T-ara Members and Marriage: Jiyeon’s Heartbreaking Divorce, Ahreum’s Legal Scandal, and Who Found Happiness
Once reigning as K-pop royalty, the members of T-ara have experienced love, heartbreak, and even controversy in their personal lives. As four members of the group have taken the plunge into marriage, not all found the fairy tale ending fans might have hoped for. Here’s a closer look at the paths each member has walked, from dream weddings to courtroom dramas.
Hyomin: A Radiant Bride
Hyomin was the latest T-ara member to say “I do.” She wed a handsome financier on April 6 at the luxurious Shilla Hotel in Seoul. Known for his good looks and gentle nature, her husband quickly won her heart.
Photos released before the ceremony showed a glowing Hyomin in a princess-style gown beside her dashing groom. She entered the venue hand-in-hand with her father, tearfully exchanging vows in front of an A-list guest list including Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, Lee Dong-wook, Im Si-wan, Gummy, and her fellow T-ara members. The scene was the picture of bliss, and fans everywhere wished her lasting happiness.
Soyeon: A Peaceful Life Abroad
So-yeon also found her own version of happiness, quiet and grounded. She married professional footballer Cho Yu-min, who is nine years her junior. The two registered their marriage in November 2022 but delayed the ceremony due to Cho’s involvement in the World Cup.
Though they’ve yet to hold a wedding, the couple’s life together is publicly affectionate. Soyeon often shares heartwarming moments with fans, now residing in Dubai where Cho plays. Her devotion to her new home life even meant missing Hyomin’s wedding, a decision attributed to health issues and household duties abroad.
Jiyeon: A Short-Lived Marriage
Jiyeon married baseball star Hwang Jae-gyun in December 2022 after a whirlwind one-year romance. The couple’s grand wedding delighted fans, but the joy didn’t last long.
By mid-2024, rumors of trouble surfaced when Hwang was spotted drinking with an unidentified woman into the early morning. In October 2024, they officially divorced, closing a two-year chapter.
Since then, Jiyeon has resumed work but has notably reduced her social media activity. On April 6, she posted a video of herself driving while singing Lee Ye-joon’s “On That Day”, with lyrics expressing heartbreak and unresolved longing. “If only you loved me more… Would I be happy if we never met?” she sang. The post led many, including OSEN, to believe it reflected her emotional state post-divorce.
Adding to speculation, Hwang had previously posted Fall Out Boy’s “The Phoenix,” which some interpreted as a veiled message directed at Jiyeon. While unconfirmed, these musical choices continue to stir online debate.
Ahreum: From K-pop Star to Court Defendant
Lee Ah-reum, who briefly joined T-ara in 2012, now finds herself at the center of one of the most distressing member sagas. After leaving the group and the spotlight, she returned to public attention through a tumultuous personal life.
Ahreum married in 2019 and had two sons, but the relationship ended in 2023 after she accused her ex-husband Kim Young-geul of severe physical and emotional abuse, including disturbing allegations of child mistreatment. However, a twist followed: investigations couldn’t verify her claims. In fact, authorities found inconsistencies in the children’s testimonies and suspected that Ahreum had coached them. The case backfired dramatically.
In January 2025, the court sentenced Ahreum to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, for child abuse and defamation. She must also complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention education. The ruling shocked fans who once admired her for her vocal talent and stage charisma.
The love lives of T-ara’s members reflect the full spectrum of emotion, joy, heartache, and controversy. From Hyomin’s fairytale marriage to Jiyeon’s tearful lyrics and Ahreum’s legal downfall, these stories reveal the raw reality behind the glitz of stardom. As fans continue to support them, the hope remains that each member finds peace and healing, no matter how stormy the past.