Over the years, there have been multiple stories of disgraced K-pop idols committing crimes with the most infamous one being the Burning Sun scandal. It’s also actually very rare to hear about the idols’ family members being guilty or even accused of these heinous acts.
Some have been caught and sentenced while others took the easy way out to avoid consequences. Here are the times K-pop idols’ family members have committed or were accused of crimes:
1. Super Junior Leeteuk’s father
In 2014, Leeteuk (박정수)’s father, Park Yong In, was found dead alongside the idol’s grandparents at their home. According to reports, the police confirmed that the three family members had died in a murder-suicide carried out by the singer’s father. Park Yong In is said to have killed his parents due to a mountain of unresolved debt, which left him unable to care for his elderly relatives.
He passed the debt of KRW₩5 billion (RM15 million) to his son along with a spiteful message that reads, “Do you truly believe you achieved success all by yourself?”. Thankfully, Leeteuk overcame this challenge and has since grown even more successful with the support of his group members, agency and fans.
2. Former T-ARA Areum’s mother
Earlier this year, we learnt that not only did former T-ARA member Areum (이아름) abuse her children, but her mother also assisted her in the crimes. Reports stated that the former idol’s mother neglected her grandchildren and allowed them to continue living with their abusive mother. She was later sentenced to four months in prison, with one year of probation, and is now prohibited from seeing her grandchildren.
3. P1Harmony Keeho & 8Major Yoon Yechan’s Mother
Kim Myung Shin, the mother of P1Harmony’s Keeho (기호) and 8Major’s Yoon Yechan (윤예찬), has been sued for fraud. According to reports, the victim, who is also the CEO of HUG INT, lent KRW₩1.10 billion (about RM3 million) to Kim with the promise that she would repay him within four months through her sons’ agencies. In response to the lawsuit, FNC Entertainment allegedly offered to pay the victim KRW₩300 million (RM925.7k) in exchange for not associating Keeho with the case.
The label later issued a statement to clarify that Keeho is completely unaware of the situation and how the case is being handled. The accuser has since apologised for the misunderstanding after calling the idol out multiple times. FNC added that the singer’s mother will take full responsibility for her actions if she’s found guilty of the charges.
4. Girls’ Generation Yuri’s brother
The Burning Sun scandal made headlines back in 2019 and apparently, Girls’ Generation Yuri (권유리)’s brother Kwon Hyuk Jun was involved in the crime. He was found guilty of sexual assault and was then sentenced to a total of 4 years in prison.
5. KARA Goo Hara’s mother
The death of Goo Hara (구하라) left fans and the K-pop industry devastated. While this may not have been a crime in itself, the singer’s estranged mother suddenly appeared to claim 50% of her inheritance, despite denying that she was after the money. To prevent his late sister’s wealth from falling into the wrong hands, Hara’s brother, Goo Ho, filed a lawsuit against their mother. He won the case and was awarded 60% of the idol’s estate.
6. HA:TFELT’s father
Back in 2018, former Wonder Girls member Yeeun, now known as HA:TFELT (핫펠트), opened up about her father’s fraud scandal. The idol clarified that she was not in any way involved in her father Pastor Park’s crimes as they’ve had an estranged relationship for many years.
“I cannot ever forgive my father for being under charges of committing fraud and sexual assault. My family and I have promised, ‘We will no longer contact my father.’ Though it hurts my heart, I am not involved in this case. With a clear conscience, I will endure the investigation and earnestly face it,” she said in an interview.
Sources: Koreaboo (1)(2), TheGuardian, Soompi, Koreatimes
