[Sports Chosun Reporter Lee Yuna] “Theft of 37 million won from fans” – T-ara’s Ahreum receives a suspended prison sentence.
Former T-ara member Lee Ahreum (31), charged with defrauding her fans and acquaintances of tens of millions of won, has been found guilty and received a suspended prison sentence.
The Ansan branch of the Suwon District Court’s 9th Criminal Division sentenced Ahreum to six months in prison, suspended for two years, on fraud charges during a sentencing hearing held on the 10th.
The case came to light when victims reported Ahreum to the police for fraud between March and May of last year. At the time, the victims testified that “Ahreum borrowed money citing personal reasons with her boyfriend and has not repaid it.” The alleged amount is approximately 37 million won. Ahreum initially denied the charges, claiming hacking and her boyfriend’s actions, but she eventually admitted to ‘acting alone’ during the police investigation.
Previously, Ahreum was also sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, for child abuse and defamation. The charges included emotionally abusing her children by swearing at her ex-husband in front of them and defaming another ex-boyfriend by publicly discussing a court verdict against him in an online broadcast.
Regarding the child abuse charge, the court noted, “She has admitted to the charges, and causing significant mental harm to the legitimate custodians of the children is highly condemnable.” On the defamation charge, the court stated, “Even though she claims there was no intent to defame A, she did not make efforts to verify the facts, showing careless disregard. Considering the nature of the remarks broadcasted and her relationship with the victim, defamation intent is acknowledged.”
The court also sentenced Ahreum’s mother, who was jointly charged with child abuse, to four months in prison, suspended for one year.
For sentencing considerations, the court noted that Ahreum had not been forgiven by the defamation victim and had acknowledged her mistakes regarding child abuse. It also considered the children’s custody arrangement and the absence of a criminal record, resulting in a suspended sentence of eight months in prison for two years. Additionally, the court ordered Ahreum to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention education.
Meanwhile, Ahreum married an older businessman in 2019 and had two sons, but she announced her divorce in 2023. She has since remarried her boyfriend and announced the birth of a third child in November last year. She is reportedly pregnant with her fourth child. Ahreum joined T-ara in 2012 but left the group in 2013.