Sook Haeng: “I forgave Ten-Pro women, so please show me mercy with a Buddha's heart”

Sook Haeng: “I forgave Ten-Pro women, so please show me mercy with a Buddha's heart”

As trot singer Sook Haeng has been held liable for damages due to an inappropriate relationship with a married man, controversy is reigniting following the release of a recorded phone call between Sook Haeng and the man's wife, Ms. A. In particular, interest is focusing on the specific dialogue exchanged between the two, as it has been revealed that Sook Haeng appealed to Ms. A, saying, “Please forgive me just once,” and “Please show me mercy with a Buddha's heart.”

A video released on the 2nd contains the process by which Ms. A, after discovering the relationship between her husband Mr. B and Sook Haeng in March last year, directly contacted Sook Haeng to request that she stop meeting him. Ms. A claimed that even after this, the two continued to meet, leading her to send a text message saying, “Do not meet my husband anymore. I am warning you as his wife,” but Sook Haeng reportedly did not provide any particular response.

The conflict subsequently escalated into a legal dispute. It is reported that Mr. B told Ms. A that he had to attend Sook Haeng's performance on July 25, his birthday, implying that it would be difficult to be with her on the following day, which was their child's birthday. Ms. A claimed that Sook Haeng continued the relationship despite knowing that she and Mr. B were a married couple, a point that directly clashes with the argument from Sook Haeng's side that "they believed the marriage between the two had already broken down."

In the released recording, Sook Haeng repeatedly sought forgiveness from Ms. A. Sook Haeng said, “You forgave Ten-Pro women too. Please forgive me just once,” and “Ms. A, I will do well. We are the same age, so please just forgive me once to save a friend.” She continued to appeal, stating, “I am also a victim. As a fellow woman,” implying that she was also in an unfair position.

Explaining her situation at the time, Sook Haeng also claimed that her actions were not intentional. She said, “I was going through a very hard time because of my previous boyfriend and was struggling alone, so I was a bit careless,” and “It wasn't like I planned it like this.” She then repeatedly appealed to Ms. A, saying, “If you could just look at me with a wide heart just once, just once with a Buddha's heart,” and “I don't want to be cursed at like that by anyone.”

The timing of this conversation is also drawing attention. It is reported that Sook Haeng contacted Ms. A after Ms. A had already filed a lawsuit for alimony, raising issues regarding the relationship with Mr. B. After the conflict stemming from a private relationship expanded into a legal battle, the parties asserted different facts and perceptions, ultimately making the court's judgment a crucial benchmark for the case.

On September 17, the Civil Division 7 of the Seongnam Branch of Suwon District Court ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff in the alimony lawsuit filed by Ms. A against Sook Haeng for 100 million won, ordering Sook Haeng to pay 30 million won. The court viewed that Sook Haeng committed infidelity, such as dating Ms. A's husband and living together starting from January 2025.

In particular, the court judged that there was no evidence to recognize that the marital relationship between Ms. A and Mr. B had already reached a breakdown at the time, or that Mr. B had deceived Sook Haeng to that effect. Ultimately, a gap emerged between the explanations of the parties regarding their private relationship and the facts recognized by the court. The release of this recording, adding emotional appeals and specific dialogue, is bringing the case back to the surface.