K‑pop Idol Ko Ji‑Yong Announces Divorce After Two Years

Ko Ji Yong divorce Seung Jae Heo Yang Im Sechs Kies

On July 29, former Sechs Kies member Ko Ji‑Yong posted on Instagram that he and his wife Heo Yang Im had divorced two years earlier. He explained that the delay in making the split public was to protect their son, Seung Jae, allowing him time to understand the situation and grow up in a stable environment.

Ko Ji‑Yong emphasized that the divorce was a mutual decision made out of respect for each other's life paths and adult responsibilities. He said that, although no longer married, he and his ex‑wife remain on good terms and continue to support one another. He asked the public to refrain from personal questions and warned that any rumors or speculative stories would be met with legal action.

The announcement has drawn attention from fans across South Korea and internationally, highlighting the personal lives of first‑generation K‑pop idols.

Entities

Go Ji-yong · Heo Yang Im · Heo Yang‑im · Instagram · Jekse (JY‑K) · Ko Ji Yong · Sechs Kies · Seung Jae · Seungjae · Seungjae (son) · Seung‑jae · Superman Returns (KBS program)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] He hosted a TikTok live broadcast about eight hours before the Instagram announcement.
[● 5 SOURCES] The divorce took place in 2022, two years before the 2024 announcement. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · sports.donga.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Go Ji-yong announced on Instagram on 29 April that he divorced his wife two years earlier. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · sports.donga.com
[● 5 SOURCES] His ex‑wife is family‑medicine doctor Heo Yang‑im. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · sports.donga.com
[● 4 SOURCES] He previously appeared on KBS2TV program “Superman Returns” with his family. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · sports.donga.com
[● 5 SOURCES] He kept the divorce private to protect his son. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · sports.donga.com
[● 5 SOURCES] He said his son is now stable and understands the new family situation. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · sports.donga.com
[● 5 SOURCES] They have a son named Seung‑jae. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · sports.donga.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The divorce was kept secret to protect their son, Seungjae. kpophit.com · www.koreaboo.com · www.soompi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] He married a non‑celebrity in 2012 and welcomed a son in 2013. kpophit.com · www.koreaboo.com · www.soompi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Ko Ji Yong posted on Instagram on July 29 that he divorced his wife two years earlier. kpophit.com · www.koreaboo.com · www.soompi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Legal action will be taken against rumors about his family. kpophit.com · www.koreaboo.com