Korean Woman’s “Male Idol Obsession” Triggers Exorbitant Debt And Child Neglect Accusations
A man in his 40s has come forward claiming his wife’s obsession with a male idol has caused massive debt and led to neglect of their 10-year-old daughter.
According to the man, his wife has been deeply involved in fan activities for a male idol who debuted on a TV survival program two years ago. At first, he saw it as a harmless way to relieve parenting stress, but her behavior escalated over time.
The husband said his wife neglected basic childcare, including taking their daughter to and from school, and avoided household chores. He recently discovered a bank notice for a loan under his name, which his wife had secretly taken out using his seal.
My wife neglected taking our daughter to and from school because she was following the idol’s schedule. She also became careless about basic childcare and household chores.
Then recently, I found a notice for a negative bank account loan under my name, hidden deep in our bedroom closet. I realized she had secretly taken my seal and taken out a loan.
— The husband
Despite the financial and parental consequences, his wife reportedly dismissed the issues.
She told me she spent money on birthday advertisements for the idol on Gangnam Station billboards and bought 500 copies of the same album just to win a fan signing event. With the loan and credit card debt combined, it’s already over 80 million won.
She said “Money can always be earned again, but if my oppa’s ranking drops, will you take responsibility?”
— The husband
Feeling he could no longer continue the marriage, the husband has decided to pursue divorce and seek custody of their daughter.
Attorney Shin Jin Hee of Shinsegae Law Firm said the wife’s behavior goes beyond a hobby, causing financial harm and neglecting essential family duties. Shin added that debts incurred without the husband’s knowledge may be considered personal and excluded from property division, but damages and criminal complaints for document forgery are possible.
Shin also noted that while a full-time housewife may usually be favored as a primary caregiver, failure to properly care for the child could strengthen the husband’s case for custody.
