Old Scandals Resurface Amid Son Heung-min's Abortion Row
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:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Lee Min-woo of Shinhwa Shocks Fans with Marriage Announcement!
Another beloved Korean idol breaks a million hearts with the words "I'm getting married!" This time, it's Lee Min-woo from the legendary K-pop group Shinhwa who decided to drop this bombshell on his fans. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Min-woo took to Instagram to share the big news. In the most polite way to announce he's officially off the market, he revealed that he's decided to tie the knot with someone he's known for a long time. The Instagram Post That Changed Everything Min-woo's announcement was as heartfelt as it was surprising. He wrote, "I have confirmed mutual feelings with a precious person I've known for a long time, and we've decided to become one family". Min-woo opened up about the recent difficult times that led him to this decision. He shared that during mentally exhausting situations, spending time with his family made him reconsider the true meaning of family. The idol confessed that he had always harboured a desire to "build my own family that would be a source of strength for each other". Fans Shower Him With Love What makes Min-woo different is that he specifically wanted his beloved fans, known as "Shinhwa Changjo," to be the first to celebrate with him. He literally said he wanted to share his heartfelt story with them because they're the people he cherishes most. But Min-woo didn't just announce his marriage and disappear. He made a promise that would make any fan's heart flutter - he assured his fans that while his life will undergo changes, he'll continue his unwavering activities on stage, powered by the love of both his fans and his new family. Min-woo is now the fourth member of Shinhwa to get married! This legendary group has been around since 1998, making them basically the granddaddies of K-pop longevity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Legends Who Started It All For those who might not know, Shinhwa isn't just any K-pop group - they're literally the longest-running K-pop boy band in history. Debuting in 1998, they've been making music for over 25 years, surviving industry changes, military service, and countless trends that came and went. What makes them truly legendary is that they've maintained their original six-member lineup throughout their entire career, a feat almost unheard of in the notoriously volatile K-pop industry. They paved the way for modern idol groups, proving that K-pop acts could have longevity and artistic growth beyond their initial contracts.
News18
13 hours ago
- News18
K-pop Group NJZ Takes Legal Action Against ADOR: 'We Can't Trust Them Anymore'
Last Updated: The legal conflict between K-pop group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and agency ADOR escalates, with a third court hearing held on July 24. The ongoing legal conflict between K-pop girl group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and their agency ADOR continues to escalate, with a third court hearing held on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court. The session concluded with both parties agreeing to a closed-door mediation meeting scheduled for August 14. The dispute first emerged in November 2023, when the five-member group, represented by legal counsel, moved to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR. The agency has since challenged this move, leading to a legal standoff that has brought intense scrutiny to both sides and to former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, whose role has become central to the narrative. NJZ's lawyers claim the roots of the dispute lie in an audit launched by ADOR's parent company HYBE in April 2024. According to them, the internal investigation unfairly targeted Min, accusing her of attempting to take control of the group – charges that, they argue, lacked credible evidence. 'This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They claimed she was trying to seize management control and 'take' NewJeans, but there was no evidence in the audit or grounds for dismissal," the group's legal team stated. 'The main issue was an alleged breach of duty, and in the midst of it all, NewJeans suffered the most. Police later found no evidence of Min Hee Jin committing a breach of duty." The group's lawyers further alleged that the agency's leadership has shifted significantly, saying, 'Today's ADOR is not the same ADOR that led to our past success. It's now controlled by HYBE staff… We can't trust ADOR anymore, which is why we can't return to it in its current state." ADOR's legal representatives, however, pushed back strongly. They argued that NJZ's stance has shifted since the start of the dispute, describing their attempt to leave as 'an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact." ADOR emphasized that over 21 billion won (approximately $15.3 million) had been invested into the group, including 7 billion on their debut album and 2 billion on music videos. The agency attributed NJZ's rapid rise to careful planning and strategic support, arguing that the group's decision to exit just two years after debut is unfair. ADOR also accused Min Hee-jin of orchestrating the group's departure, citing alleged private messages that outlined a plan to claim plagiarism against HYBE's newer girl group, Illit, and manipulate media coverage. ADOR further alleged that the contract termination letter was prepared by Min's legal team. In the face of allegations of mismanagement, ADOR maintained that it met its obligations and revealed that each member had earned more than 5 billion won individually. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback," said their legal representative. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return." First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Korean girl group NJZ heads to court over ADOR contract dispute: ‘We can't trust ADOR anymore..'
The contract dispute between NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and ADOR is growing messier with every court date. On July 24, the Seoul Central District Court held its third hearing in the ongoing case over the validity of the girl group's exclusive contract — and confirmed a closed-door mediation session set for August 14. With both sides sticking to their positions, the outcome of this mediation could shape the group's future. Korean girl group NJZ Timeline of the battle The legal rift began when the five-member group, via their lawyers, moved to terminate their contract with ADOR in November 2023, a move the agency is fighting to overturn. At the heart of the case is former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who remains a polarising figure in the narrative. NJZ's legal representatives argue that the dispute stems from a now-closed internal audit of Min, initiated by ADOR's parent company HYBE in May. 'This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They claimed she was trying to seize management control and 'take' NewJeans, but there was no evidence in the audit or grounds for dismissal. The main issue was an alleged breach of duty, and in the midst of it all, NewJeans suffered the most. Police later found no evidence of Min Hee Jin committing a breach of duty. The audit and dismissal attempts were based on false premises and intended to remove Min Hee Jin,' said NJZ's legal team. In court, NJZ's attorneys claimed ADOR failed in its basic responsibilities, justifying the group's decision to walk away. The legal team further said, 'Today's ADOR is not the same ADOR that led to our past success. It's now controlled by HYBE staff. The so-called generous support and dividends came when Min Hee Jin was CEO. We can't trust ADOR anymore, which is why we can't return to it in its current state.' ADOR, however, hit back, stating that the group's legal arguments have changed over time and accused them of retroactively trying to build a case. 'This is an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact,' said ADOR's legal counsel, who also emphasised the agency's financial investment in the group — over 21 billion won ($15.3 million) in total, including 7 billion won on the debut album and 2 billion won on music videos. ADOR claimed that NewJeans' rapid success was a result of the agency's strategic planning and support, arguing that the attempt to leave just two years after debut is unjustified. The agency also painted Min as the mastermind behind the group's attempted exit, citing alleged private messages between her and former executives that suggest a long-term plan to take the group with her. According to ADOR, those messages even detailed strategies such as launching plagiarism accusations against HYBE's other girl group, Illit, and pushing certain narratives in the press. ADOR alleged that the contract termination notice itself was crafted by Min's legal team. In response to claims of mismanagement, ADOR maintained that it fulfilled its obligations and revealed that each member had earned more than 5 billion won individually. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback,' ADOR's lawyer stated. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return.' The next chapter in this saga unfolds on August 14, behind closed doors. But for fans and industry watchers, the stakes couldn't be more public.
