FT Island's Choi Min-hwan Sells Family Home Amidst Legal Disputes with Ex-Wife Yulhee

Choi Min-hwan, who has temporarily stepped away from the band FT Island, has sold the house he shared with his family, including his ex-wife Yulhee, formerly of the girl group Laboum.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real transaction price disclosure system, the single-family home in Yulhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, previously owned by Choi, was sold for 3.8 billion KRW (approximately $3.2 million USD) in mid-August. Although the property has not yet been registered in the real estate registry, there have been no reports of contract cancellations.

Choi originally purchased the property about a decade ago for 1.25 billion KRW (approximately $1.05 million USD), resulting in a profit of over 2.5 billion KRW (approximately $2.1 million USD) based on simple calculations. Despite the costs of demolishing the old structure and constructing a new multi-family home with a basement and two above-ground floors, industry experts estimate Choi still made a profit of around 2 billion KRW (approximately $1.7 million USD).

Choi lived in the home with Yulhee after their marriage in 2018, with his parents reportedly residing on the second floor. The timing of the sale in August suggests it is unrelated to Yulhee's recent legal actions against Choi for asset division and custody.

Choi and Yulhee welcomed their first son, Jaeyul, in May 2018, and twins in February 2020, but divorced in December last year. Choi initially retained custody, but Yulhee has recently accused him of sexual misconduct and solicitation, leading to his withdrawal from various broadcasts and FT Island. Yulhee has filed for changes in custody and guardianship, as well as alimony and asset division.

Reported by Jiye Choi, TenAsia wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr