Former K-pop Girl Group Member Sentenced for Child Abuse Amid Fourth Pregnancy (Update)

Former T-ARA Member Ahreum Sentenced for Child Abuse and Defamation.

Ahreum (Lee Ah-reum), a former member of the famous girl group T-ARA, has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of child abuse and defamation. She has also been ordered to attend 40 hours of child abuse prevention education.

On January 17, Judge Yoon Sang-do of the Ansan District Court’s 9th Criminal Division delivered the verdict, sentencing Ahreum to a two-year probation period. The court found Ahreum guilty of emotional abuse for hurling verbal insults at her ex-husband in front of their children. She was also convicted of defaming an individual, identified as A, by publicly criticizing them on an internet broadcast after revealing court documents related to her boyfriend.

The court stated, “Ahreum admitted to the charges of child abuse. The emotional harm caused to the children’s legal guardian is a condemnable act.” Regarding the defamation charge, the court noted, “While Ahreum argued there was no intent, her failure to verify facts before making public statements during the broadcast indicates an intent to defame.”

Involvement of Ahreum’s Mother

Ahreum’s mother, who was also charged with child abuse, received a four-month prison sentence suspended for one year. She was accused of neglecting her grandchildren in an environment where her daughter verbally abused her former son-in-law between 2021 and 2022.

Ahreum joined T-ARA in 2012 but left the group after just one year. In 2019, she married an older businessman and had two sons. However, following a divorce finalized in December 2023, she announced plans to remarry her boyfriend.

During her marriage, Ahreum accused her ex-husband of abusing their children and shared photos of alleged domestic violence. However, an investigation cleared her ex-husband of all charges. Ahreum later remarried and welcomed her third child last year. She is currently expecting her fourth child.