Former T-ara Member Ahreum Sentenced for Fraud

Ahreum (이아름), a former member of the girl group T-ara, has been sentenced to a suspended prison term for failing to repay money borrowed from fans and acquaintances. On April 16, the Ansan branch of the Suwon District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Nuri, sentenced Ahreum to six months in prison, suspended for two years. Her boyfriend, referred to as Mr. A, received a sentence of one year and six months for his involvement in the case. The couple was accused of borrowing approximately 37 million won from three individuals, including fans, and not repaying the debts. The judge stated that the sentence took into account the circumstances of the crime, the amount of money involved, and whether any agreements had been reached with the victims. Both the prosecution and Mr. A have appealed the first-instance ruling. Ahreum joined T-ara in 2012 but left the group the following year.