Actress Hanakyung Appeals to Supreme Court After Losing Defamation Case

Actress 하나경 (Hanakyung) has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court to seek justice after losing both the first and second trials in a defamation case related to an alleged affair. On July 18, 2023, the Busan District Court's Eastern Branch ruled in favor of the plaintiff, ordering Hanakyung to pay 15 million won to A, who accused her of being a homewrecker.

Court documents revealed that Hanakyung met A's husband, B, at an entertainment venue in Busan in December 2021, and they began a relationship in January 2022. Following a trip to Vietnam in April 2022, Hanakyung became pregnant with B's child. B subsequently divorced A and planned to marry Hanakyung and move to Vietnam. However, A's refusal to divorce led to complications, prompting Hanakyung to contact A directly to disclose her relationship with B and the pregnancy.

Hanakyung's side claims she was unaware of B's marital status until April 2022 and only reached out to A to discuss the pregnancy and recover money lent to B, denying any wrongdoing. She expressed her frustration, stating that if she had not revealed the truth, A would have remained unaware of B's situation, yet she feels wrongfully accused.

Despite her appeal, the court upheld the initial ruling, leading to Hanakyung's obligation to pay A the specified amount. A expressed disappointment over the appeal's dismissal, stating, "I have lived a life of conflict for a year and a half during the appeals process, and I regret that the new evidence presented did not change the outcome. However, I am grateful that the first ruling was maintained."

Hanakyung reiterated her feelings of injustice, stating, "I feel very wronged. I submitted evidence to prove my case, but instead of a favorable outcome or a reduction in damages, my appeal was dismissed. I don't understand why I have to bear this alone." She also mentioned that she traveled to Vietnam at her own expense to gather evidence and witness testimony from C, who accompanied her and B on the trip. C had previously testified that B introduced Hanakyung as someone he intended to marry and claimed B had divorced in his twenties. However, C later retracted this statement, which Hanakyung believes negatively impacted her case.

In a previous interview, Hanakyung expressed her emotional pain regarding a terminated pregnancy, stating, "I want to clear my name for the sake of the child I lost." On February 3, she officially submitted her appeal through her legal representative, indicating her determination to pursue justice.

Hanakyung debuted in 2005 with the MBC drama 추리다큐 별순검 (Mystery Documentary: Byeolsun-gun) and has appeared in films such as 전망 좋은 집 (A House with a View), 터치 바이 터치 (Touch by Touch), and 레쓰링 (Wrestling). After a notable appearance at the 2012 Blue Dragon Film Awards in a revealing dress, she changed her stage name to 소혜리 (So Hyeri) and transitioned to being a BJ on AfreecaTV after a hiatus from acting following her role in the 2017 film 처음엔 다 그래 (It’s All the Same at First).