Kim Seon Ho controversy: New report reveals timeline, details of relationship with ex-girlfriend

After Kim Seon Ho was tagged in a forced abortion controversy, a report revealed the timeline and details of his relationship with his former girlfriend.

According to Soompi, Korean celebrity website Dispatch on Tuesday published an article outlining key events that occurred in the relationship between the actor and his ex-girlfriend. The South Korean media outlet identified her as Choi Young Ah, a former weathercaster turned influencer.

Dispatch said Young Ah met Seon Ho during a gathering with acquaintances at the end of 2019. In March 2020, they began to date, and in mid-March, she told the actor she was previously married and had gotten divorced.

In a message to one of his friends, the actor said he wanted to continue the relationship despite learning about her past.

"I'm seeing her because I like her as a person. Of course my parents will be concerned. But it doesn't make a difference that she's been married and got divorced," the actor reportedly told his friend.

Dispatch also refuted Young Ah's claim that she and Seon Ho "had to date secretly and couldn't even hold hands outside." According to its sources, the couple went on dates around South Korea. They were also seen at a pet cafe with their dog, Ho Ah, in October 2020.

July 2020 breakup

Dispatch reported that the couple broke up in July 2020. They also obtained a copy of a long apology message that Young Ah allegedly sent to Seon Ho on July 8, 2020. The apology was provided by the actor's friend, who was only referred to as "A."

The Soompi report published a translation, which showed Young Ah owning up to her mistakes.

"Seon Ho, I'm sorry for doing this when you must have started filming. I rationalized and deluded myself of my lies by saying that I loved you and was doing it all for you," she said. "I know all of my shortcomings."

"You probably won't listen to or want to listen to anything I say right now. But we had a special relationship. So I want to at least apologize about the aspects that hurt you and tell you my sincere thoughts," she added.

She also opened up on her insecurities about their relationship. She said the actor's success made her want to become "a better woman who is suitable to be by [his] side."

Kim Seon Ho then reportedly talked to his friend A, saying that he and Young Ah broke up. Soompi also translated the text message exchange.

"She was caught lying in the middle of the night yesterday. I told her [last time] that I would let it go just once. But she was caught lying, pretending that she didn't go somewhere with a guy when she did," Seon Ho said.

This was apparently not the first time Young Ah lied to Seon Ho.

"One time, filming ended earlier. I asked her what she's doing, and she said she's sleeping. So I went to her home with a gift, but she wasn't home. Her car wasn't even there. After that, she promised not to lie. I'm so angry," the actor said.

Dispatch also reported that Seon Ho received advice from his other friend, "B," a theater actor both parties were close to.

"She says she won't do it again. You should accept it if she's apologizing like that," B told Seon Ho.

The actor then forgave Young Ah and they continued with their relationship.

Pregnancy

Dispatch reported that Young Ah found out she was pregnant on July 24. According to B, Seon Ho told her, "It's a blessing, so don't cry."

"At first, he congratulated her saying it's a good thing. I think he was honestly scared though. He really thought a lot about it. Unfortunately, the two agreed to let [the baby] go," B said.

On July 27, B said he waited for the couple in the parking lot but they came down later than scheduled because Young Ah changed her mind, making their conversation longer.

"Both had completely swollen eyes when they came down. This kind of decision must not have been easy to make. While I went to the hospital with her, he went to buy ingredients for seaweed soup. He is someone who can't cook at all," B said.

Seon Ho was reported to have cooked her seaweed soup for two weeks.

Although Young Ah wrote in her original post that the actor's attitude changed completely after the abortion and "made a believable promise about marriage and introducing her to his parents by acting and lying," Young Ah's friend "C" told Dispatch that she met Seon Ho's parents after the abortion, ate with them, and slept at their place.

"Young Ah stayed close to Seon Ho's parents afterwards. Seon Ho worked to build trust with her. He also adopted a Shiba Inu named Ho Ah for her so she wouldn't be lonely when alone," C said.

Dispatch also refuted Young Ah's claim that Seon Ho "has a great obsession with money" and only gave her 2 million won (approximately P87,000) for the surgery and hospital fees.

However, the influencer's acquaintance "D" told Dispatch otherwise.

"Her indulgent spending was difficult for Kim Seon Ho. For Christmas, she got a 7 million won designer bag (approximately P304,700). She purchased it with her personal card and received a money transfer from Kim Seon Ho. [Friends] know about it because she boasted about it," D said.

"I have never seen Choi Young Ah pay. Usually Kim Seon Ho paid. She says Kim Seon Ho likes designer brands? Acquaintances all know who is the person who truly obsesses over designer brands," D added.

Both Young Ah's friends C and D took Kim Seon Ho's side and said, "The truth has been distorted."

"Choi Young Ah also deliberated a lot about the abortion issue. It is a matter worth deliberating a lot about," they added. "She is extremely obsessive. She opened his phone to check his texts and DMs. She hoped that Kim Seon Ho would return after his downfall. It really happened."

Secret footage

Dispatch said that they received an anonymous email from Young Ah's neighbor on January 11, 2021 that explained the situation between Young Ah and her ex-husband.

Kim Seon Ho's acquaintance "E" said the actor was "having a hard time" due to Choi Young Ah's situation. She was said to be getting threatened and undergoing a lawsuit; gangs and her ex-husband's wives were after her.

E also said that Young Ah secretly filmed Seon Ho.

"Once, Kim Seon Ho and Choi Young Ah checked each other's KakaoTalk messages. At that time, he found out about the many videos and audio recordings of him that were saved in Choi Young Ah's computer. Thinking about it from his perspective, isn't that scary?" E said.

According to Dispatch, the couple continued seeing each other until April 2021 and officially ended their relationship in May. Young Ah's acquaintances said that the actor didn't break up with her because he rose to fame but because of Young Ah's actions.

B told Dispatch about a conversation he had with the actor.

"Seon Ho hyung said this to me. Since it was true that he let go of his child... since he once loved her, he tried to understand. And that he didn't want to fight about his private life in front of the whole nation. So he said that instead of taking action, he apologized. Seon Ho hyung is that kind of person."

"He was in a normal relationship just like anyone else. He never tried to hide Young Ah noona. I'm a witness."

In response to the Dispatch report, a source from Seon Ho's agency simply said, "We have nothing to say. We apologize."

Beginning and aftermath

On October 18, the same day Kim Seon Ho's hit drama series "Hometown Cha Cha Cha" aired its last episode, reports were released about an anonymous woman hiding under the name "A" who uploaded a post in an online community claiming that actor "K" forced her to have an abortion on the false promise of marriage.

Although the post did not mention any names, many speculated that the actor was Kim Seon Ho.

The following day, Seon Ho's agency issued a statement and simply said that they are checking the facts in question.

On Wednesday, Seon Ho released an apology through his agency Salt Entertainment to his ex-girlfriend and all those who supported him, neither denying nor confirming the coerced abortion accusations.

In the apology, Seon Ho said that he was "seeing her with good emotions. In that process, I hurt her due to my carelessness and inconsiderate actions."

Following his apology, Seon Ho, who rose to fame with his role in 2020 hit show "Start-Up," left the KBS variety entertainment program "2 Days & 1 Night" Season 4. He was also removed from two of his upcoming films.

It was also reported that several brands endorsed by the actor had removed him from their official channels.

On Friday, Seon Ho's ex-girlfriend issued an apology after seeing the aftermath of her online post. She also added that she was finally able to receive an apology and that she thinks "there were some parts that were a misunderstanding."

According to a Soompi report, the anonymous woman's attorneys stated that she would take legal action against death threats and invasions of her privacy.

—Kaela Malig/MGP, GMA News