Former UN Member Choi Jung-won Cleared of “Sanggannam” Allegations After Legal Battle

Choi Jung-won, a former member of the popular K-pop group UN, has been exonerated of allegations involving an inappropriate relationship following a prolonged legal dispute that has finally reached resolution.

In a statement released on social media on November 26, Choi announced, “The facts have been clearly confirmed by the court’s ruling on the appeals court regarding the recent allegations made online.”

The case originated in December 2022 when an individual identified only as “A,” who was married to Choi’s acquaintance, filed a lawsuit seeking 100 million won (approximately $75,000) in damages. The plaintiff claimed his marriage had broken down due to what he alleged was an inappropriate relationship between Choi and his wife.

According to Choi’s statement, the court determined that the accusations of “Sanggannam” (a Korean term implying extramarital affairs) spread by the plaintiff were false. Additionally, claims that “Choi demanded a meeting and asked for money” were also ruled to be untrue.

“In the judgment, the act of ordering the spread of such false information was found guilty,” Choi explained. The appeals court sentenced the plaintiff to a fine of 3 million won (approximately $2,250) on multiple charges including defamation and intimidation.

To substantiate his claims, Choi released the court’s ruling that detailed the plaintiff’s conviction. He also shared audio recordings of conversations that allegedly took place before the civil lawsuit was filed in 2022. In these recordings, the plaintiff can allegedly be heard instructing his wife to spread defamatory statements about Choi.

One particularly revealing segment of the released recording contained the plaintiff saying, “Even for me, XX (Choi Jung-won), Kim Byun is usually about 34,000, but lawyer Kim said he can pull up to 100 million won because he is a retired entertainer.” This statement suggests the plaintiff may have been motivated by financial considerations when pursuing the lawsuit.

Choi clarified that the meal in question that sparked the allegations was merely “a simple meeting between acquaintances” with “no inappropriate relationship” involved. He expressed hope that “misunderstandings and damages caused by false claims will no longer continue.”

“The court’s ruling based on the results of the long hearing did not accept the mutual suspicions raised, and the ruling confirmed that I am not a ‘mutual man,'” Choi stated, referring to the conclusion of a separate mutual lawsuit filed between the parties.

The entertainer also addressed the broader impact of the allegations on his reputation, noting that “many misunderstandings and secondary offenses have been caused by untrue claims and indiscriminate speculation.” He issued a warning that he would “take legal action against secondary offenses, false information dissemination, and distorted rumors that will occur in the future.”

This resolution marks the end of a challenging period for the artist, whose career has spanned more than two decades in the Korean entertainment industry. Choi Jung-won rose to prominence when he debuted with UN in 2000, a group that achieved considerable success with hit songs including “Gift” and “Wave.” Following the group’s disbandment in 2005, Choi transitioned to acting, appearing in productions such as KBS2’s “I Need a Fairy” and tvN’s “My Secret Hotel.”

The case highlights the ongoing challenges public figures face regarding defamation in the digital age, where allegations can quickly spread online and cause significant reputational damage before legal proceedings can establish the truth.