Choi Jong Beom, Go Hara's Ex-Boyfriend, Sentenced to a Year in Prison
WARNING: There will be suicide, death, and violence mentioned in this article
Before Goo Hara's death, she was involved in a court case when she bravely pressed charges against her ex-boyfriend Choi Jong Beom. Way back in 2018, it was reported that the late Goo Hara and her ex-boyfriend got into a physical fight at around 1 in the morning on September 13.
According to reports, Choi Jong Bum first reported to the police claiming that Goo Hara had assaulted him, but as a response, the actress countered with claims that Choi Jong Bum had blackmailed her with a sex tape. The issue was eventually forwarded to the prosecution on separate charges. Goo Hara got a suspension of the indictment, and Choi Jong Bum's case went to trial.
In the first ruling, Choi Jong Bum was declared as innocent by the courts. But the singer-actress's family wasn't convinced with the decision and pursued a retrial on her behalf. Just today, October 15, 2020, the court case finally made its last ruling. The final call was to give the accused (Choi Jong Beom) a sentence of a year in prison. Though, when based on law and order, the court still rules him as innocent. This was large because of the factual reason that Goo Hara and Choi Jong Beom were in a romantic relationship.
Lawyer No Jong Eon, who is the legal representative of the late actress, explained that Goo Hara had clearly pleaded that she had never given any consent to any filming. Goo Hara's lawyer also shared high expectations that the court would rule filming without permission as illegal even when they are in a romantic relationship. Sad to say, it did not happen, and he is really disappointed.
Lawyer No Jong Eon also added that the legal system of this country needs to implement some changes and consider date violence and the changes of dynamics in relationships between two parties.
Goo Ho In, the older brother of Go Hara, also expressed how they feel about the decision stating that their family has gotten a little bit of justice through the retrial. Still, they feel unfortunate and disappointed that Choi Jong Beom was ruled as innocent and only got a year to spend in prison. It is really unfair for them.
Though they are in a romantic relationship, Choi Jong Beom had no right whatsoever to inflict physical harm on Goo Hara and take photos and videos of her body without her agreeing to it and eventually used this to threaten her when their relationship is in bad shape.
On November 24, 2019, Goo Hara was discovered lifeless in her home at Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. Upon investigation, death was ruled as suicide, and police also found a suicide letter written by the late star. Go Hara's sudden death happened just over a month after her very close friend and fellow celebrity Sulli had committed suicide.
