"Love Catcher" Season 1 alum and influencer Kim Ji-yeon (29), who is in the middle of a divorce case with Lotte Giants pitcher Jung Chul-won (26), has issued a statement through her legal representative. In it, her side alleges domestic abuse and says she will pursue legal action to protect custody of their child.
Attorney Lee Jae-hee of Haedeun Law Firm said they were speaking up as speculation and misinformation spread online, even as public support for Kim has grown.
According to Lee, Kim “experienced ongoing suffering, including domestic violence, even while caring for a young child,” and recently received multiple tips suggesting Jung’s alleged infidelity. Lee added that Kim tried to resolve matters amicably and keep the marriage intact for their child, but “after the father left the child and stopped paying child support, his counsel raised divorce and custody issues,” leaving her disheartened. These claims have not been independently verified.
The couple’s private life drew attention after Kim posted messages hinting at marital strain. In response, Jung’s legal representative acknowledged the discord in comments to local media, saying he intends to act responsibly as a father, seek to maximize his custody rights, and focus on training so that the child is not negatively affected during the proceedings.
Kim’s camp says their top priority is safeguarding the child and preserving custody, and that they are prepared to take all necessary legal steps. They also asked the public to avoid actions that could harm Jung’s team or his teammates, stressing that the matter is a private family issue.
Kim and Jung announced a premarital pregnancy in March 2024 and welcomed a son in August. The pair were already legally married and held a wedding ceremony in December last year, but news of their split followed about a month later.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)