Cha Seung-won cleared of libel charges

Actor Cha Seung-won was cleared of libel charges as the biological father of his stepson Cha No-ah dropped the case, the actor’s agency said on Wednesday.

According to YG Entertainment, No-ah’s biological father, only identified by his surname Cho, dropped his 100 million won ($931,000) lawsuit against the action movie star, after the actor issued an official apology.

Cha apologized for telling a “white lie” about his stepson No-ah, a professional gamer, by alleging they were biologically related. 

“My wife and I admit that we told a bit of a lie for No-ah,” the embattled 44-year-old father of the 22-year-old told local sports daily Sports Dong-a. “Our apologies to everyone. We could not tell everything as it was. We ask for your understanding,” he added.

The controversy stemmed from a book of essays by the actor’s wife, Lee Soo-jin, that was published in 1999. Some parts about bringing up No-ah, such as the portrayal of Cha Seung-won and Lee together watching the squirming baby turning over for the first time, turned out to be totally made up; No-ah was already 3 years old when his mother married the actor.

“The kid did not know (that he was not blood-related). … I am doing alright ― I am making it through without emotional breakdowns,” the actor was quoted as saying.

Recently, the actor’s family has been dealing with No-ah being prosecuted for drug abuse and facing sexual assault charges.

By Chung Joo-won and news report
(joowonc@heraldcorp.com)