that's an unfair lawsuit.. probably a golddigger.. good thing he refused.. just like Kdramas..

I think they paid her large sum of money and asked her to keep quite. This is normal practise by big big name either in politics, busines and entertainment.

whew!

Thanks javabeans for highlighting this, really appreciate the update.

I Saw the Devil character posters were just out, too.

@ lovelyu - I couldn't agree more...his company probably just pay her whatever she asked so she'll keep her mouth shut that''s all...normal for a big star to do.

I am glad that LBH won't deal with this anymore. He should concentrate more in making films/dramas than these issues. :) More power LBH!

hmm, it's probably true that she was paid to keep her silence... but then, that just goes to show you what she was really after - money. if she was really intent to prove to the world that he did all that to her, then no amount of money should have been able to persuaded her to do anything.. just my thought anyway.

Gambling is illegal in Korea? But since he was overseas isnt that ok?

I do smell money (very big money) changing hands in this incident! The lawsuit may have been dismissed, record of the complaint may have been erased in court records, but how do you erase the collective memory of people? Everytime I would see him onscreen from now on I would forever remember that he has a penchance for females so much younger than he is, which just creeps me out.

Definitely paid. LBH is a top star and they just wanted to have this be over as soon as possible. What's like 1MM be to him right?

What a great pic, at first I didn't think it was him. Looks so young and handsome!!

#7:

wouldn't you do the same if you were her? i know i would. honestly which stupid woman would pass such huge amount of money just for 'love'??? c'mmon, we are not living in a Romeo and Juliet era anymore...

If LBH had wanted to paid up to silent his ex-GF and gang , he would not gone to court to countersue .

Guess the moment he starts giving in to blackmails , it will never end.

That is how I felt abt the whole situation that this time, he didn't want to pay those crooks.

However, there is a trend lately abt korean actors marrying women half their age.

Wonder whether the marriage can lasts.

Honestly, isn't the issue that it was kind of sickening of her to file in the first place? I really think that it makes women look bad. I mean how many women are deluded by promises of marriage that never pan out? Countless, don't you think? [Not that its ok but that its life. One should be more careful about relationships, whether with rich, famous or blue collar men.]
I really don't care if her claims were true or false, whether she was paid off or if what was reported was factual outcome. I think its sad that either way you cut it, she still looks bad for not being a woman of integrity, foresight or endurance, which in turn makes her initial claims seem false and exclusively monetary minded.

There is no amnesty for irresponsibility, if one did something then one must fully handle any consequences.

Gold digger?
Empty promises?
Defamation?
Integrity?

Live and learn dude.

@ 'cille: lost career opportunities were part of her accusations against him, so financial compensation should be attractive to her - if it did take place. from the outset she was charging things very difficult to prove -- it's not rape or domestic violence/assault, or even contractual a agreements involving physical properties that can be documented and quantified. it's just loss of dignity of a "kept woman" too naive to know she was one, & for such short time too (just going with the logic of her story here...)

he's in the image business where every word, picture the public knows about a star is carefully orchestrated and controlled - not to mention in a market like hallyu where you have to reach the most people with approximate cultures and enough difference in language plus subtle cultural sensibilities, to overcome with constant stream of Image Campaigns.

in that sense, this has bee the most interesting as PR disaster control (her accusations aim squarely at spoiling the fantasy of his core audience & specific nature of his star persona/image), and probably serves as future blueprint for all pan-asian stars who wish to exercise the greatest control over their image (Jackie Chan only wishes he had the same team:P)

None of this is meant to knock LBH though - he's good at what he does, and normally beyond getting the basic "it's just entertainment" out of the celeb-audience we don't know the real people behind the images anyway (i.e. the fact they appear "genuine", "sincere" are exactly the make-believe of how a branded image should work - unless you're lee hyo-ri:P) but i did find it either just way too creative, or simply amusing gossip-fodder, that her original charges painted such a character out of his Japanese sponsors - the go-between who enables the elaborate organization of a certain lifestyle balanced with big business demands, and limiting the extent of her knowledge/communication, thus her power to negotiate to her best advantage during their short affair together.

that man...is the true wizard, no?

Well said.

I think there are faults on both sides of course - LBH for having bad taste in women and that chick for being bought out for money.

On a side note: To be honest, I don't see what is so bad about LBH dating younger women. He looks young, has money and fame and doubtlessly has chicks who are of EVERY age flinging themselves at him. Aren't the girls who are half his age that are throwing themselves at him (aka by THEIR own choice) just as liable as the "old" men who like em young? It's consensual and so long they are both of legal age, I see no problem with it (legally speaking). If you both want it - what is age, whatever the reasons may be?

well frankly we never know and lol its really none of our business anyway. But its wrong to only blame one party when as it didn't go to court, you can not know the details, you only knee jerking in defence of an idol you like, witch is understandable long as it not calling for the girls death or something, as likely has happened in blog sites that his fans set up.{personalty I think death threat by fans or other comments should both be illegal and backed up with prosecutions, same as sending paper mail letter with threats}
And it is right, the way it just 'went away' can only lead those who are not his fans/or anti fans, just come to the conclusion that the lady was paid off out of court.
Old man young girl..heck isn't that the norm in Korea where a male not thinking of marriage till in his 30's while the female an old maid/spinster at 30, with that kind of prejudice of course how else can it turn out?

