By Chyung Eun-ju
The chief of a popular coffeehouse franchise was indicted for allegedly blackmailing his celebrity ex-girlfriend after she told him she wanted to end their relationship.
Son Tae-yong, 48, CEO of Coffeesmith, allegedly demanded that his ex-girlfriend return all gifts and money he gave her, or spent on her, or he would make public “video clips” that would damage her reputation. He also allegedly threatened to disrupt her TV appearance by telling people she was a “gold digger who pretended to date him with marriage in mind.”
The couple dated for four years from early 2013.
Amid the intimidation, the girlfriend, 28, sent back 57 luxury gifts and 160 million won ($139,650) in cash, according to the Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office. Among the gifts were jewelry, watches, home appliances and designer clothes.
But his blackmailing continued, so she filed a petition with the prosecution.
Prosecutors said they had found no video clips that could damage her.
Coffeesmith said Son made the controversial comments “in a fit of anger” that did not reflect his true thoughts.
Coffeesmith has 50 outlets in South Korea and had annual sales of 13 billion won in 2015.