The CEO of Korean cafe chain Coffeesmith has come under fire for blackmailing his celebrity ex-girlfriend A following their breakup.
On July 11, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office stated CEO Mr. Son (47) is being prosecuted without detention for blackmailing his ex-girlfriend (28) after she broke up with him in late 2014. According to reports, he threatened to release a video of her to damage her career and expose her as a "
gold-digger who took money from me by pretending to want to marry me." Mr. Son then asked for 100 million Won (~$87,000 USD) to recoup money he allegedly spent on A, who gave him a total of 160 million Won (~$139,000 USD). He also forced her to return gifts, such as jewelry and other accessories, appliances, and designer clothing. It's reported that on 10 different occasions, A returned approximately 57 gifts to Mr. Son.
However, the blackmail did not stop there as in March until July of last year, Mr. Son demanded A pay back 1 billion Won (~$869,000 USD) in cash. In April of 2017, A filed a police report, and after an investigation, Mr. Son is facing blackmail and attempted blackmail charges. Prosecutors also stated the video in question did not exist.
Mr. Son is alleging he was simply requesting the money she spent back as she refused to answer his calls. He stated A had spent a huge sum of his money and cut off communication with him, simply replying,
"Talk to my agency head."