He looks like Hyun Bin in this picture... hoooot. Excuse the shallowness of my comment amongst the celebrity right-wrong behavior debate, hah.

Though it's usually the fans responding in defence of their faves, there're also anti-fans targeting LBH fan blogs and harrassing the fans themselves in the recent lawsuit situation, championing the girl and calling him crude names. Sure.. the fans are weird creatures, anti-fans are even worst. To a lesser extend.. even 'friends' inched away at forums as well as changing IDs whatnots. No matter how people look at this.. with ot without certain info etched in their minds.. it's never a win-win .. for her or him. A lesson of the heart to be learned the hard way and just move on.

Again, thanks to dramabeans for highlighting this update of clarification.

DAYUM that picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at that perfect jawline. He's got such great bones.
The fact that he dates very young girls makes me a little queasy .
LBY, next time only over 25 year olds please.

He is so lucky!!!!!!!! He's working with KJW again.

I'm so NOT a fan of this dude. I really don't understand his so called appeal at all. As a matter of fact, he is a major turn-off, in my humble opinion.

I'm glad that it's all over. I can just imagine the mess the whole things created for both parties.

By the way, I'm not a fan of Lee Byung Hun but he looks dashing in the pic.

o_O

It must suck to be a rich celebrity. Never know what people's true intentions are.

Oh aigoo..............

That's very great for him to refuse and finally end at his troublesome what happened that before about his ex girlfriend and him. Aigoo......Ah, I hope he will be careful from now and don't do that next time, hmm!

To #24 Sonam --- Lolz, of course, I am sure that Lee Byung Heon should not looking for dating with young women that it really made me uneasy a bit. Ahh.....it doesn't matter about their age -- I hope he will prefer looking for older woman better.

Bravo for good news. Hmm. (little grins)

lmfao I find the lawsuit stupid, we are now in times where mostly everybody is having sex without thinking of marriage. Its not like he put a gun in her head and be like lets have sex, if that were the case then she would have said it was rape, but she let him so its just showing how stupid she was lol.

@mari
you made me laugh at work. i really think the woman is stupid, does she know how many women would throw themselves at LBH just to even have one date with him? she should consider herself lucky. anyways it is sad that she thought she could marry him, but he's such a big star, does she think she can live up to the fame?

i just think the lawsuit is stupid, at least he didn't do bad stuff to her, how can she file something like this based on a stupid promise.

blah.

@ #13 - hmm, i don't know about love, but money can't buy happiness.. and money can't erase everything.

@ #18 - i'm sure that she "lost career opportunities" at the time she decided (on her own accord) to be with LBH.

my opinion is this, it doesn't matter how old you both are in a given relationship - what matters is BOTH of you decided to be in it. so if it doesn't work out, you should be prepared to accept...

#28

talking about morals, she wouldn't sleep with him in the first place without being really certain that he's marrying her if she's someone who really look up to morals. That's where all the mess started. So, since it can't be undone, why not plunge a little further with some financial guarantee?? you talk about moral when someone's a golddigger but why don't you talk about moral when a young girl practically gives herself to any man on the street?

@10

umm...sorry to break you bubble, sweethart, but EVERY MEN likes young women (women younger than 25). Many might not admit it, but trust me, behind closed doors, all guys lust after young hot chicks.

well, just wanted to say that i am not exactly in LBH fan (just never watched anything he did), but either way all this stuff screamed sketchy from the first moment. honestly speaking, why so many pictures of the ROOM? she had tons as if this was in some way planned from the start. plus the timing, too. whether she was paid out or not, i dont see this as something that was LBH's fault alone.

just glad its over.

Good that it is over, can't believe she is from the same city as me

Funny how everyone jumped into conclusions that he paid her off. What say you now that the case hasn't really been closed?

Hmmmm...I was hoping she would pursue the case and nail his @zz. These celebrities think they can get away with anything and many of them think they are above the law. This guy lied to her, played with her and then ditched her when he no longer wanted her. She seem to be a very naive young girl who probaby thought he loved her. I doubt he paid her off. She left for Canada at the end of last year. Maybe it was because he was sponsoring her while she was in Korea and once that was over she legally could no longer stay in the country. Hence, she missed the court dates and the case was dropped. Wouldn't be surprised if his people had something to do with her having to leave Korea. I honestly don't think he paid her off. Eitherwise, he would have paid her (like Kayne West did with Amber Rose when their relationshiph ended) before the situation ever became public. Many western celebrities have contracts with their significant others. People in the relationships can not publicly discuss the relationship they have with the famous person. Many of them are paid money to keep quiet. Rumor is Amber Rose was paid $1 milliion to keep her mouth shut about Kayne West's habits.

#37 annie
I agree. I am from Toronto too. Embarrassing.
#35 starscream
I think older men prefer the younger ones. BUT younger men adore and love older women.
LBH is missing out, big time.
Saw a pic of the aformentioned Ms. Kwon....LBH musta had beer bottle
glasses on.