Jiyeon, 31, of the girl group T-ara and professional baseball player Hwang Jae-gyun, 37, (KT Wiz) have officially divorced following court mediation, according to a report by Newsis, Thursday.

T-ara member Jiyeon and Hwang Jae-gyun / Captured from Jiyeon's Instagram

The couple's divorce was finalized the previous day at the Seoul Family Court, with an agreement reached on asset division. However, specific details remain undisclosed, the media outlet reported, citing legal sources.

Neither Jiyeon nor Hwang attended the mediation session, and only their legal representatives were present to discuss terms.

There are two main methods of divorce in Korea: consensual divorce, which requires both parties to appear in court, and litigated divorce, where the court intervenes in the absence of agreement. However, for high-profile individuals like celebrities or athletes, mediation is often used, allowing legal representatives to handle the process privately.

Lawyer Lee In-cheol said, “Consensual divorce requires both parties to attend court hearings, which risks public exposure. Mediation, on the other hand, is private and allows legal representatives to appear on behalf of the parties. This is why celebrities and prominent figures often opt for mediation as a strategic choice.”

Last month, Jiyeon's legal representative confirmed the divorce process, saying, “The couple has been unable to overcome their differences and, after a period of separation, agreed to divorce. They have submitted a divorce mediation application to the Seoul Family Court.”

Jiyeon also expressed her thoughts to her fans through her legal team, saying, “We have agreed to proceed with the mediation process for divorce. I ask for your understanding for not sharing this earlier, and I will strive to greet you with better news in the future.”

Jiyeon and Hwang revealed their engagement in February 2022, just six months into their relationship, and tied the knot in December of the same year. However, in recent months, rumors of separation and divorce have surfaced.

Jiyeon debuted in 2009 as a member of T-ara, known for hits like "Roly-Poly" and "Why Are You Being Like This." Hwang debuted in professional baseball in 2006 and currently plays for KT Wiz. A former national team third baseman, he won his first Korean Series championship in 2021.