GLAM's Dahee & Model Lee Ji Yeon Sentenced To Prison In Lee Byung Hun Blackmail Case

Seoul courts sentenced a pop singer and a model to serve time in prison for attempts to blackmail actor Lee Byung Hun.

Kim Dahee, a member of girl group GLAM, and model Lee Ji Yeon were sentenced to 14-month long prison terms by the Seoul Central District Court. The court ruled that the two had attempted to blackmail Hollywood actor Lee Byung Hun with a video that the two recorded. The outrageous blackmail demands for 5 billion won (around $4.6 million,) was cited by the court as the reason for the prison term.

Lee Ji Hyun's continuous claims of having a romantic relationship with Lee Byung Hun also affected the court's decision.

The prosecution initially requested three-year long sentences for the two, as they showed no remorse and their statements attempted to put the blame on Lee Byung Hun, affecting his public image.

The video, which was released by Korea's Channel A in September, showed the three discussing sexual topics.

"I apologize for causing a societal stir. I regret behaving childishly. I apologize for disappointing my family, whom I love," Lee Ji Yeon is reported to have said at the trial.

"I apologize for causing so much worry to many people," Dahee reportedly stated in the courtroom. "I wanted to apologize to [Lee Byung-hun] and am sorry I did not have the chance. I also want to apologize to my parents and Lee Ji-yeon's parents."

Lee Byung Hun married actress Lee Min Jung in August 2013. Despite this, Lee Ji Yeon insisted throughout the trial that the two were intimate with one another, and Korean media outlets reported on a variety of social media messages that allegedly proved that the two had a sexual relationship.

Throughout the trial, Lee Byung Hun's image suffered and several companies had to remove Lee Byung Hun from advertisements due to the rumors.

Lee Min Jung and Lee Byung Hun have been spending time together in the United States. Lee Byung Hun also wrote a public apology to his wife in September for being involved in the situation.

Both Lee Ji Yeon and Kim Dahee sent multiple apology letters to Lee Byung Hun, but the trial continued to its end without Lee Byung Hun accepting the letters.

Shortly after the verdict, GLAM's company announced that it would be disbanding the four member group.

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kim dahee
GLAM
Lee Ji Yeon
Lee Byung Hun
Lee Min Jung
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