Former member of Korean girl group "T-ara" Ahreum has faced ongoing controversies in recent years. She was prosecuted for alleged child abuse and defamation, and earlier this year, the court of first instance sentenced her to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention lectures. At the time, Ahreum appealed through her lawyer, seeking to overturn the initial verdict. However, according to multiple Korean media outlets, the court rejected her appeal and upheld the original sentence, making it effective.
The court found that Ahreum had insulted her ex-husband in front of their children, causing psychological trauma to the children, which constitutes "psychological abuse." The verdict stated: "The defendant has admitted all the facts and caused severe mental harm to the legal guardian, which should be condemned." Additionally, Ahreum was accused of broadcasting her boyfriend B's court verdict during a livestream and insulting another individual, A. The court found her guilty of defamation. Although she argued that she "had no malicious intent," the court held that she "failed to perform her duty of verification and still showed indirect intent." Especially since the remarks were made publicly on a livestream, it was apparent that there was "an intention to slander." Not only was Ahreum sentenced for alleged child abuse, but her mother was also prosecuted and sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year. Both mother and daughter bear criminal liability.
Ahreum joined T-ara in 2012 but left after only one year. In 2019, she married a non-celebrity businessman and had two sons. The couple also appeared together on the variety show "Between Marriage and Divorce," where their marital discord became public discussion. However, only a few years later, she announced her divorce from the businessman and publicly revealed her new relationship with A, stating that she was preparing to remarry.
Nevertheless, she has faced consecutive controversies, including "mutually accusing her ex-husband of abuse and child abuse," "allegedly defrauding fans of 40 million KRW (about 118,000 MYR) together with A," as well as rumors involving pregnancy, breakup, threats, and reconciliation. Now that her appeal has failed and the first-instance verdict is confirmed, her path back to show business may be very difficult.
The court found that Ahreum had insulted her ex-husband in front of their children, causing psychological trauma to the children, which constitutes "psychological abuse." The verdict stated: "The defendant has admitted all the facts and caused severe mental harm to the legal guardian, which should be condemned." Additionally, Ahreum was accused of broadcasting her boyfriend B's court verdict during a livestream and insulting another individual, A. The court found her guilty of defamation. Although she argued that she "had no malicious intent," the court held that she "failed to perform her duty of verification and still showed indirect intent." Especially since the remarks were made publicly on a livestream, it was apparent that there was "an intention to slander." Not only was Ahreum sentenced for alleged child abuse, but her mother was also prosecuted and sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year. Both mother and daughter bear criminal liability.
Ahreum joined T-ara in 2012 but left after only one year. In 2019, she married a non-celebrity businessman and had two sons. The couple also appeared together on the variety show "Between Marriage and Divorce," where their marital discord became public discussion. However, only a few years later, she announced her divorce from the businessman and publicly revealed her new relationship with A, stating that she was preparing to remarry.
Nevertheless, she has faced consecutive controversies, including "mutually accusing her ex-husband of abuse and child abuse," "allegedly defrauding fans of 40 million KRW (about 118,000 MYR) together with A," as well as rumors involving pregnancy, breakup, threats, and reconciliation. Now that her appeal has failed and the first-instance verdict is confirmed, her path back to show business may be very difficult.