LEE A-REUM
A lower court sentenced LEE A-REUM, former member of girl group T-ARA, to a suspended prison sentence on Wednesday for defrauding fans and acquaintances by borrowing money without paying it back.
The Ansan branch of the Suwon District Court sentenced LEE A-REUM to six months in prison with two years of probation, charged with fraud without detention. The court also sentenced her boyfriend to 18 months in prison.
“The court considered the circumstances of the offense, the amount of damages, and the conclusion of an out-of-court settlement,” the judge said.
Since late 2023, LEE A-REUM has been accused of borrowing money from fans and acquaintances under false pretenses. Several alleged victims filed complaints between March and May of last year, claiming that she had not repaid the borrowed funds. LEE A-REUM and her boyfriend are accused of borrowing approximately 37 million won (€25,000) from three people, including fans, without returning it.
In December 2024, the Suwon District Prosecutor’s Office, Ansan Branch, indicted LEE A-REUM‘s boyfriend, both detained and out of custody, for fraud. Both the prosecutor’s office and LEE A-REUM‘s boyfriend appealed the verdict, arguing the sentence was too lenient.
In a separate case, the prosecutor’s office also indicted LEE A-REUM, out of custody, for kidnapping or luring a minor and defamation under the Act on the Promotion of the Use of Information and Communication Networks and the Protection of Information.
LEE A-REUM joined T-ARA in 2012 and left the following year. This girl group is known for songs such as “Roly-poly” (2011), “TTL” (2009), and “Bo peep bo peep” (2009).
Journalist: Shawn
Translator : Shawn
Source: SNS LEE A-REUM, Korean media
