Why did Hong Sang-soo seek a divorce from his wife?

Hong sought a divorce after his alleged romantic relationship with actress Kim Min-hee became public. An associate said Hong and Cho’s marriage had already been destroyed and that Cho had been avoiding him.

When did Hong Sang-soo file for divorce in Seoul?

Hong filed for divorce at the Seoul Family Court on Nov. 9. The report also said the settlement did not include alimony or property division at that stage.

What public appearances did Hong Sang-soo miss after the scandal?

Hong was expected to appear at the VIP showcase for the documentary Goguryeo at Megabox in COEX, Seoul, on Nov. 15, but did not show up. He also skipped the showcase for his 18th film, Yourself and Yours.

Film director Hong seeks divorce after 'affair' with actress

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Summary

Film director Hong Sang-soo filed for divorce from his wife, Cho, at the Seoul Family Court on Nov. 9 after his alleged relationship with actress Kim Min-hee became public. An associate said the marriage had already been destroyed and that alimony and property division would be discussed later. Hong married Cho in 1985, and they have a daughter. He later skipped two public events, including a VIP showcase for the documentary Goguryeo.

Key Facts

Hong Sang-soo filed for divorce from his wife, Cho, 56, at the Seoul Family Court on Nov. 9, according to media reports.
The couple married in 1985 after meeting in the United States, where Hong was studying.
Hong and Cho have a daughter who is a college student.
The settlement did not mention alimony or property division, which an associate said would be discussed later.
Hong did not attend the VIP showcase for the documentary Goguryeo at Megabox cinema in COEX, Seoul, on Nov. 15, and he also skipped the showcase for his 18th film, Yourself and Yours.

Published Nov 17, 2016 4:21 pm KST
Updated Nov 17, 2016 4:21 pm KST

Film director Hong Sang-soo, left, and actress Kim Min-hee after winning the Golden Leopard at the 68th Locarno Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland, on Aug. 15, 2015. / Yonhap

By Ko Dong-hwan

Korean film director Hong Sang-soo’s alleged romantic relationship with actress Kim Min-hee ― despite a 22-year age difference ― appears to have deepened as he has started divorce proceedings.

Hong, 56, filed for divorce from his wife only referred to as Cho, 56, at the Seoul Family Court, Nov. 9, according to media reports.

An associate of Hong told News1 Korea that Hong and Cho’s marriage “has already been destroyed” and Cho has been avoiding Hong, who has been trying to persuade her to divorce.

The settlement did not mention alimony or property division, which, according to the associate, will be discussed later.

Hong met Cho in the U.S., where he went to study, and married her in 1985. Netizens have said that Cho helped a lot with Hong’s life in America. The two have a daughter who is a college student.

News of Hong’s affair with Kim erupted in June this year. Hong met Kim during shooting of his romance film “Right Now, Wrong Then” (2015) that featured Kim as the heroine. The movie won the Golden Leopard at the 68th Locarno Film Festival last year and, after its release in the U.S. in June, was well received by American dailies.

In September last year, Hong allegedly told his family about his affair with Kim and left them. The next month, Cho sought out Kim, who blamed her for “not having taken good care of Hong.”

Hong was expected to make his first public appearance since the scandal at the VIP showcase for the documentary “Goguryeo” at the Megabox cinema in COEX, Seoul, Nov. 15. But he did not turn up. He also did not attend the showcase for his 18th film, “Yourself and Yours.”

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