CASE THREE / THE KAKAOTALK CASE
CHOI
JONGHOON.
최종훈
Former FTIsland guitarist Choi Jonghoon was one of the figures exposed through the recovered KakaoTalk material. He was ultimately convicted in separate criminal cases involving illegal filming and distribution, an attempted bribe during a DUI stop, and sexual assault.
ILLEGAL FILMING • DISTRIBUTION • ATTEMPTED BRIBERY • SEXUAL ASSAULT
2016
OFFENSES OCCUR
2
CRIMINAL CASES
2.5
YEARS IN PRISON
2021
RELEASED
THE KAKAOTALK EVIDENCE
FILMING &
DISTRIBUTION.
Choi became publicly connected to the scandal in March 2019 as investigators examined the network of KakaoTalk conversations associated with Jung Joonyoung and others.
The evidence did not concern one permanent “Jung Joonyoung group chat.” Investigators examined numerous overlapping group and private conversations whose membership changed from chat to chat.
Choi was separately prosecuted for illegally photographing a woman’s nude body in 2016 and distributing the material through KakaoTalk. He ultimately admitted the illegal-filming and distribution charges.
FEBRUARY 2016
THE DUI
INCIDENT.
In February 2016, Choi was caught driving under the influence in Seoul. He received a ₩2.5 million fine and a 100-day driver’s-license suspension.
During the traffic stop, Choi offered the officer ₩2 million in an attempt to have the incident overlooked. The officer refused the money.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
The later investigation did not establish that Superintendent Yoon or another police official secretly covered up Choi’s DUI or prevented the incident from being reported by the media. Police said their review did not find evidence supporting the alleged press-cover-up.
Choi was nevertheless prosecuted for offering money to the officer at the scene. That offense was tried together with his illegal-filming and distribution charges.
2012 / UNITED STATES
THE U.S.
ALLEGATION.
In April 2019, while Choi was already under investigation in connection with the KakaoTalk scandal, a separate allegation dating back to March 2012 became public.
A woman alleged that Choi had sexually assaulted her while they were in the United States after giving her what she described as a date-rape drug. Choi acknowledged that he had met the woman in the United States but denied sexually assaulting her and denied knowing what GHB was.
Choi responded by filing a complaint accusing the woman of blackmail, and police opened an investigation into the dispute.
ARCHIVE DISTINCTION
This allegation was separate from the 2016 sexual-assault case for which Choi was later convicted. The publicly available reporting reviewed by this archive does not establish a final criminal disposition for the separate 2012 U.S. allegation.
MARCH 27, 2020
A SEPARATE
CONVICTION.
Choi was convicted over the illegal photograph and its distribution, as well as his attempt to bribe the police officer during the 2016 DUI stop.
He received one year in prison, suspended for two years, meaning he did not serve an additional year in prison for these offenses unless he violated the conditions of the suspension.
This prosecution was separate from the sexual-assault case for which Choi was already serving prison time.
SEPARATE SEXUAL-ASSAULT CASE
FOUND
GUILTY.
Evidence uncovered during the KakaoTalk investigation also led investigators to separate sexual-assault allegations involving members of the same social circle.
Choi was tried alongside Jung Joonyoung, Kim Incheol, Heo Hyun, and Kwon Hyukjoon over sexual assaults involving heavily intoxicated women in 2016.
Choi denied the charges, but the court found the victims’ testimony credible and convicted him.
On November 29, 2019, Choi received a five-year prison sentence at the first trial.
FINAL SEXUAL-ASSAULT SENTENCE
2.5
YEARS
IN PRISON.
APPEAL & SUPREME COURT
FIVE YEARS
BECAME TWO & A HALF.
In May 2020, the Seoul High Court reduced Choi’s sentence from five years to two years and six months.
The appellate court took into account the fact that Choi had reached a settlement with one of the victims, although he continued to deny the sexual-assault charges.
On September 24, 2020, the Supreme Court upheld the two-and-a-half-year sentence.
AFTER PRISON
RELEASE &
RETURN TO FANS.
Choi completed his prison sentence and was released on November 8, 2021.
In 2024, Choi attracted renewed attention after opening a FANICON community aimed at reconnecting with fans in Japan.
REPORTING / COURT COVERAGE
SOURCES.
Page Last Updated:
SEP 14, 2026 6:09pm