[instiz] [DISPATCH] “THE REASON FOR DIVORCE IS RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME”… CHOI MINHWAN, YULHEE’S CHILDCARE NEGLIGENCE

① August 1, 2021: Yulhee’s Runaway

On August 1, 2021, Yulhee left the house. The argument started over “napping.” Choi Minhwan expressed his frustration, saying, “You sleep too much.” Yulhee retorted, “Why am I living this hell because of you?”

Choi Minhwan and Yulhee live with his mother. They had another argument about the nap issue. Yulhee used foul language in front of his mother, calling him “crazy b***” and using the word “f***,” and Choi Minhwan called Yulhee’s mother.

That night, Yulhee ran away. She took their first child with her and stayed at her parents’ house for 10 days. Dispatch obtained a conversation between the two from August 10, which revealed the reasons behind their argument.

② August 10, 2021: A Conversation After 9 Days

Yulhee: Who called my mom because we fought in the early morning? It was you who tried to kick me out.

Choi Minhwan: Who was the one who said “Why am I living this hell because of you” while sitting next to my mom? If you were so frustrated and wanted to play, you should have just gone out and had fun.

Yulhee: I got angry because you called my mom and suddenly told her to take me away because we fought in the early morning. I know I was wrong to curse in front of her, and I should apologize for that.

Choi Minhwan: Why do you think I called your mom? And when did I treat you like a housekeeper? Think about it. After XX (a friend) came over, you just slept every day. Was it wrong for me to be upset about that? You. You were screaming at me with angry eyes, calling me “hey” and “you,” and I thought I couldn’t handle you, so I called.

Yulhee: You yelled first. But I know that cursing and yelling was wrong.

Choi Minhwan: Even if you’re going to fight, you shouldn’t cross the line.

③ Choi Minhwan: “Who Could Endure This?”

Could a wife’s napping be the cause of an argument? Choi Minhwan questioned, “Wouldn’t it be a problem if she sleeps 18 to 20 hours a day?”

“Yulhee sleeps abnormally. There are times when she sleeps 18 to 20 hours a day. If I bring it up, she gets extremely angry. And then she leaves the house. She’s left over 20 times in the past five years. Who could endure that?” (Choi Minhwan)

Choi Minhwan served as a full-time reserve soldier from February 4, 2020, to September 2, 2021. During that time, Yulhee had to manage three children. Could his naps have been a way to relieve stress?

“During my military service, we had a caregiver for the children from 9 AM to 4 PM. After I got off work, I took care of the kids. Also, my mother helped with child-rearing and household chores, like preparing dinner. I never asked Yulhee to cook dinner or do the dishes.” (Choi Minhwan)

④ Manager’s Chat: “I Think I’ve Came to my End”

On August 1, 2021, the day Yulhee left the house, Choi Minhwan sent a message to his agency manager.

Choi Minhwan: We fight because she just sleeps all the time, and I don’t understand it. How can she sleep all day?

Manager: I guess parenting is tough. Bring her back quickly!

Choi Minhwan: I see it every day. She doesn’t even change a diaper. She doesn’t care if the kids ate. I’m always home after work. She really just sleeps all day.

Manager: That’s only after your military discharge.

Choi Minhwan: I work from 8 AM to 4 PM. I put the kids to sleep for 4 hours each. But how much sleep is normal? She sleeps for 18 hours a day!

⑤ March 28, 2023: No Matter How Much I Try to Wake You Up

That early morning, Choi Minhwan sent a text message to Yulhee.

“Tongtong=ah (t/n: Yulhee’s name), I’m really upset. I want to talk with you, but I know you’re tired. If you sleep all the time, when will we ever talk?”

Choi Minhwan explained the situation to Dispatch.

“Yulhee just kept sleeping that day too. Even when I tried waking her up, she wouldn’t get up. I had dinner alone and drank a glass of alcohol. I stayed up watching videos with the kids from Salimnam and such. Then, I left her a message. I wanted her to see it when she woke up.” (Choi Minhwan)

According to Choi Minhwan, the sleep conflicts with Yulhee were like a repetitive cycle: sleep, wake up, fight, and she would leave the house. He then spoke about the turning point that led him to decide on divorce, an incident on August 26, 2023.

⑥ August 25, 2023: Running Away and Apology

“Yulhee left the house around August 19. She was gone for about a week. Then, on the night of the 26th, she returned home, drunk. She apologized and promised, ‘I will never leave the house again.'”

Choi Minhwan remembers August 26, 2023, for two reasons. First, on the 25th (the day before), their pet dog “Lotto” crossed the rainbow bridge. Lotto had been with them for 18 years. (Choi Minhwan) His mother cried so hard she couldn’t speak.

Coincidentally, FT ISLAND’s Seoul concert (August 26-27) was happening at the same time. That day, Lotto passed away and the concert was scheduled, and later that evening, Yulhee returned home after a week of being gone.

“My mother cried so much she couldn’t even speak. I was so busy with concert preparations. In that situation, I also had to ask for help with the kids (3 children). I felt so sorry.” (Choi Minhwan)

⑦ August 26, 2023: Apology and Sleepless Nights

According to Choi Minhwan, Yulhee apologized first and promised that she would never do it again.

