A group of individuals has been officially indicted for blackmailing a famous singer by threatening to release sensitive personal photos and data retrieved from the artist’s old phone.
According to legal sources on April 16, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Criminal Division 7, led by Chief Prosecutor Kwon Sung-hee, indicted a man identified by the surname Hong on April 11. He was charged with joint blackmail under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts.
Hong and two accomplices allegedly discovered a mobile phone that once belonged to the singer and found private photos and data on it. They are accused of threatening to leak the content unless the singer paid them 500 million KRW (approximately 351,000 USD). The group reportedly succeeded in extorting around 100 million won (about 70,000 USD) before authorities intervened.
The blackmail came to light after the singer’s agency filed a police report. Hong was arrested by police on March 17 in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. Following the arrest, the prosecution expanded the investigation and proceeded with formal charges.
Another accomplice, Kwon, who is currently in custody for a different offense, was also indicted in connection with this case. A third individual, referred to only as A, is under further investigation as the prosecution has requested additional inquiry from the police to determine their level of involvement.
One of the suspects reportedly admitted during questioning that they were formerly linked to a notorious criminal gang, raising concerns over the organized nature of the scheme.
The case has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for stronger protections against digital privacy violations and blackmail targeting public figures.