Nam Hyun-hee's Remarriage Partner Pretends to Be 'Paradise Illegitimate Child'
False Exposures Flood SNS... Controversy Ends in Breakup
Nam Hyun-hee, a former national fencing athlete, attracted public attention by announcing her remarriage, but eventually broke up as various suspicions arose surrounding her 'fianc?' Jeon Cheong-jo.
Earlier, on the 23rd, Nam revealed through Women Chosun that she would marry Jeon, a third-generation chaebol businessman 15 years her junior, in January next year. However, more attention was focused on the various allegations surrounding Jeon, such as a history of fraud and gender disguise, rather than Nam's remarriage.
On social media, a series of exposes claimed that Jeon's glamorous background and credentials?such as 'third-generation chaebol,' 'executive at a global IT company,' 'resident of Signiel,' 'illegitimate child of Paradise Group,' and 'equestrian major'?were all false.
Those claiming to be Jeon's alumni testified that he was born not in New York, USA, but in Ganghwa Island, Incheon, and that he practiced taekwondo, not equestrian sports. There were also reports that Jeon is female, not male, and suspicions arose that Jeon had committed fraud in the past by pretending to be a man.
As the controversy grew, Nam denied the allegations and announced a strong response. However, on the night of the 25th, upon learning that Jeon had embezzled investment funds using her name, Nam decided to break up with him. Through Women Chosun, Nam expressed her feelings, saying, "I was completely deceived by Jeon Cheong-jo."
Nevertheless, despite Nam's breakup notice, Jeon visited Nam's mother's house where she was staying. On the 26th, Jeon repeatedly knocked on the door and rang the doorbell, pleading to meet Nam, and was eventually arrested on stalking charges but later released.
Jeon Cheong-jo Pretended to Be 'Paradise Group Illegitimate Child'... Exposed for Hiring a Role Actor
There is also evidence suggesting that Jeon meticulously planned their meetings to deceive Nam. During the development of their romantic relationship, it was revealed that Jeon hired a 'role actor part-timer' to stage himself as an illegitimate child of the Paradise Group.
Fencer Nam Hyun-hee (left) and her fianc? Jeon Cheong-jo (right), who revealed their remarriage, have been embroiled in various controversies including fraud allegations surrounding them. Photo by Nam Hyun-hee Instagram
According to Mr. A, who admitted to posing as a reporter for money through an online community, he approached Jeon in January this year at a restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, where Jeon was dining with Nam Hyun-hee and two acquaintances, and asked questions about his wealth as part of an interview request. Mr. A stated that he received a script including questions implying Jeon was an illegitimate child of Paradise Group, such as "What is your relationship with the chairman of Paradise Group?"
The claim of being a 'Paradise Group illegitimate child' is a common scam repertoire. Several celebrities have suffered fraud from individuals claiming to be illegitimate children of Paradise Group.
In 2018, pop art artist Nancy Lang was deceived by her ex-husband Wang Jin-jin (real name Jeon Jun-ju), who claimed to be an illegitimate child of the Paradise Group founder, resulting in a legal dispute over a fraudulent marriage. Actor Kim Sang-joong also prepared to marry a woman who claimed to be a second-generation Paradise Group chaebol in 2003, but the Paradise Group clarified that "the former chairman does not have a daughter," leading to the cancellation of the engagement.
On the 26th, attorney Son Su-ho, who defended Nancy Lang, said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "The issue of illegitimate children in the group is very secretive, and outsiders may not know the exact facts. Therefore, scams impersonating illegitimate children continue. Since Paradise Group's business areas include hotels and casinos, information is more limited compared to other very famous chaebol families."
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