However, it was short-lived. 2 to 3 days later, Yulhee went out again at night and returned early the next morning. The same thing happened the following day—she went out at night and came back in the early morning. And during the day, she just slept.

Choi Minhwan judged that he could no longer continue their marriage.

“My maternal grandmother passed away on July 10. A month later, Lotto passed away. The whole family was struggling. On top of that, I was preparing for FT ISLAND’s Seoul concert.”

At that time, Yulhee wasn’t around.

“Yulhee must have also had a hard time with the marriage. I understood and we reconciled. But soon after, she left again. She did her makeup during the time when the kids were supposed to be sleeping. She went out at night and came back around 5 or 6 in the morning. During the day, she just slept. The next day, and the day after that, it was the same.”

That’s when he decided to divorce.

⑧ December 3, 2023: Choi Minhwan-Yulhee Chat

Yulhee: Oppa, when you said you wanted a divorce, what was the main reason you made that decision?

Choi Minhwan: The biggest reason was that I just felt like I couldn’t live my life like this anymore. I didn’t think things would get any better. You and I have such different personalities, and our living patterns are completely different. We both realized that we would never change.

Yulhee: Did you not think of giving me a little bit of help, so I could take the kids and live somewhere else back then?

Choi Minhwan: I still think about it, but realistically, I can’t help you right now.

Choi Minhwan: I paid all your taxes last year. I also put millions of won in your account for living expenses. Since then, I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck. Even now, I still need around 10 million won a month. I need to save something before I can help you.

Yulhee: So you did have that thought? Even now, you still have a little bit of help to give?

Choi Minhwan: Of course. That’s why I first suggested that, right? I told you to take my car, sell it, and use the money for a deposit.

Yulhee: That was something we talked about earlier this year, so I thought of it differently. Back then, I felt like you were in the wrong, so I thought, “I’ll do everything I can to help you.” But this time, since you brought up the divorce, I couldn’t really ask for anything. My problems were bigger, and you brought it up first… and you knew the reality of the situation.

⑨ Yulhee’s Counterattack: Mediation Request

On December 4, Yulhee submitted a mediation request to the Seoul Family Court, seeking changes to custody and guardianship. What he demanded was 1 billion won in property division, 100 million won in alimony, and custody and guardianship of the children.

-> 100 million won in alimony to be paid.

-> 1 billion won in property division to be paid.

-> Custody and guardianship to be changed from Choi Minhwan to Yulhee.

-> The children are to be handed over to Yulhee.

-> Child support to be paid 5 million won per month until May 17, 2037, and 3 million won per month until February 10, 2039.

-> Mediation costs to be borne by Choi Minhwan. (Above is the mediation request submitted by Yulhee.)

⑩ Yulhee’s Claim: 100 Million Won in Alimony

“He visited s** establishments, and was unfairly treated by his parents-in-law. The marriage broke down entirely due to Choi Minhwan’s actions, and he has a responsibility to compensate for Yulhee’s emotional and physical suffering. The 100 million won in alimony is the minimum amount.” (Mediation Request, Yulhee)

Choi Minhwan and Yulhee finalized their divorce by mutual agreement on December 8, 2023. At the time of their divorce, they had reached an agreement on alimony and property division, agreeing not to exchange any money. Custody and guardianship of the children were awarded to Choi Minhwan.

However, Yulhee reversed the agreement a year later. She claimed, “After Choi Minhwan’s visits to s** establishments, my marriage life changed 180 degrees,” and said, “Since that incident, I hated being at home,” attributing the breakdown of their marriage to Choi Minhwan’s infidelity.

⑫ Choi Minhwan’s Rebuttal: The Reason is Different

After the divorce, Choi Minhwan revisited a conversation he had with Yulhee. It was the text where she said, “My problems were big, so you brought it up first…”

Choi Minhwan first addressed the allegations of visiting a s** establishment. He explained that the place he went to that day was a karaoke bar where Yulhee had hosted her birthday party. He said, “Yulhee also knows the person I called, A. He’s a karaoke guy, and we had her birthday party there.”

“The place is not a sex establishment. It was the karaoke bar where Yulhee had her birthday party. A works there, and that day, I asked about other places because there was no room available.” (Choi Minhwan)

Choi Minhwan revealed that he had been experiencing significant conflict over Yulhee’s lifestyle patterns at the time. He admitted, “In the second half of 2022, I visited bars to relieve stress. I didn’t handle the situation well.”

According to a recording Yulhee had released, Choi Minhwan had also inquired about “shirt rooms(?)” with A. He asked about drink costs and reception fees, and even requested a motel reservation. These were circumstances that could understandably lead Yulhee to suspect pro******.

Choi Minhwan explained, “I asked about shirt rooms because there were no rooms at the karaoke bar,” adding, “There was absolutely no pro******. But I understand why Yulhee could have misunderstood. I acknowledged my mistake, apologized, and reflected on my actions.”

He further stated that his visits to establishments were not the reason for their divorce.

