“Is love blind, or is it a façade?” This question resonates with K-pop fans worldwide as shocking revelations about Seo Dong Hoon, the boyfriend of former T-ara member Areum, come to light.

On April 1, Dispatch labeled the idol’s boyfriend as “The 2nd coming of Jeon Chung Jo” after the notorious fraudster who allegedly scammed Olympic athlete Nam Hyun Hee.

Seo Dong Hoon, who connected with Areum over social media, has been exposed for his fraudulent activities with ex-girlfriends. The couple, who initially seemed to be in a loving relationship, ended up seeking funds for allegedly fabricated medical expenses.

The story takes a darker turn as it is revealed that Seo Dong Hoon has a criminal past. He served prison time in 2021 for charges including fraud, sexual assault, and making threats. Two out of the three victims in his crimes were his former girlfriends.

Could it be that Areum was fooled by Seo Dong Hoon’s fake Instagram page? Although we couldn’t find when their love first started, we can trace back to when the fraud began. Areum and Seo Dong Hoon began asking acquaintances for money just 2 months after meeting.

— Dispatch

After being released from prison in September 2023, Seo Dong Hoon falsely portrayed himself as a screenwriter affiliated with Lotte Entertainment. However, just two months after their initial meeting, the couple started soliciting money from acquaintances. They borrowed approximately 30.0 million KRW (about $22,300 USD) from devoted T-ara fans, claiming the funds were urgently needed to cover medical expenses for Areum’s child. They even went to the extent of sending photos of themselves purportedly at a hospital to further convince acquaintances to part with their money.

Out of the total 44.0 million KRW (about $32,700 USD) borrowed, the couple has only repaid a mere 2.00 million KRW (about $1,490 USD). At least 10 victims fell prey to the couple’s elaborate fraud scheme.

Hours after these revelations were made, Areum took to her Instagram stories reacting to the allegations. Her translated note read, “I was interviewed for a rebuttal article. Interview requests keep coming in. I don’t do interviews. I’m the one talking in this world, I don’t care at all. Fans, don’t worry. When I leave Instagram, the truth will be revealed by law. We can just laugh comfortably at that time.”

This shocking revelation has left fans and the entertainment industry in disbelief, raising questions about the authenticity of celebrity relationships and the dark side of fame. As the story unfolds, fans worldwide are hoping for justice and clarity in this convoluted tale of love, deceit, and betrayal.