One of Korea's most respected veteran actors, Hwang Jung-min, is now facing a major controversy off-screen.
Hwang Jung-min is widely regarded as one of South Korea's biggest and most respected actors. He's currently starring in Hope, the No. 1 movie at the Korean box office. Over the years, he's built an incredible career with blockbuster hits like Ode to My Father, Veteran, and 12.12: The Day, making him one of the few actors to join Korea's prestigious "100 Million Viewer Club"—a title reserved for stars whose films have collectively drawn more than 100 million moviegoers.
But instead of making headlines for his upcoming movie, Hwang Jung-min is now at the centre of serious allegations involving an alleged affair and an ongoing legal dispute.
How Did the Controversy Begin?
It all started when an Instagram account uploaded a post claiming the actor had been involved in a personal relationship with the woman behind the account. Along with her claims, she shared screenshots of messages and several voice recordings that she alleged featured Hwang Jung-min.
The post translated as follows:
"Hwang Jung-min's specialty is calling women and doing voice impressions when he's drunk. Two weeks ago, he clearly told me, 'Let's take a break,' so I agreed and kept my distance. But the more important thing is that he broke that promise and called me first.
What do you mean, 'What were we before?' You acted like a dog, so we fought like dogs. If you're looking to be entertained, go to a private room. Even there, you have to pay people to listen.
And yet you're calling the other person a crazy one-sided stalker? What do you mean you're living in fear? Your fear is a matter for civil liability. If you know that, stop dragging your feet and respond to the civil lawsuit for damages. Are you planning to delay this for another year? People already know your pattern of trying to cover things up by attacking first.
Don't try to use the media to paint yourself as the only victim. You came to me desperately asking for a settlement, and after I trusted you and handed over the documents you needed, you delayed everything until your movie was released, stabbed me in the back, and walked away. Let's see how you're going to explain trying to come back and do the same thing again."
The allegations quickly spread online, leading to widespread discussion across Korean social media.
Need to Know
- Hwang Jung-min met his wife, Kim Mi-hye, in 1994 while performing in the musical Cats. After dating for 10 years, the couple married on September 6, 2004. Kim Mi-hye, a former musical actress, is now the founder and CEO of SEM Company, the agency that represents Hwang, and has been leading the agency's legal response to the ongoing controversy. The couple have two children, including their eldest son, Hwang Sae-hyun, who was reportedly contacted by the woman accused in the stalking case, an incident that prompted further legal action.
What Did His Agency Say?
Not long after the posts went viral, Hwang Jung-min's agency released an official statement strongly denying the narrative being presented.
According to the agency, the woman behind the posts is already a criminal suspect in an ongoing stalking case involving the actor. They said Hwang filed a criminal complaint against her last year after what they described as continuous harassment.
The agency also revealed that a court has issued three separate restraining orders against the woman. In addition, she was fined 3 million won through a summary order.
However, according to local media, the woman has challenged that fine and requested a formal trial. She has also reportedly filed a separate civil lawsuit seeking damages from Hwang Jung-min.
While condemning the latest Instagram posts, the agency described the recordings and other materials as "maliciously edited" and confirmed that it plans to pursue additional legal action. However, the statement did not directly address whether the voice recordings themselves were authentic.
Why Is Hwang Jung-min's Son Being Mentioned?
As the controversy continued, another report added a new layer to the case.According to Money Today, the woman allegedly contacted Hwang Jung-min's teenage son after the actor had already asked her to stop reaching out to him.
The report says she sent a KakaoTalk message to the actor's high-school-aged son on the night of February 10, 2024. On the same day, she also allegedly sent Hwang several emotional messages referring to what appeared to be a suicide attempt.
The complaint reportedly states that Hwang had already asked the woman to stop contacting him in December 2023. After she reached out to his son, the actor agreed to meet her at a café in Seoul on March 14, 2024.
According to the complaint reviewed by Money Today, Hwang said he never told his family about the woman's alleged threats of self-harm or her repeated requests to contact and meet with him.
What Is Ms. A Saying?
The woman, identified only as Ms. A, has since spoken publicly following the agency's statement.
In an interview with StarNews, she said she had seen the agency's response and acknowledged that the court had imposed a 3 million won fine. However, she stressed that she is challenging the decision through formal court proceedings.
Ms. A also argued that Hwang Jung-min's side is trying to portray her solely as a stalking suspect, saying that is now the only defence they have left.
What Else Has Been Reported?
StarNews also reported that Hwang Jung-min and Ms. A first met in August 2023 and remained in frequent contact for around two years. According to the report, the two exchanged numerous messages during that time.
Ms. A further claimed that those conversations included sexual remarks, proposals to meet, discussions about possible business opportunities, and exchanges of selfies and other personal photos.
So, Where Does the Case Stand Now?
At this stage, many of Ms. A's allegations remain disputed, and no court has ruled on the affair claims. Meanwhile, Hwang Jung-min's agency continues to maintain that the woman is the subject of an ongoing stalking case and has announced plans to take further legal action over what it describes as false and manipulated online posts.
With both criminal and civil proceedings still underway, the case is expected to continue unfolding in the coming months.
