Former T-ara member Ahreum has lost her appeal after being sentenced to a suspended prison term for child abuse and defamation.
According to reports, the Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Court sentenced Ahreum in January 2024 to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention education.
Ahreum later appealed the decision, but the Suwon District Court (Criminal Division 6-1) dismissed her appeal on September 16, 2025, upholding the original ruling.
The court found that Ahreum emotionally abused her children by verbally insulting her ex-husband in front of them, and also defamed another person during a live internet broadcast after they revealed court documents related to her then-boyfriend.
In its decision, the court stated, “The defendant has admitted to the child abuse charges. Her actions caused serious emotional harm to the children’s legal guardian and deserve condemnation.” Regarding the defamation case, the court added, “Although she claims there was no intent to insult, she made no effort to verify the facts. The court recognizes implied intent and a purpose to defame, especially given that the remarks were made during a broadcast.”
Ahreum’s mother, who faced the same child abuse charge, was also sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year.
Ahreum, who joined T-ara in 2012 and left a year later, has been surrounded by multiple controversies in recent years, including her highly publicized divorce and online disputes. With the court now rejecting her appeal, the original suspended sentence will remain in effect.
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