His marriage was reportedly troubled.
The recent reveal of former basketball star-turned-actor Woo Ji Won’s divorce has reignited public interest in a domestic abuse incident from nearly a decade ago. After 17 years of marriage, the news of the couple’s split was revealed by OSEN on September 14, catching many by surprise.
What’s even more shocking is that OSEN reported the couple had quietly divorced years ago, in 2019.
Legendary Star’s Divorce Exposed 5 Years Later, Unexpectedly Ended 17 Years Of Marriage
Woo Ji Won — a formerly beloved figure in Korean basketball — had long been in the spotlight, not just for his career but also for his personal life. In 2002, he married his wife, a graduate of Seoul National University’s music department, and together they had two daughters. However, despite their public image, the marriage was reportedly troubled.
Back in 2014, Woo Ji Won was arrested for domestic violence. While intoxicated, he reportedly threw a fan during an argument with his wife, leading to his arrest at the scene. The incident caused an uproar, and Woo later took to social media to explain the situation.
While drinking together at my wife’s suggestion, she kept provoking me with her words. Even our eldest daughter tried to stop her, saying, ‘Mom, please stop,’ but my wife’s words and actions didn’t stop, and I ended up losing control and throwing the fan on the floor.
— Woo Jin Won via social media
Despite his explanation, the incident had a lasting impact on Woo Ji Won’s reputation and appeared to have strained his marriage further. Though the couple remained together for a few more years, the relationship ultimately ended in divorce.
The strain on their marriage was not limited to the domestic abuse incident. In a 2019 variety show appearance on TV Carries Love, Woo Ji Won’s wife shared a frightening experience from their wedding day. Two strangers entered her bridal waiting room, pretending to be relatives, and made unsettling remarks about her marrying Woo Ji Won. The horrifying encounter left her shaken, and even on their wedding night, disguised fans continued to disrupt the couple’s privacy, adding further stress to their relationship.
I thought I might die after getting married.
— Woo Ji Won’s ex-wife
Following his retirement from professional basketball, Woo Ji Won transitioned into a successful career as a sports commentator and television personality. He even earned recognition in 2022, receiving the Best Teamwork Award at the MBC Entertainment Awards for his role in the show If You Don’t Fight, It’s Good.
The divorce news and the resurfacing of past events have once again brought Woo Ji Won’s personal life into the spotlight, reminding the public of the tumultuous relationship he has had with his ex-partner since 2002.
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