In late 2021, at the height of his fame with Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Kim Seon Ho found himself at the center of a controversy that nearly ended his career overnight.
An anonymous online post accusing him of coercing his ex-girlfriend into an abortion stirred a storm. It painted him as a cold, manipulative star who had betrayed fans.
Within days, the rising actor lost millions in advertising deals, upcoming films dropped him, and variety shows erased him from broadcasts.
But as weeks passed, it became clear that the truth was not as black and white as many headlines first suggested. Private messages, leaked chats, and testimony from close friends revealed a completely different side to the story.
How the Kim Seon Ho Abortion Controversy Began
Kim Seon Ho became a household name after playing the charming dentist Hong Du Sik in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, which concluded on October 17, 2021. Right as the drama was ending, an anonymous post with serious accusations overshadowed its success.
A woman who claimed to be Kim’s ex-girlfriend wrote an online post under the name Actor K’s Ex. She accused him of coercing her into having an abortion. According to her post, Kim Seon Ho persuaded her to terminate her pregnancy in 2020. He promised to marry her once she aborted the child but broke up with her by phone instead.
She also accused him of putting money and success above all else, even at the expense of people close to him.
The ex-girlfriend claimed that K told her he would face a 900 million won advertising penalty if she had the baby, which turned out to be a lie to pressure her into an abortion. She said he promised they would marry in two years and live together the following year. In the end, she went through with the abortion and said K only sent her 2 million won for the procedure and hospital costs. She added that she never complained or blamed him because she feared upsetting him.
The post did not mention his name outright but referred to him as a rising star “Actor K.” As rumors spread, online communities and YouTubers quickly identified him as Kim Seon Ho.
Kim Seon Ho Admits and Apologizes For His Actions
Three days later, on October 20, 2021, Kim Seon Ho released a public statement through his agency, SALT Entertainment. He indirectly admitted that the accusation was true, at least partly.
In his handwritten apology, Kim wrote, “I and the person were in a relationship exchanging good feelings. Over the course of the relationship, I hurt her due to my carelessness and inconsiderate actions. I wanted to apologize in person but failed to do so and am waiting for her.”
He publicly apologized to fans, colleagues, and everyone affected, saying, “I was able to become actor Kim Seon Ho with everyone’s support, but I took it for granted. I am sorry for causing trouble over my work and to the production staff. I apologize to everyone who was hurt by me.”
The Ex-Girlfriend Responds to His Apology
One day after Kim Seon Ho’s statement, on October 21, 2021, the ex-girlfriend posted again. She admitted she had received Kim’s apology and said there had been “some misunderstanding” between them. She also said she felt uncomfortable seeing him collapse because of her words.
“I’m sorry that my writing seems to have caused unintentional damage to many people. There was a time when we truly loved each other, and I don’t feel good watching him collapse in a single moment due to my extreme writing.”
Her lawyer later added that she would take legal action against malicious posts and misinformation. The legal team claimed her personal details were being exposed online, causing her severe distress.
Career Fallout
His apology did little to stop the immediate fallout. Within days. Kim Seon Ho’s clean, boyfriend-like image collapsed overnight.
When the anonymous abortion claim first went viral, companies cut ties instantly. He was pulled from endorsements with Domino’s Pizza Korea and the online retailer 11STREET, which scrubbed his face from social media. His scheduled press interviews for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha were scrapped. The Start Up actor was removed from the popular KBS variety show 2 Days & 1 Night Season 4, a mainstay since 2019.
He was dropped from film projects, including Pretty Crazy, and the role went to Ahn Bo Hyun. Later, Dispatch’s revelation softened some backlash.
Dispatch Reveals Another Side
On October 26, 2021, the Korean outlet Dispatch published an explosive report presenting a very different version of events. The in-depth exposé from the influential media outlet revealed former weathercaster Choi Young Ah as Kim Seon Ho’s ex.
Dispatch shared text messages, photos, and testimonies from people close to both sides. The report shifted public opinion on Kim Seon Ho’s scandal.
They started dating in March 2020 after meeting at a gathering in late 2019. Not long after, Choi revealed she had previously been married and divorced.
Despite this, the 39-year-old actor told a friend, “I want to continue the relationship. I am seeing her because I like her as a person. Of course, my parents will be concerned. But it doesn’t make a difference that she has been married and got divorced.”
The couple traveled together to places like Busan, Gapyeong, zoos, amusement parks, and the suburbs. Dispatch noted this contradicted Choi’s claim that they always had to date secretly. Dispatch even published a photo showing them at a pet café with their dog, Ho Ah, in October 2020.
One message from Choi to Kim in July 2020, shared by Dispatch, showed her apologizing for her lies and mistakes. She wrote, “Seon Ho, I’m sorry… I rationalized and deluded myself of my lies by saying I loved you and was doing it all for you.”
Texts between Kim and his friends revealed that he struggled with trust issues in the relationship, mentioning times he caught Choi lying about meeting other men or her whereabouts. Despite this, he forgave her multiple times. One friend advised him to move on, but Kim responded, “I really like her also… but the result is obvious.”
On July 24, 2020, Choi discovered she was pregnant and called him in tears. According to a friend called B, Kim Seon Ho comforted her, saying, “It’s a blessing, so don’t cry.”
They both discussed what to do and, after much deliberation, agreed not to have the baby because of their situation and his rising career. B also recalled that Kim stayed by Choi’s side, cooked her seaweed soup, a Korean tradition for mothers after giving birth or abortions, for two weeks, and looked after her.
Dispatch shared that Kim introduced Choi to his parents after the abortion and even adopted a dog for her so she wouldn’t feel lonely. They continued dating until May 2021. Contrary to Choi’s original post, friends revealed that she stayed close to his parents and received expensive gifts. For example, she once bought a 7 million won designer bag with Kim’s help.
Other acquaintances told Dispatch that Kim struggled with Choi’s behavior, mentioning she secretly filmed him, checked his phone, and was once threatened by people connected to her ex-husband.
One acquaintance summed up Kim Seon Ho’s feelings: “Seon Ho hyung said this to me — since it’s true that he let go of his child… he once loved her and didn’t want to fight about his private life in front of the nation. So he apologized instead of exposing everything.”
By publishing these private exchanges, Dispatch turned public sympathy back in Kim’s favor, at least for some.
Changing Public Opinion and the Double Standard Debate
As Dispatch’s details spread, many fans saw Kim as partly exonerated. Brands like Miima face masks and Canon Korea reinstated his ads by late October. Online retailer 11STREET resumed running videos with him, despite some public backlash.
However, the issue sparked a deeper conversation in Korea about gender double standards. Some argued a female star in Kim’s shoes wouldn’t have survived such a scandal so quickly, even if cleared. Abortion was still technically illegal in South Korea until January 1, 2021, though not punishable after 2019.
Kim Seon Ho’s Return to Spotlight
Kim Seon Ho kept a low profile for months following the scandal. He quietly returned to the stage in July 2022 with the play Touching the Void, where he faced the press in tears, saying, “I’m deeply sorry for the bad news that caused concerns to many people. I’ve looked back on my past and reflected.”
He has since carefully picked new projects, including his debut movie debut The Childe, and recent appearances in When Life Gives You Tangerines and The Tyrant.
After signing with Fantagio and getting a whooping 1 billion won signing bonus, his career looks bright with multiple exciting projects ahead. Kim Seon Ho will appear in Netflix’s Can This Love Be Translated?, slated for late 2025. He is also tapped as lead for Disney+’s fantasy drama, Delusion, releasing next year.