Singers Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong. [MBC every1 "Da Keotneunde An Nagayo"]
Singers Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong. [MBC every1 "Da Keotneunde An Nagayo"]

A damages lawsuit over the dissolution of a common-law marriage involving the son of singers Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong is heading to the Supreme Court. The former daughter-in-law, identified only as A, filed an appeal after winning only a partial victory in the second trial.

A, who was in a common-law marriage with Hong's son, surnamed Hong, filed the appeal Thursday against the appellate ruling in her damages suit over the breakdown of the relationship, according to Star News.

In the first trial last September, the court found Hong's son responsible for the collapse of the common-law marriage and ordered him to pay A 30 million won ($19,900) in consolation money. The court also ordered him to pay 800,000 won per month in child support.

A appealed the ruling, and on June 25 the Daejeon Family Court's Family Division No. 1 issued a partial ruling in her favor.

Following the appellate ruling, A expressed frustration publicly. "Is there really no law for victims?" she said. "Even with the consolation money, I end up paying more because of money I gave under the name of investment, and child support stays the same. Are they helping these perpetrators — who appear on health programs, are doing just fine at school and preparing for their teaching certification — live well?"

She continued: "That's why there's so much infidelity. If the adultery law still existed, at least they'd be detained and I'd feel some relief. It's so unfair. Why do I, the victim, have to suffer more losses and damages? I have evidence I haven't released yet — do I really have to keep hiding it?"

A met Hong's son, then a contract teacher at a high school, through a mutual acquaintance in 2021, and the two married in February 2024. She said she announced her pregnancy the following month, but conflict arose a month later when Hong's son allegedly began an inappropriate relationship with a fellow teacher.

Hong's son subsequently left the home, and A filed the damages lawsuit last September, claiming the common-law marriage had broken down due to his infidelity.

As the controversy spread, Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong issued a statement apologizing to the public. "We bow our heads in deep apology for the disappointment and discomfort caused by the recent reports about our son's divorce proceedings," the couple said.

They added: "Out of respect for our adult son's privacy and autonomy, we did not intervene in the divorce process, but in hindsight, we fell deeply short as parents in failing to closely examine our child's faults. We sincerely reflect on our failure to set a proper example as public figures."

Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong married in 1994 and have one son and two daughters.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com