Actor Hwang Jung-min faces trial involving woman claiming private relationship

Seoul, August 19 - Veteran actor Hwang Jung-min will be facing a civil trial against an alleged victim who claims they had a private relationship. The woman, in her 40s, filed a lawsuit in February seeking 200 million won (US$142,000) in damages. She alleges she was emotionally distressed following a dispute over payment for her work on Hwang's soju development business and novel-writing project.

A mediation hearing was held on August 14, but neither party attended. As a result, the court issued a compulsory mediation decision. Hwang's legal team then objected to the court's decision on August 15, leading to a formal trial. The woman has since posted on social media claiming a private relationship with Hwang, providing phone call recordings and messages as evidence.

She states that Hwang proposed a soju brand business and encouraged her to write a novel, which she completed. The woman is also currently on trial for stalking charges against Hwang. Prosecutors requested a 10 million-won fine during a court hearing on August 11, and the verdict is expected on September 8.