The private lives of celebrities often find their way into the public spotlight, but few family matters have stirred as much debate in South Korea this spring as the divorce saga involving the son of singers Hong Seobeom and Jo Gapgyeong. What began as a personal marital dispute has evolved into a contentious legal and media battle, with allegations of infidelity, financial wrangling, and claims of family neglect all playing out in public view.
According to multiple media outlets, including Herald Economy and MediaPen, the controversy centers on Hong Seobeom and Jo Gapgyeong’s son (identified in reports as B) and his now ex-wife, referred to as A. The couple’s relationship began in August 2021, when they were introduced by mutual acquaintances. After a period of cohabitation, they married in February 2024. A became pregnant the following month, but the marriage quickly unraveled amid allegations of infidelity.
A claims that just one month into her pregnancy, in April 2024, B—who worked as a contract physical education teacher at a high school—began an affair with a female colleague. The affair, she said in interviews with the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' and as reported by Star News, included late-night phone calls, outings to the movies, and other private meetings. When A confronted both her husband and the other woman, she says B left their home on June 7, 2024. The following month, A met with the other woman, who reportedly admitted to having sexual relations with B.
Unable to salvage the marriage, A filed for divorce in October 2024, just eight months after their wedding. She also sought substantial compensation—initially demanding 100 million KRW (about $74,000) in damages and 1.1 million KRW (around $820) in monthly child support. The legal battle that followed quickly became public, drawing in not just the estranged couple but also B’s famous parents.
On September 26, 2025, the Daejeon Family Court issued a partial ruling in favor of A. The court found B responsible for the breakdown of the marriage due to infidelity, ordering him to pay 30 million KRW (roughly $22,000) in alimony and 800,000 KRW (about $600) per month in child support until their child reaches adulthood. The court cited evidence such as B’s late-night communications and outings with the other woman, as well as her admission of a sexual relationship, as grounds for the ruling. The other woman was also found liable and ordered to pay A 20 million KRW (approximately $15,000) in damages for emotional distress.
Despite the court’s decision, neither the legal nor the financial disputes have ended. Both sides have appealed, and the issue of payments remains hotly contested. A has publicly stated, including in interviews released on March 23, 2026, that she has not received either alimony or child support as of that date. She also accused her former in-laws, Hong Seobeom and Jo Gapgyeong, of ignoring her repeated attempts to inform them of the situation and of neglecting their granddaughter. "I kept sending them messages and even sent pictures of their granddaughter after she was born, but I never got any response," A said during the YouTube interview, as reported by Star News.
Hong Seobeom, for his part, has pushed back against these claims. Speaking in several interviews, including one on March 26, 2026, he insisted that the legal process is ongoing and that the case is still under appeal. "This is only the first trial. The final decision has not been reached," he said on YouTube, as cited by Herald Economy. He explained that 20 million KRW of the alimony had already been paid, and that child support payments were being withheld on the advice of B’s lawyer until the appeals process concludes. "The lawyer advised us to hold off on paying child support until the trial is over," Hong stated. "We’re just following legal advice, but now people are making us out to be heartless."
The financial arguments have become even more tangled. Hong Seobeom has claimed that A owes B 30 million KRW, allegedly lent to her to start a business, and suggested that this debt could offset the alimony payments. "At first, I thought maybe we could just clear the debt instead of paying alimony, but in the end, I decided we should just pay what’s owed," he explained. A, however, flatly denied the existence of any such loan, stating there was no promissory note and that the funds in question were part of joint financial planning during their marriage. "He’s making up stories about a loan that never existed," A countered in her interview.
Beyond the legal and financial wrangling, the case has also raised questions about the role and responsibility of celebrity parents in their adult children’s lives. A has accused her former in-laws of turning a blind eye to the situation, while Hong Seobeom has maintained that he and his wife were not in a position to intervene. "How can we possibly monitor everything that goes on in their lives? They’re adults," he said, expressing frustration at being painted as indifferent grandparents. When asked if he had tried to see his granddaughter, Hong replied, "Of course I want to see her, but with the lawsuit ongoing, it’s not the right time. Once things are settled, I’ll figure out what to do."
Meanwhile, the public scrutiny has not deterred Hong Seobeom and Jo Gapgyeong from their professional commitments. Despite the family turmoil, both have continued their entertainment activities, with Jo Gapgyeong scheduled to appear on the MBC variety show 'Radio Star' on April 1, 2026, as reported by MediaPen. This ongoing media presence has drawn criticism from some corners, but the couple appears determined to keep their personal and public lives separate.
For now, the case remains unresolved. Both A and B have appealed the initial ruling, and the final outcome—including how much alimony and child support will ultimately be paid—awaits the court’s decision. The legal wrangling, combined with the public airing of grievances, underscores the complexities that can arise when private disputes spill into the public arena—especially when fame is involved. As the appeals process continues, all eyes remain on the Daejeon Family Court for a final verdict that could set a precedent for how such high-profile family disputes are resolved in the future.