heo Ung, a basketball player, was accused by an ex-partner of pressuring her to have two abortions in June 2024. They reportedly dated in 2021, but even after three years of breaking up, she continued to extort money from him by threatening him to reveal details of their relationship and her abortion to the public. In response to that, the sportsperson filed a lawsuit against her at the Gangnam Police Station for blackmail and defamation. Investigations found that the woman's claims against him were false and her intentions behind the same was just financial gain. As a result, authorities concluded that there was not enough evidence to support her allegations and the case was dismissed. The above-mentioned cases showcase a pattern of maligning K-celebrities' reputation for personal benefits, including fame and money. The cases highlight the intricacies celebrities encounter when personal issues become public controversies. It also emphasizes the significance of due process and the profound impact such allegations can have on their careers and lives.
10-05-2025
- General
Stolen Buddha Statue Handed Over to Japan in South Korea
News from Japan World May 10, 2025 20:22 (JST) Seoul, May 10 (Jiji Press)--A Buddha statue stolen from a temple on Tsushima, an island in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Nagasaki, in 2012 was handed over to the Japanese side at a temple in Seosan, central South Korea, on Saturday, people familiar with the matter said. The Kanzeon Bodhisattva statue, designated as a tangible cultural asset by the Nagasaki prefectural government, will be transported to Japan by air, and a memorial service will be held at Kannonji Temple, where it was stolen, on Monday. In 2023, the South Korean Supreme Court recognized the Japanese temple's ownership of the statue, rejecting the claim by the South Korean temple, Buseoksa, that it was robbed of the statue by Japanese pirates in the 14th century. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Star
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
K-idol Lee Seung-gi cuts ties with in-laws over alleged stock manipulation
Some of Lee Seung-gi's fans had objected to his marriage to Lee Da-in, whose family was allegedly involved in a financial scandal. Photo: Handout South Korean heartthrob Lee Seung-gi has severed ties with his in-laws after his father-in-law is suspected of being involved in manipulating stock prices again. The 38-year-old singer-actor tied the knot with South Korean actress Lee Da-in, 32, in April 2023. They welcomed their first child, a girl, in February 2024. Some of Lee Seung-gi's fans had objected to the marriage, fearing that his clean-cut image would be affected, as Lee Da-in's family was allegedly involved in a financial scandal. Her mother is actress Kyeon Mi-ri and her stepfather is businessman Lee Hong-heon. Kyeon, 60, is best known for her role as the antagonist Lady Choi in the hit period drama Jewel In The Palace (2003 to 2004). According to South Korean media, Lee Hong-heon was charged in 2016 with manipulating the stock prices of a listed company between 2014 and 2016. He was sentenced to four years' jail and fined 2.5 billion won in 2018. South Korean entertainment news site Soompi said Kyeon was a major shareholder of the company. Lee Hong-heon was acquitted by an appellate court in 2019, but the South Korean Supreme Court overturned the ruling in June 2024 and sent the case back for retrial. He was arrested recently for his alleged involvement in stock price manipulation related to a renewable energy company, South Korean online news outlet Chosun Biz reported on April 29. 'My father-in-law was fined in a trial on allegations of illegal activities that had been continuously raised against him, but recently, he has been indicted by the authorities again over similar illegal acts,' Lee Seung-gi said in a press statement released through his agency Big Planet Made on April 29. 'As someone who has waited for the outcome based on trust between family members, I am devastated about my father-in-law's misconduct.' Referring to past statements he had made in defence of his father-in-law, he said: 'I deeply regret the careless remarks I made last year without sufficiently reviewing the matter related to my father-in-law. 'I believe that appropriate punishment must be given for illegal acts, and I sincerely apologise to the victims who suffered due to my hasty judgment.' The actor, who has starred in K-dramas such as Mouse (2021) and The Law Cafe (2022), added: 'The trust between the family members has been damaged irreparably due to this incident. 'After much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to cut ties with my in-laws. I once again bow and apologise for causing concern and disappointment due to my personal matters.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
