Former K-Pop Girl Group Member Yulhee Accuses Ex-Husband of Visiting Brothels, Leading to a Police Investigation

There’s yet another k-drama happening in real life.

On 24 October 2024, Yulhee, a former member of K-pop girl group LABOUM, made shocking allegations against her ex-husband, FT Island drummer Choi Min-hwan, through her YouTube channel.

She shared recorded phone conversations from August 2022, which reportedly show Choi arranging visits to adult entertainment venues and brothels.

The recordings reveal discussions about pricing, secretive logistics, and detailed arrangements for these visits.

Following the release of Yulhee’s video, a citizen took action by filing a complaint through e-People, a platform managed by South Korea’s Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission, accusing Choi and a purported middleman of breaching the Act on the Punishment of Arrangement of Commercial Sex Acts.

In response to these allegations, Gangnam Police Station confirmed on 25 October that it has launched an internal investigation into Choi for potential violations of the Act on the Punishment of Arrangement of Commercial Sex Acts.

Choi’s Agency Responds Amidst Backlash

In the wake of the scandal, Choi’s agency, FNC Entertainment, issued a public apology on 25 October, expressing regret for disappointing fans and the public.

The statement also confirmed that Choi will step away from all media activities, including his appearances with his children on television.

Choi’s withdrawal from public appearances became evident during FT Island’s 26 October concert in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Despite being part of the band’s Pulse In Asia tour, which celebrates FT Island’s 17th anniversary, Choi performed backstage and did not appear on stage alongside his bandmates.

Inside Yulhee and Choi’s Relationship and Divorce

The relationship between Yulhee and Choi Min-hwan began swiftly in March 2017, with Yulhee announcing her pregnancy with their first child, Choi Jae-yul, just four months later.

Following this, Yulhee left LABOUM in November 2017 to focus on family life. The couple registered their marriage on 4 January 2018 and welcomed their son in May of that year.

A wedding ceremony was later held in Gangnam in October 2018.

However, the marriage began to deteriorate about a year before their divorce, with Yulhee recently sharing disturbing accounts of Choi’s behaviour.

She alleged that Choi exhibited inappropriate conduct, especially under the influence of alcohol.

In one instance during a family game of Go-Stop, Choi reportedly grabbed her shirt collar and placed money in her shirt in front of relatives, including his parents, sister, and brother-in-law.

Despite attempts to reconcile and preserve their family life, Yulhee stated that discussions often ended with Choi voicing frustration and suggesting separation.

The couple eventually parted ways in mid-2023, finalising their divorce by mutual consent on 4 December 2023.