Yulhee files custody lawsuit against ex-husband Choi Min-hwan “I want to hold my children in my arms and raise them again” [Full text]

Broadcaster Yulhee is filing a lawsuit against her ex-husband, FT Island‘s Choi Min-hwan.

Yulhee’s legal representative, Soongin Law Firm‘s representative attorney Yang So-young, announced on the 5th through the YouTube channel ‘Yangdamso’ community, “Yulhee (real name Kim Yul-hee), formerly of the group Laboum, has filed an application for mediation regarding changes in parental rights and custody, as well as alimony and division of property, against her ex-husband Choi Min-hwan.

He said, “This lawsuit was filed after much deliberation in accordance with Yulhee’s earnest wish to ‘hold my children in my arms and raise them again’,”and ‘I will appoint a ‘temporary guardian’ so that she can be with her children as soon as possible. We will also proceed with an application for a ‘preliminary disposition regarding designation and child support payment’ at the same time,” he explained.

Attorney Yang said, “Yulhee has been criticized online for giving up custody, and her every move has been distorted into articles, which has left her and her children with great pain. In particular, if existing malicious posts or comments remain, the pain will deepen,” and declared legal action against malicious commenters.

Meanwhile, Yulhee admitted to dating Choi Min-hwan in September 2017, and welcomed her son in May of the following year. She became a mother of three after giving birth to twin daughters in February 2020, but announced her divorce in December of last year. Choi Min-hwan currently has custody of the children.

On the 24th of last month, Yulhee revealed on her YouTube channel that Choi Min-hwan had visited adult entertainment establishments and released a recording of a phone call. The recording contained a conversation in 2022 where Choi Min-hwan called an acquaintance and asked to make a karaoke reservation and hire a female hostess.

In response, Choi Min-hwan‘s agency FNC Entertainment stated, “It is difficult for us to know the details of a person’s private life related to marital issues,” and “However, Choi Min-hwan feels responsible for disappointing the public and viewers, and he wishes to cease all media activities, including broadcasts with his children.” With Choi Min-hwan halting his activities, FT Island is currently promoting as a two-member group with Lee Hong-ki and Lee Jae-jin.


Yulhee‘s legal representative, YouTube community specialist

Hello? This is Yang So-young, the representative attorney of Sungin Law Firm, singer Yulhee’s legal representative.

Yulhee (real name Kim Yulhee), former member of the group Laboum, has filed an application for mediation regarding changes in parental rights and custody, as well as alimony and division of property, against her ex-husband Choi Minhwan.

This lawsuit was filed after much deliberation due to Yulhee’s earnest wish to “raise her children in my arms again.” She will also apply for a “temporary guardian designation and advance disposition regarding child support payment” at the same time so that she can be with her children as soon as possible.

Yulhee has been criticized online for giving up custody, and her every move has been distorted by articles, which has left her and her children deeply hurt. In particular, if existing malicious posts or comments remain, the hurt will deepen even further.

We would like to inform you that if those who have posted or commented maliciously delete the posts or comments and apologize as soon as possible, we will not take legal action and will be lenient. However, if you leave malicious posts or comments or write them in the future, we will respond strictly by taking civil and criminal legal action, including seeking damages.

Yang So-young, Attorney-at-law at Sungin Law Firm

Jeong Hee-yeon, Reporter at Donga.com shine2562@donga.com