Mother's Ex-Lover Claims "Promise to Repay Upon Debut"
Court Finds Insufficient Evidence to Recognize Loan
JYP to Take Legal Action if Nayeon Defamed
Girl group TWICE member Nayeon (28, real name Im Nayeon) won a lawsuit related to her mother involving a debt dispute worth around 600 million KRW. The 13th Civil Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Chief Judge Choi Yong-ho) ruled on the 19th to dismiss all claims made by Mr. A, the former partner of Nayeon's mother, in a loan lawsuit against Nayeon and her mother, resulting in a loss for Mr. A. The court acknowledged that Mr. A had supported Nayeon's side with approximately 600 million KRW over 12 years. However, it found insufficient evidence to recognize this as a loan.
Mr. A transferred 535.9 million KRW to Nayeon's side over 12 years from August 2004 to June 2016. Additionally, from March 2009 to February 2015, Nayeon and her mother used a credit card under Mr. A's name to make payments totaling 115.61 million KRW over six years. Nayeon debuted as a member of TWICE in October 2015, and Mr. A filed a lawsuit in January last year demanding repayment of over 600 million KRW from Nayeon and her mother.
He claimed, "At the time, I lent necessary funds such as living expenses at the request of Nayeon's mother," and "Nayeon, who was a trainee at a famous entertainment agency, promised to repay the money once she debuted as a singer." Two acquaintances of Mr. A appeared in court as witnesses and testified favorably for Mr. A, stating that he often said, "Nayeon promised to repay the money once she debuted."
However, the court did not accept Mr. A's claims. While acknowledging that Mr. A supported Nayeon's side with about 600 million KRW over 12 years, the court judged there was no evidence to recognize this as a loan. The court stated, "Considering that the financial transaction records were for rent, communication fees, loans, tuition, etc., it can be seen as payments for living expenses," and "Given that Mr. A and Nayeon's mother were in a romantic relationship at the time, it cannot be concluded that these were loans." Furthermore, the court noted, "Between Mr. A and Nayeon's side, there were multiple financial transactions over 12 years ranging from tens of thousands of KRW to as much as 31 million KRW," and "Considering the frequency, duration, amount, and circumstances of these transactions, it is difficult to see that there was a mutual agreement to repay."
The court also pointed out, "Mr. A claims that he 'expected' to be repaid once Nayeon debuted as a singer," and added, "It is difficult to regard all the amounts paid as loans." Moreover, "The witnesses' statements were based on what they heard from Mr. A, not directly from Nayeon's side, so these statements alone are insufficient to prove a repayment promise." Mr. A did not appeal after losing in the first trial, and this ruling became final.
Regarding this matter, Nayeon's agency, JYP Entertainment, stated, "Since the judgment has already been finalized and concluded, it is unrelated to the artist's entertainment activities, so we have nothing further to comment." However, they added, "We will firmly take legal action against any defamatory or insulting matters that damage the artist's reputation through speculative posts in the future."
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