A remarried K-Pop star directly addressed the ₩850,000 KRW (about $633 USD) monthly child support amount reported through his ex-wife.
Although he had avoided public explanations until now, he explained the background behind paying this amount and expressed his frustration.
On October 5th, Eli, originally from U-KISS, posted a lengthy message on his social media. Referring to the recent criticism he faced, he said, “I’ve been seeing a lot of comments saying that I’m a trash human being or that I’m cheap when it comes to child support. I normally wouldn’t address something like this publicly, but I do want to explain how ₩850,000 became the amount that I pay.”
He further explained how he handled the costs related to raising his son after the divorce. Instead of paying a fixed amount monthly, Eli said he preferred to send money directly whenever his son needed something.
He stated, “Personally, I never wanted to put a price tag on Min Soo‘s well-being. My position at the time was that rather than paying a set amount, whenever something was needed for our son, I would send the money.”
He claimed that he actually sent a significant amount of money continuously during that time. “So whenever I was told that something needed to be purchased for his school, that they were going out to eat, or that there was another expense involving our son, I would send money. Over the span of a little over two years 11/2020-05/2022, I sent a total of ₩44,378,175 (Approx. $33,000),” he emphasized.
However, when he later saw himself portrayed on broadcasts as someone who does not pay child support, he was deeply hurt. Eli said, “Then I saw an appearance on Kang Ho Dong’s Bap Sim where it was said publicly that I wasn’t paying child support. Technically, I understand that what I was sending wasn’t officially designated as ‘child support.’ But from my perspective, I was sending that money to help cover Min Soo’s living expenses.”
He also revealed that it was especially painful that even people he had worked with in the past sided with the criticism against him. “What hurt me even more was hearing someone I had previously worked with agree while I was being called a monster and having my character and manhood attacked,” he said.
Eli emphasized that despite financial difficulties, he continued sending money for his son. “Meanwhile, behind the scenes, I was sending what I could and was getting to the point where I was worried about going into debt. This was also during the pandemic, when I was earning minimum wage, and much of the money I was sending came from the limited savings I had at the time,” he confided.
He explained that the situation he experienced influenced the current child support amount of ₩850,000 KRW (about $633 USD). He added, “I understand that hearing that amount without knowing the history behind it may have caused some people to form an opinion about me. I’m sorry if the amount being made public made some of you feel a certain way, but I’m not going to apologize for the circumstances that led me to that decision.”
He also said he continues to provide support for his son. Eli added, “I also continue to give Min Soo money when I’m able to see him and on holidays.”
Finally, Eli stressed that he had not wanted to make his story public. “My son is more important to me than winning an argument on the internet. I simply hope people remember that there are two sides to every story. I’m a strong believer that, if it is God’s will, the truth will eventually come to light,” he concluded.
Previously, Eli’s ex-wife Ji Yeon Soo revealed on a broadcast that she receives ₩850,000 KRW (about $633 USD) in child support from her ex-husband Eli, stating, “I get ₩850,000 KRW, but the minimum child support is ₩640,000 KRW (about $476 USD), which is the amount for the youngest child.” At the time, Ji Yeon Soo also revealed she was working part-time at a beef soup restaurant to make ends meet.
The following is the full text of Eli’s response.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of comments saying that I’m a trash human being or that I’m cheap when it comes to child support. I normally wouldn’t address something like this publicly, but I do want to explain how ₩850,000 became the amount that I pay.
During the divorce process, we were discussing child support and how we would handle our son’s expenses. Personally, I never wanted to put a price tag on Min Soo’s well-being. My position at the time was that rather than paying a set amount, whenever something was needed for our son, I would send the money.
So whenever I was told that something needed to be purchased for his school, that they were going out to eat, or that there was another expense involving our son, I would send money. Over the span of a little over two years 11/2020-05/2022, I sent a total of ₩44,378,175. (Approx. $33,000)
Then I saw an appearance on Kang Ho Dong’s Bap Sim where it was said publicly that I wasn’t paying child support.
Technically, I understand that what I was sending wasn’t officially designated as “child support.” But from my perspective, I was sending that money to help cover Min Soo’s living expenses.
What hurt me even more was hearing someone I had previously worked with agree while I was being called a monster and having my character and manhood attacked. This was someone whose show I was literally filming when my wife at the time went into labor.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, I was sending what I could and was getting to the point where I was worried about going into debt. This was also during the pandemic, when I was earning minimum wage, and much of the money I was sending came from the limited savings I had at the time.
That experience is ultimately part of how the ₩850,000 child-support amount came to be.
I understand that hearing that amount without knowing the history behind it may have caused some people to form an opinion about me. I’m sorry if the amount being made public made some of you feel a certain way, but I’m not going to apologize for the circumstances that led me to that decision.
I also continue to give Min Soo money when I’m able to see him and on holidays.
To be 100% transparent with everyone, I never wanted to have to publicly tell my side of the story, and I pray that I never have to do it again. My son is more important to me than winning an argument on the internet.
I simply hope people remember that there are two sides to every story. I’m a strong believer that, if it is God’s will, the truth will eventually come to light.
I hope everyone has a blessed week.”