Former T-ara member Ahreum has lost her appeal after being sentenced to a suspended prison term for child abuse and defamation.



The Ansan branch of the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division 9 initially sentenced Ahreum in January to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, for charges of child abuse and defamation. The court also ordered her to complete 40 hours of a child abuse prevention education program.



Ahreum immediately filed an appeal through her legal representative, challenging the first trial’s verdict. However, the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division 6-1 (Appellate) dismissed her appeal on September 16, thereby upholding the original ruling.



Ahreum was indicted in July 2024 on charges of emotionally abusing her children by verbally abusing her ex-husband in front of them and for defaming a person identified as A. The defamation charge stemmed from Ahreum’s act of publicly criticizing A on a livestream after A had disclosed a court judgment related to Ahreum’s boyfriend, identified as Mr. B.

During sentencing, the court stated regarding the child abuse charge:


“The defendant has admitted to all charges. Her actions caused significant psychological harm to the children’s lawful guardian, which deserves strong condemnation.”


On the defamation count, the court added:


“Although the defendant claims she had no intent to slander, she made no reasonable effort to verify the facts of an implausible claim, demonstrating reckless intent. Considering that her remarks were made during a broadcast and her prior relationship with the victim, the court recognizes that there was intent to defame.”


Written by Yoon Sang Geun
Translated by Lee So Yun