Former T-ara Member Areum Faces Another Legal Scandal: From Fraud Conviction to Child Abuse Controversy

From K-pop stages to courtroom trials, her story takes a sharp turn.
Each headline paints a darker chapter than the last.
Once a rising idol—now a name tied to scandal.

Lee Areum, a former member of the popular girl group T-ara, is once again in the spotlight after receiving a suspended prison sentence in the appeal trial of a fraud case. This latest incident adds to a long list of legal controversies she has been involved in, including a highly publicized child abuse case that shook the South Korean entertainment industry.

On August 13, the 5th Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court’s appellate panel overturned the initial verdict in a fraud case involving Areum and her boyfriend, identified as Mr. A. In the latest ruling, Mr. A was sentenced to one year and four months in prison, while Areum received a four-month prison sentence suspended for one year. This was lighter than the previous ruling, in which Mr. A was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, and Areum to six months with a two-year probation.

The court stated that Areum was aware of her boyfriend’s fraudulent activities targeting fans and acquaintances, and even conspired with him in carrying out the scheme. Together, they reportedly borrowed around 37 million won from three victims, including a fan, for personal use but failed to repay the money. While her actions were deemed serious, the court took into account her admission of guilt, remorse, and partial settlements with the victims.

This is not the first time Areum has faced legal trouble. Last year, she was embroiled in a legal battle with her ex-husband over allegations of child abuse. The case began when Areum accused her ex-husband of abusing their children, including extreme claims such as spitting on a child’s face and engaging in inappropriate physical contact. However, police investigations found insufficient evidence to support her claims. Instead, Areum herself was charged with child abuse, neglect, and defamation. She was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, ordered to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention education, and barred from approaching her children within a certain distance.

Areum’s career in the entertainment industry was relatively short. She joined T-ara in 2012 but left in 2013. Her personal life has often made headlines—from her 2019 marriage to an older businessman, the birth of her two sons, to her simultaneous divorce announcement and reveal of a new relationship. A series of scandals—from domestic disputes to criminal charges and fraud—has now overshadowed her name, making her more associated with crime reports than music stages.

Interestingly, one X (Twitter) account has been consistently tracking and posting updates on Lee Areum’s legal troubles since 2024, continuing through January 2025 when her child abuse verdict was announced, and up to the latest fraud case update on August 13, 2025. The posts create a clear timeline, allowing the public to see the progression of her legal battles over time.

The string of cases involving Areum has sparked mixed reactions online, especially on X, where many users expressed disbelief at the idea of a former idol borrowing money from her fans.

“Debt to fans?”

“How do you even ask a fan for money? Like, what do you say?”

“I still can’t wrap my head around how you ask a fan for a loan.”

Some also brought up her appearance on the survival show The Unit, when she gained public sympathy as a supposed victim of bullying in her group—something that now contrasts sharply with her current image.

“She really loves drama, huh.”

“Wow… this person is so problematic.”

Others even linked her actions to mental health issues, recalling her reported suicide attempt in the past.

“She’s the one who attempted suicide before, right? She probably has underlying mental conditions—she needs rehab for sure.”

These reactions reflect a significant shift in public perception—from seeing Areum as a once-sympathetic figure to viewing her as someone perpetually entangled in controversy.

With this latest verdict, Areum’s future in the entertainment industry looks increasingly bleak. All eyes are now on whether she will attempt to repair her image or retreat entirely from the spotlight.

Sources: Daum, Naver, MyDaily