Arrest warrants sought for Lee Byung-hun ‘blackmailers’

Police requested an arrest warrant for the two women charged with blackmailing A-list actor Lee Byung-hun on Tuesday.

Gangnam District Police Station said it took legal action against K-pop girl group GLAM’s Dahee, 20, and a 24-year-old woman only identified by her surname Lee, on charges of attempted threat.

Dahee and Lee have been under investigation for alleged blackmailing of the actor to reveal a video clip of the three exchanging lewd jokes unless they were paid 5 billion won ($5 million), police said.

The two women recorded the video on a smartphone when they were drinking at Lee’s place last month.

Lee reported the case to the police on Aug. 28, and the women were arrested on Sept. 1 around their residence.

Police searched the women’s homes and obtained the video, laptop and mobile phones in question. Both women partially admitted to the charges, police said.

GLAM’s label, Big Hit Entertainment, confirmed through a press release that Dahee was involved in the case.

“But we cannot reach Dahee now. We don’t know details (about the incident) as it is private,” the agency said. Dahee debuted as a member of GLAM in 2012 and starred in a cable TV drama.

Lee’s identity has yet to be revealed, but she reportedly works as a model. 

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)