Woman alleging relationship with Hwang Jung-min releases new call recordings

Amid an ongoing dispute over the nature of actor Hwang Jung-min's relationship with a woman identified only as A and her stalking allegations, A has again denied being a stalker and released additional recordings she claims are from phone calls with Hwang. Hwang's side has maintained that he contacted A first only to tell her to stop reaching out.

On Monday, A held to her position that she had not unilaterally pursued a relationship with Hwang, posting on her social media what she said were excerpts from phone calls between the two.

She said "one must look at how the contact and meetings came about," arguing that her relationship with Hwang could not be characterized simply as that of a fan and an actor.

According to the recordings A released, Hwang told her their relationship was "completely different from fans," that he "talks, chats and even argues" with her, that it was "awkward to explain to his spouse," that he felt he "shouldn't cross a line," and that "a deeper relationship shouldn't develop."

A also said Hwang told her, "If we had actually dated, it wouldn't have come to this, would it? We didn't even date — how did things get this far?" and "You still like me, don't you?" and "Do you like me or not? You do like me."

A added, "The circumstances under which an unidentified person claiming to be a 20-year fan first obtained contact information, and how Hwang first initiated contact, are not even comparable to this case."

Hwang's side, meanwhile, has maintained that he contacted A first almost always to ask her to stop reaching out.

According to a Dispatch report on Thursday, an analysis of 62 call recordings — totaling more than 163,000 characters — made between Hwang and A over roughly a year starting in 2024 found that Hwang's primary purpose in initiating calls was to end contact and sever the relationship.

The recordings reportedly include Hwang saying, "I don't think we're the kind of people who should be exchanging KakaoTalk messages like this," "I'm uncomfortable," "Don't contact me," "I'm so scared of you right now," and "Please, just let me live."

On July 29, Hwang's agency Sam Company described A as "a stalking crime suspect who has persistently harassed Hwang Jung-min," saying a court had imposed three provisional measures including a restraining order and issued a summary order imposing a fine of 3 million won ($2,110).

A, however, said she has filed for a formal trial to contest the summary order on the stalking charges, and has filed a lawsuit against Hwang seeking 200 million won in damages.

The two sides hold opposing views on the nature and circumstances of the contact and exchanges between them.

The Goyang Branch of Uijeongbu District Court is set to hold the sentencing hearing Tuesday in the case against A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the anti-stalking law at Hwang's complaint.