Who Is Lee Ahreum? Former K-pop Star Convicted in 37 Million KRW Fraud Case

Lee Ahreum, a former member of the K-pop group T-ara, has been found guilty of borrowing 37 million KRW from three individuals, including fans and acquaintances, in 2023. She was sentenced to six months in prison, with a two-year suspension, after failing to repay the borrowed amount. Ahreum, who has been a controversial figure in recent years, has frequently made headlines due to her personal life.

Who is Lee Ahreum?

Ahreum gained fame after joining T-ara in 2012 at the age of 18. Her inclusion in the group contributed to their growing success, and she even released some singles. In 2013, she became part of T-ara’s sub-unit, ‘T-ara N4,’ alongside Eunjung, Hyomin, and Jiyeon. However, she left the group a few months later to focus on her solo career.

After a brief hiatus, Ahreum made a comeback on the survival show The Unit. She later appeared on the TV show Kookmin Singer in 2021 and participated in Sing Again 3 in 2023.

Ahreum’s Previous Controversies:

Ahreum’s personal life has been marred by several controversies. In 2019, she married her non-celebrity businessman husband, Kim Younggeol, and they have two children together. However, in December 2023, she announced her separation from him, claiming that her children were abused by their father and that she had also suffered abuse during the marriage. In March 2024, she attempted to take her own life while pregnant, which led to her losing custody of her two children, as reported by South Korean media.

Despite still being legally married, Ahreum’s third child is reportedly fathered by her boyfriend. She later claimed that her boyfriend had pressured her into committing fraud, and they eventually parted ways. In October 2024, she announced she was pregnant with her fourth child, this time with a new boyfriend.