K-Pop Star Rain’s Stalker Gets Sent To Prison

A woman has been sentenced by a Seoul court to prison for repeatedly stalking K-Pop singer Rain and his wife, actress Kim Tae Hee.

Rain and Kim Tae Hee | Yonhap

The 49-year-old woman, “A,” reportedly visited the couple’s house in Yongsan, Seoul, multiple times since 2021 and disturbed them repeatedly by ringing their doorbell. According to reports, she visited Rain and Kim’s residence a total of 14 times between March and October 2021. The couple had to get the police involved, but since the Stalking Punishment Act didn’t exist back then, she only received three misdemeanor warnings.

Rain and Kim Tae Hee’s residence in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul | @wanderplanet/YouTube

On October 21, 2021, when the act was already in effect, “A” rang Rain and Kim’s doorbell again. After the singer reported the incident, the police arrested her. In late 2022, she was eventually indicted on charges of violating the Stalking Punishment Act.

The case’s trial was held at the Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Division 9, which delivered its verdict on January 10, KST.  The prosecution had requested one year of prison term for “A,” given that she had repeatedly committed the crime of stalking the couple. However, the judge noted that she was a first-time offender and didn’t appear to have any motive to harm the victims. However, he emphasized that her crime was serious and sentenced her to six months in prison.

The Seoul Central District Court | The Hankyoreh

However, Judge Kang also added that “A” committed the crime while being mentally and physically weak after a schizophrenia diagnosis, and since treating the condition is difficult, the concern of repeat offenses would remain relevant. Apart from her prison sentence, the judge also ordered “A” to complete a 40-hour treatment program meant for stalking perpetrators.