Why Hwang Jung-min made 62 calls: 'Please, just let me live' — accuser demanded alcohol and a private space

Amid an ongoing dispute over alleged personal ties and stalking claims between actor Hwang Jung-min and a woman identified only as A, it has emerged that Hwang initiated most of his calls to ask her to stop contacting him. It has also come to light that A demanded the two meet alone in an enclosed space with alcohol.

According to a Dispatch report Thursday, an analysis of 62 recorded phone calls — totaling roughly 163,000 characters — exchanged between Hwang and A over approximately one year beginning in 2024 found that his primary purpose in initiating calls was to cut off contact and end the relationship.

The recordings contain statements in which Hwang pleads for A to leave him alone, including: "I don't think we're the kind of people who should be exchanging KakaoTalk messages like this," "I'm uncomfortable," "Don't contact me," "I'm so scared of you right now," and "Please, just let me live."

A had previously cited the fact that Hwang called her 62 times — along with selfie photos he sent her — as evidence of a personal relationship between them.

Hwang's side rebuffed the claim, saying he sent the photos only under duress — due to psychological pressure from A, including references to self-harm, and repeated requests — and that he refused all of A's demands to meet in an enclosed space and drink together.

The recordings support this account. In one exchange, Hwang is heard saying: "You're asking me to send a selfie, and I find that burdensome. Are you crying again? Really, first thing in the morning. Fine. I'll take a selfie and send it. God, stop crying."

Even as Hwang repeatedly tried to cut off contact, A pressed for meetings alone in an enclosed space with alcohol, the recordings show.

A told him, "I can't meet at a cafe," to which Hwang replied, "Be reasonable. No drinking. Let's meet at the office" — declining her request.

A pushed back against the Dispatch recordings, claiming the portions in which Hwang told her to stop calling were "selectively excerpted" and that "he would say that and then call right back." She also dismissed the demands for an enclosed meeting and to spend 24 hours together as "distortions that originated from a joke."

Meanwhile, Hwang's agency, Saam Company, filed a criminal complaint against A, naming her as a suspect in a stalking case. A court issued three restraining orders against A and handed down a summary order imposing a fine of 3 million won ($2,110) on stalking charges.

A contested the ruling and requested a formal trial. She has also filed a civil damages lawsuit against Hwang.

yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com