A growing controversy has erupted after reports emerged that a well-known female trot singer has been named as a defendant in an adultery-related civil lawsuit, commonly known in South Korea as a “sanggan” lawsuit. As partial details were revealed through a television broadcast, public attention has intensified around both the alleged facts of the case and the legal implications of such lawsuits.
On December 29, JTBC’s current affairs program 'Crime Chief' reported—based on a tip from a married homemaker—that the singer had been sued as a third-party accused of engaging in an extramarital relationship. The informant stated that she suffered severe emotional distress after discovering her husband’s alleged affair, despite having devoted more than 20 years to maintaining her family. The singer was introduced as a figure who rose to prominence through a major cable network’s trot audition program and who is currently appearing on similar shows.
According to the informant, her husband consistently described the singer as “just a friend.” However, as contact between the two became increasingly frequent and followed a recurring pattern of overnight absences and lies, she began to suspect an inappropriate relationship. She further claimed that although the singer warned that continued contact would result in legal action through her agency, denying the relationship, it was later discovered that the two were, in fact, living together.
The informant alleged that the pair did not shy away from overtly affectionate behavior—including hugging and kissing—even in public spaces. She said that before sending a formal legal notice, she made a final attempt to contact the singer, pleading for her husband to be returned to his family. The singer reportedly responded, “Why would you say that about someone I’ve never had?” before cutting off all communication. CCTV footage later shown on the program captured a woman believed to be the singer engaging in physical intimacy with a man inside an elevator.
While the broadcast did not disclose the singer’s identity, it stated that she would release an official response at a later date. The informant also claimed that after she formally filed the lawsuit, the singer—who had previously avoided contact—reached out first.
During a recorded phone call, the singer reportedly said, “I have nothing to say, but I am also a victim,” adding that as a public figure, she could “lose everything.” She was said to have appealed emotionally for leniency, citing financial difficulties and responsibility for supporting her parents, and even used extreme expressions in her plea. The informant stated that the call only deepened her emotional pain.
The singer later delivered a separate statement through the program’s production team. She claimed that she began the relationship after being told the man’s marriage was already irretrievably broken and that he planned to marry her once legal procedures were complete. Upon learning that the divorce had not been mutually finalized, she said she ended the relationship.
This case has reignited broader discussion around adultery lawsuits, which allow a spouse to file a civil claim against a third party who engages in an extramarital relationship while a marriage is still legally intact. Such cases are judged regardless of the defendant’s profession or public profile. However, experts note that when celebrities are involved, the exposure of private life and resulting social repercussions often far exceed the legal outcome itself.
Legal experts caution that “even if one relied solely on a partner’s claims without independently confirming marital status, that does not automatically exempt them from legal responsibility,” emphasizing the importance of objective verification before entering a relationship. As public scrutiny continues, attention remains focused on how the case will ultimately be resolved and whether further statements will be issued by those involved.
SEE ALSO: '2026 Golden Disc Awards' winners list revealed at historic 40th ceremony
SHARE
