The son of Korean singer couple Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-kyung, a former soccer player referred to as B, is embroiled in allegations of infidelity and failure to pay child support. In response, Hong Seo-beom's side has countered the claims made by B's ex-wife, A, stating that they are awaiting a court ruling.
On October 23, A appeared on the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute' to accuse her ex-husband B of infidelity and not paying child support. According to A, the couple began dating in August 2021 and experienced a miscarriage after a premarital pregnancy. They married in February 2024 and A became pregnant again. A claimed, "During our marriage, I began to suspect B of having an inappropriate relationship," mentioning C, a temporary teacher at the same school, as the alleged affair partner.
A claimed to have gathered evidence through car dashcam footage and phone records, stating, "At the time, B explained it was mere curiosity." C initially denied the affair but later added, "B told me he was preparing for a divorce."
Ultimately, A filed for divorce in October 2024, and the court in the first trial recognized B's infidelity as a major cause of the breakdown of their de facto marriage, ordering B to pay 30 million won in damages and 800,000 won monthly in child support until the child reaches adulthood.
However, A claims that "the damages and child support have not been properly paid," and that attempts to contact her in-laws have gone unanswered.
In response, Hong Seo-beom stated in a phone call with the channel, "The case is still ongoing, and no final conclusion has been reached." He added, "I have refrained from intervening in my adult son's marital issues, but it is regrettable that our family is being portrayed negatively based solely on the other party's claims."
Regarding the unpaid damages and child support, Hong explained, "After the first trial, 20 million won out of the 30 million won was paid first," and "the child support payments have been temporarily withheld following legal advice during the appeal process." He concluded by saying, "We will organize our stance according to the situation once the lawsuit is concluded."
Reported by Tae Yuna, Ten Asia youyou@tenasia.co.kr