Former T-ara member Areum and her boyfriend have appealed the reduced sentence in a fraud case involving 37 million won borrowed from fans and acquaintances, bringing the case to South Korea’s Supreme Court.
Areum and her boyfriend Seo Dong-hoon were accused of borrowing approximately 37 million won (around $27,000 USD) from fans and acquaintances without repayment.
In the appellate ruling, Areum was sentenced to four months in prison with a one-year suspended sentence, while Seo Dong-hoon received one year and four months in prison. This represents a reduction from their initial sentences, where Areum received six months (suspended two years) and Seo Dong-hoon received one year and six months.
Investigations revealed that Seo Dong-hoon was the mastermind, with Areum playing a less active role. At the time, Areum was reportedly pregnant with Seo Dong-hoon’s child.
Lee Areum debuted with T-ara in 2012 and left in 2013. She married businessman Kim Yong-gul in 2019 and had two sons. After filing for divorce in late 2024 and alleging abuse, police investigations cleared Kim Yong-gul and instead accused Areum and her mother of child abuse and defamation. In January 2025, Areum was sentenced to two years probation for these charges.
Sources: Chosun
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