Choi Min-hwan, a former drummer of F.T. Island, and Yulhee, a former member of Laboum in 2018 / Yonhap

Choi Min-hwan, a former member of K-pop boy band F.T. Island, has spoken out about the reasons behind his divorce from ex-wife Yulhee, a former member of girl group Laboum, refuting her claims that his personal issues led to their split.

Choi said that the real reasons for the divorce were Yulhee's frequent absences from home and irregular sleeping patterns.

In an interview with Dispatch on Monday, Choi claimed Yulhee's accusations about his nightlife activities were not the decisive factor in their divorce. While he acknowledged visiting establishments she referenced, Choi said that this was just one of many conflicts and not the primary cause of their separation.

Choi said their five-year marriage faced ongoing challenges due to Yulhee's prolonged sleeping habits —sometimes sleeping up to 18-20 hours a day — and her frequent disappearances. He said that these issues culminated in repeated conflicts, leading him to request a divorce in 2023. Choi also alleged that Yulhee's actions reflected a lack of commitment to parenting their twin children.

Regarding allegations of soliciting prostitution, Choi clarified that the establishment in question was not involved in illegal activities but was a karaoke venue where Yulhee's birthday party had been held. He acknowledged that his visits caused misunderstandings but said he apologized and reconciled with Yulhee at the time.

Choi also refuted Yulhee's earlier claims about conflicts with his family and her role as the primary caregiver after their divorce. He expressed frustration over Yulhee reversing agreements on alimony and property division a year after the divorce and now demanding custody of their children.

Yulhee has yet to issue a statement regarding Choi's latest remarks.

Choi and Yulhee, who married in 2018, officially ended their marriage in December 2023. They share twin children, with Choi initially retaining custody.

However, the controversy reignited last year when Yulhee alleged on her YouTube channel that the divorce stemmed from Choi's misconduct. She accused him of frequenting entertainment establishments, infidelity, marital assault and disputes over child support prior to their divorce.

The controversy led to Choi stepping down from KBS2's variety show "The Return of Superman" and halting his activities with F.T. Island. Although Choi faced police investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct and soliciting prostitution, Gangnam Police cleared him due to insufficient evidence.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.