Court Upholds Ruling in Hanakyung's Lawsuit Against Alleged Mistress

The appeal regarding the damages lawsuit filed by actress Hanakyung, who is also known as internet broadcaster 소혜리, against the alleged mistress has been dismissed, maintaining the original ruling. Following the court's decision, the plaintiff, referred to as A, expressed respect for the ruling, while Hanakyung voiced her feelings of injustice.

On January 22, the Busan District Court's Eastern Branch rejected both parties' appeals in the case concerning damages related to an extramarital affair. As a result, the initial ruling requiring Hanakyung to pay A 15 million won remains in effect.

Court documents revealed that Hanakyung's relationship with A's husband, referred to as B, began in December 2021 at an entertainment venue in Busan. Their relationship became serious in January 2022, and after a trip to Vietnam in April of that year, Hanakyung became pregnant with B's child. Following A's refusal to divorce, B's plans to marry Hanakyung and move to Vietnam fell through, leading Hanakyung to contact A directly to disclose her relationship with B and her pregnancy.

Hanakyung's side claims she was unaware of B's marital status until around April 2022. They argue that her contact with A was solely to resolve issues regarding her pregnancy and to recover money lent to B, denying any wrongdoing. Hanakyung also contended that had she not revealed the truth, A would have remained unaware of B's identity. It is reported that Hanakyung underwent an abortion after her relationship with B deteriorated.

In a petition, Hanakyung stated, "Even though B said he would divorce, I disclosed everything to A to cut ties with B, even if it meant raising the child alone. Yet, A has turned me, the victim, into the perpetrator, demanding financial compensation while I suffer immense mental and physical distress from my pregnancy and abortion."

In the first trial held on July 19, 2023, the court ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff, ordering Hanakyung to pay A 15 million won. Both parties appealed, leading to a lengthy legal battle that lasted over two years, culminating in the dismissal of both appeals and the upholding of the initial ruling.

A expressed disappointment to OSEN, stating, "I have lived a war-like life for a year and a half during the appeals process, and despite presenting new evidence, I regret that the appeal was dismissed. However, I am grateful that the first ruling was upheld."

Conversely, Hanakyung told OSEN, "I feel very wronged and regretful towards the court. I submitted evidence to prove my case, yet instead of a victory or a reduction in damages, my appeal was dismissed. I don’t understand why I have to bear this alone."

Hanakyung further explained that she traveled to Vietnam at her own expense to gather evidence and testimonies from a friend, referred to as C, who accompanied her during the trip. C testified that B introduced Hanakyung as someone he intended to marry and claimed that B had divorced in his twenties. However, C later retracted this statement six months later, which Hanakyung believes negatively impacted her case.

Hanakyung accused A of framing her as the mistress, stating, "My return to the entertainment industry has become difficult, and I have not been able to broadcast online since May of last year due to malicious comments. My bank account was seized last November, and I have been struggling to cope, even requiring psychiatric treatment."

Determined to clear her name, Hanakyung expressed, "In my petition, I wrote about the pain of losing the child I had to abort, and I want to resolve this injustice for that child’s sake."

Hanakyung debuted in 2005 with the MBC drama 추리다큐 별순검 (Mystery Documentary: Byeolsun-gum). She has appeared in films such as 전망 좋은 집 (A House with a View) and 터치 바이 터치 (Touch by Touch), and gained attention for her revealing dress at the 2012 Blue Dragon Film Awards. After her last notable film role in 2017's 처음엔 다 그래 (It’s All the Same at First), she transitioned to a career as an internet broadcaster.