“When we were discussing the divorce, that issue never came up. It was because we couldn’t bridge the gap in our lifestyles. I don’t understand why she suddenly brought up the establishment issue and is now asking for alimony…” (Choi Minhwan)

⑬ Choi Minhwan’s Rebuttal: Mother-in-Law Conflict is a Lie

Yulhee demanded 100 million won in alimony, citing “unfair treatment by my in-laws.” However, she did not provide any specific details. Her claim was simply, “I was treated unfairly by my in-laws, so they should pay me 100 million won.”

Choi Minhwan vehemently rejected this. “This is nonsense,” he said, sighing, “I am the one who should apologize to my parents.”

“My parents have helped with household chores like laundry and cleaning since we were engaged. When they set the dinner table, I never asked them to do the dishes. After the birth, they also helped with child-rearing.”

In fact, Yulhee herself said on her YouTube that “living with the extended family was great. There were no problems.” Yet, just one year after the divorce, she suddenly claimed unfair treatment by her in-laws.

‘Dispatch’ requested several interviews with Yulhee, but she did not respond. The reason for her sudden change of stance could not be confirmed. (She didn’t even mention any reason in her mediation request.)

Instead, Choi Minhwan expressed his frustration.

“I had discussed moving out with Yulhee. She said, ‘It would be better to receive help from my parents,’ and suggested living together. My parents were concerned about us living in the basement, so they even offered us the first floor where they had lived.”

Choi Minhwan continued, “We moved to the first floor, and my parents moved to the second floor. Yulhee wanted renovations, so we spent an additional 150 million won. I want to know what exactly was unfair treatment.”

⑭ Yulhee’s Claim: 1 Billion Won in Property Division

Yulhee submitted a mediation request to the court, demanding a 1 billion won property division.

Choi Minhwan shook his head in response.

Choi Minhwan purchased the building in 2015. The money spent on land acquisition, demolition, and reconstruction was approximately 2 billion won. He funded this with money he saved from his FT Island activities, money borrowed from his parents, and a loan (87 million won).

The couple married in 2017. Choi Minhwan explained that “during the process of purchasing the real estate, building the house, and doing the interior, Yulhee did not contribute a single won.”

“In 2020, when the twins were born, we moved to the first floor, and my parents moved to the second floor. We spent 150 million won on the first-floor renovation. As my parents moved to the second floor, we also had to pay a security deposit for the tenant (second floor). We borrowed money from my younger sibling and their spouse to cover it.” (Choi Minhwan)

⑮ Choi Minhwan’s Rebuttal: Even Paid the Penalty…

In 2017, Yulhee’s former agency demanded a penalty fee, claiming that her premarital pregnancy and marriage had affected her girl group activities. At that time, Choi Minhwan paid the penalty fee of 125 million won on her behalf.

In 2019, Choi Minhwan lent 20 million won to Yulhee’s father. Yulhee had asked for help, saying her father urgently needed money. Choi Minhwan has yet to receive that money back.

Between 2020 and 2021, Yulhee earned money through commercials and other activities, making over 200 million won. However, she did not pay taxes. She used the entire amount without paying taxes. As a result, Choi Minhwan paid her income tax of 31.44 million won on her behalf.

In July 2023, Choi Minhwan deposited 50 million won into Yulhee’s account. This account was the couple’s joint account for living expenses. A month later, the two agreed to divorce. Choi Minhwan has not received this money back either.

In August 2024, Choi Minhwan provided an additional 20 million won. After the divorce, he continued to support her with living expenses and other needs. Choi Minhwan stated, “You can buy a car or use it for living expenses” when sending the money.

source https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/433/0000112747

1. Dispatch seriously ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is so f*cked up 

2. Dispatch are honestly deep rooted in evil 

3. ㅋㅋㅋ So the man is the one giving out the interview first 

4. No matter what wrong Yulhee did, the man is the one who went to the pro*****

5. Just with the adult entertainment alone, I’m already siding with Yulhee

6. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ No but I read the whole thing and I don’t get what he’s trying to claim ……………….. He talked about all this just to casually brush off the adult entertainment? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ He’s such a joke 

7. She’s clearly depressed. Whatever he says, nothing beats the pro***** 

8. Huh? Just stay still, no matter what you say, nothing tops the adult entertainment 

9. Isn’t Yulhee clinically diagnosed with depression…? She must be having a hard time 

10. People believe Dispatch? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

11. Yeah yeah pro***** addict 

12. For someone who visits the pro****** he sure talks a lot 

13. You guys really think that all he did was only visit the pro*****?

14. The most problematic remains the pro****** 

15. Why is Dispatch acting like that lately?

16. Dispatch, who are you really? ㅎ

17. A married man going to the pro******* though?

18. You’re saying all this but it won’t change the fact that you went to adult entertainment places, and your interview was too long 

19. Not gonna read all that, I just scrolled to the comments 

20. No but clearly this was an interview set up to make Choi Minhwan look better but why did it just make me pity Yulhee even more… We all know that it’s not normal for someone to sleep over 10 hours? It’s because she’s depressed. Meanwhile the husband bast**d is going around acting like this with the manager