"Why didn't you pay back the 37 million won?" Former T-ara member Areum, sent to prison for fraud

Lee Areum, formerly of girl group T-ara, was turned over to the prosecution for borrowing 37 million won from acquaintances and fans and not paying it back.

Gyeonggi Gwangmyeong Police Station announced on the 13th that it had indicted Lee A-reum and her boyfriend A without detention at the end of last month on charges of fraud.

They are accused of borrowing approximately 37 million won from three acquaintances, including fans of Lee Ah-reum, and not paying it back.

The victims filed complaints with the police from March to May, claiming that "Iareum borrowed money from her boyfriend for personal reasons and has not paid it back to this day." The police also reported Mr. A to the prosecution, believing that he had also extorted some money from the victims.

During the police investigation, Lee A-reum is said to have largely admitted to the charges, but Mr. A is said to have denied them.

Lee A-reum joined the girl group T-ara in 2012 and left the team the following year in 2013.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr