Choi Minhwan opens Up About divorce from Yulhee: A Tale of Accusations and Counterclaims
In a candid interview with Dispatch, Choi Minhwan, member of the popular K-pop group FT Island, has broken his silence on his divorce from former LABOUM member Yulhee. The couple, who tied the knot in 2018 and share three children, finalized their divorce on December 8, 2023, after a tumultuous five-year marriage. Though, the aftermath has been anything but peaceful, with both parties making startling accusations against each other.
The Breakdown of a Marriage
Table of Contents
Choi Minhwan revealed that while Yulhee’s finding of his visit to a prostitution establishment in late 2022 caused a rift, it was not the primary reason for their separation. Instead, he pointed to Yulhee’s lifestyle habits, including frequent absences from home and excessively long naps, as the decisive factors.
“Wouldn’t it be a problem if I slept for 18 to 20 hours a day?” Minhwan questioned. “If you mention that, she gets angry and leaves the house. I’ve left the house more than 20 times over the past 5 years.”
One particularly heated incident occurred on August 1, 2021, when Yulhee allegedly swore at her mother-in-law and left home with their first child, staying at her parents’ house for 10 days. at the time, Minhwan was serving as a full-time reserve soldier, adding to the strain on their relationship.
Parenting and Household Dynamics
minhwan refuted claims that Yulhee’s behavior was due to the stress of raising their three children. He explained that a caregiver was present from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and he took over childcare after work. “My mother did the housework, and she never asked Yulhee to eat dinner or wash the dishes,” he stated.
However, tensions escalated in August 2023 when Yulhee reportedly left home for a week. “She left around August 19th and came back on the night of the 26th. She was drunk and asked for forgiveness, promising, ‘I will never leave the house again,’” Minhwan recalled.
But the pattern continued. “She put on makeup when I was putting the kids to bed, went out at night, and returned at 5 or 6 in the morning.She just slept during the day. It was the same the next day, and the day after that,” he lamented.
The Divorce Settlement
The couple initially agreed to a clean break,with no exchange of money regarding alimony or property division. Custody and parental rights were granted to Minhwan.However, Yulhee has since filed a mediation application, requesting 100 million won in alimony, 1 billion won in property division, and custody of their children.
Minhwan expressed frustration over Yulhee’s sudden reversal. “When we were discussing divorce, that issue [of the prostitution establishment] didn’t even come up,” he said. “Why are they suddenly bringing it up as the cause of the breakup and asking for alimony?”
He also denied Yulhee’s claims of unfair treatment by her in-laws, stating, “There was no such thing.”
A table of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|——————–|—————————————————————————|
| august 1, 2021 | Yulhee leaves home after a dispute, stays at parents’ house for 10 days. |
| Late 2022 | Minhwan visits a prostitution establishment, causing marital tension. |
| August 2023 | Yulhee leaves home for a week, returns drunk, and promises to stay. |
| December 8,2023 | Divorce finalized; custody granted to minhwan. |
| 2024 | Yulhee files for mediation, seeking alimony and custody. |
The Road Ahead
As of now, Yulhee’s side has not publicly responded to minhwan’s claims. the ongoing legal battle and public scrutiny have cast a shadow over what was once a celebrated idol couple.For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Dispatch and other trusted sources.
—
This article is based on exclusive reporting by Dispatch and other verified sources. For further details, visit the original interview here.
Choi Minhwan and Yulhee’s Divorce: A Deep Dive into Accusations, Lifestyle Habits, and Legal Battles
In a candid interview with Dispatch, choi Minhwan, member of the popular K-pop group FT Island, has broken his silence on his divorce from former LABOUM member yulhee. The couple, who tied the knot in 2018 and share three children, finalized their divorce on December 8, 2023, after a tumultuous five-year marriage. However, the aftermath has been anything but peaceful, with both parties making startling accusations against each other. To shed light on the complexities of this high-profile split, we sat down with Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim, a renowned relationship psychologist and family dynamics expert, to analyze the key issues at play.
The Breakdown of a Marriage
Senior Editor: Dr. Kim, let’s start with the breakdown of the marriage. Choi Minhwan has stated that while his visit to a prostitution establishment caused tension, it wasn’t the primary reason for the divorce. Rather,he pointed to Yulhee’s lifestyle habits,such as excessive sleeping and frequent absences from home. What’s your take on this?
