Former T-ara Member Ahreum's Appeal Dismissed in Child Abuse and Defamation Case

Former T-ara member Ahreum (real name Lee Ah-reum, 31) faced a setback as her appeal against a suspended prison sentence for child abuse and defamation was dismissed by the court.

According to legal sources on the 9th, the Suwon District Court's 6-1 Criminal Division dismissed Ahreum's appeal last month, thereby upholding the original sentence. Previously, the Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Court had sentenced Ahreum to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, along with a mandatory 40-hour child abuse prevention lecture for charges of child abuse and defamation.

Ahreum had previously claimed that her ex-husband abused their children, sparking controversy. However, the ex-husband was cleared of charges due to insufficient evidence. In response, he filed a lawsuit against Ahreum and her mother in February last year, accusing them of violating child welfare laws (child abuse, neglect, and abandonment) and kidnapping a minor, while also pursuing defamation charges over derogatory remarks made against him.

Ahreum's mother, identified as A, was also sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year. She was accused of neglecting her grandsons in an inappropriate environment at her daughter's residence from 2021 to 2022.

Ahreum joined T-ara in 2012 but left the group the following year. She married an older businessman in 2019 and had two sons, but divorced in 2023. After announcing her remarriage, Ahreum gave birth to her third child in October last year and is currently reported to be pregnant with her fourth child.

Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr