Ryu Shi Won Found Guilty But He Plans To Appeal

The end of Ryu Shi Won's marriage could also mean the end of his career. Yesterday the 41-year-old actor, once called a Hallyu prince, was found guilty of illegally tracking and threatening his wife, Jo Soo. He was fined about $6,500 but ultimately the court's decision could cost him a lot more. The scandal may negatively affect his ability to work as an actor and his future success as a singer.

Some say he got off easily as the prosecution originally demanded an eight-month prison sentence for his actions.

It was a short-lived, troubled marriage. Ryu married Jo Soo in 2010 and she filed for divorce in 2012. The prosecution claimed that in May 2011, things were already going so badly that Ryu attached a tracking device to his wife's Mercedes Benz and recorded her actions for the next eight months.

When his wife confronted him about it, he reportedly said, "Are you kidding me? I will kill you." Then he slapped her, saying "I know a lot of bad people, so wherever you go, whatever you do, I will find out. I am a scary man."

Ryu did not deny tracking his wife but claimed he did it for her safety and that of their young daughter. A month after that he placed a tracking device on her phone.

When confronted with the fact that he slapped his wife, Ryu swore there was no physical violence. They may have argued but he said he never touched her.

Judge Lee Sung Yong of Seoul District Court listened to a recording made by Jo Soo and decided that it did sound like he slapped her lightly.

"It is admissible that when the tracking device was discovered, he lashed out and claimed he would monitor his wife during the argument," said Judge Lee.

As to the tracking charges the judge said that even if he was her husband and concerned about her safety, the situation did not warrant placing a tracking device on her car and phone. And he should not have threatened her.

"Even if the chance of him putting his words into action is very slight, it was enough to frighten the victim," said Judge Lee.

Ryu accused his wife of filing these charges so she could win sympathy in their ongoing divorce dispute and he filed a lawsuit against her to that effect. He plans to appeal his conviction, which he says he is doing for his daughter's sake.

"I am willing to do anything for my daughter," said Ryu. "I don't want her to see me as the father who did the things I am accused of doing."

Ryu Shi Won has released more than a dozen albums and recently starred in the drama "Goodbye Dear Wife."