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: It’s not uncommon for couples to cite lifestyle incompatibilities as a major factor in divorce. In this case, Minhwan’s description of Yulhee’s habits—sleeping for 18 to 20 hours a day and leaving the house frequently—suggests a significant disconnect in their daily lives. Such behavior can create feelings of neglect and frustration, especially when one partner feels they are carrying the bulk of the responsibilities. Though, it’s critically important to consider whether these habits were a cause or a symptom of deeper issues, such as mental health struggles or marital dissatisfaction.
Senior Editor: Minhwan also mentioned a heated incident in August 2021, where Yulhee allegedly swore at her mother-in-law and left home with their first child for 10 days.How do such conflicts typically impact a marriage?
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: Conflicts involving extended family, especially in-laws, can be incredibly damaging. In many cultures, including South Korea, familial relationships are deeply intertwined with marital dynamics. When a spouse feels disrespected or unsupported by their partner’s family, it can lead to feelings of isolation and resentment. This incident, combined with Minhwan’s military service at the time, likely added significant strain to their relationship.
Parenting and Household Dynamics
Senior Editor: Minhwan has refuted claims that Yulhee’s behavior was due to the stress of raising their three children. He stated that a caregiver was present during the day, and his mother handled the housework. Do you think this arrangement could have contributed to the tension?
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: While having external support can alleviate some of the burdens of parenting, it doesn’t necessarily address the emotional and relational aspects of raising children.If Yulhee felt excluded from decision-making or disconnected from her role as a mother, it could have led to feelings of inadequacy or frustration. Additionally, the presence of in-laws in the household can sometimes create power dynamics that exacerbate existing tensions.
Senior Editor: minhwan also described a pattern of Yulhee going out at night and returning early in the morning, leaving him to handle the children. How does this kind of behavior affect a marriage?
Dr.Ji-Hoon Kim: This pattern suggests a breakdown in dialog and mutual respect. When one partner consistently prioritizes their own needs over the family’s, it can lead to feelings of abandonment and resentment. Over time, this erodes trust and makes it arduous to maintain a healthy partnership. it’s also worth considering whether Yulhee’s behavior was a coping mechanism for underlying issues, such as depression or dissatisfaction with the marriage.
The Divorce Settlement and Legal Battles
Senior Editor: The couple initially agreed to a clean break, with no alimony or property division, and custody granted to Minhwan. However,Yulhee has since filed for mediation,seeking significant financial compensation and custody of the children. What are your thoughts on this progress?
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: Divorce settlements can frequently enough become contentious, especially when emotions are high and there are significant assets or children involved. Yulhee’s decision to seek mediation suggests that she may feel the initial agreement was unfair or that her circumstances have changed.It’s also possible that new details or legal advice has prompted her to revisit the terms. From a psychological perspective, this kind of legal battle can prolong the emotional toll of the divorce, particularly for the children.
Senior Editor: Minhwan expressed frustration over Yulhee’s sudden reversal, particularly her bringing up the prostitution incident as a cause for the breakup. how common is it for past grievances to resurface during divorce proceedings?
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: It’s very common for past grievances to resurface during divorce, especially when there are unresolved feelings of hurt or betrayal. The prostitution incident, while not initially cited as a primary cause, may have left lingering trust issues that Yulhee is now using to justify her claims. This highlights the importance of addressing conflicts and grievances during the marriage, rather than letting them fester and resurface later.
The Road Ahead
Senior Editor: As this legal battle continues, what advice would you give to both parties, especially considering the impact on their children?
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: My advice would be to prioritize the well-being of the children above all else. Prolonged legal battles and public disputes can have lasting effects on children’s emotional and psychological health. Both Minhwan and Yulhee should strive to maintain a cooperative co-parenting relationship, even if their romantic relationship has ended. Seeking mediation or counseling to resolve their differences amicably would be in the best interest of everyone involved.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kim, for your insightful analysis. This is undoubtedly a complex and emotionally charged situation, and your expertise has shed light on the underlying dynamics at play.
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: Thank you for having me. I hope both Minhwan and Yulhee can find a resolution that allows them to move forward in a healthy and positive way.
This interview is based on exclusive reporting by Dispatch and other verified sources. For further details,visit the original interview here.
