Hyerim, a former member of the K-pop group Wonder Girls, has revealed that she was recently scammed while attempting to purchase children's books online.
The 32-year-old singer and mother of two shared her experience on social media on Tuesday and warned about the dangers of online fraud. In a lengthy post, Hyerim said the scam showed several red flags, including being asked to connect with the seller only through the popular messaging app KakaoTalk, being sent external payment links, and being told to send a fee of 1,000 KRW (roughly $0.75 USD) due to alleged non-receipt.
"I can't believe I got scammed online. I can't sleep. If you have the energy to scam people, why not use it to work honestly? Don't live your life like that!" she wrote in an Instagram story.
Hyerim went on to say that she got scammed while attempting to purchase books for children. It is unclear where she made the purchase.
"I got scammed while buying kids' books. Don't exploit mothers' feelings like this," she added.
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Hyerim's post comes as authorities warn about an increase in the prevalence of online scams in South Korea, particularly those targeting patients and students. Experts note that KakaoTalk-based phishing scams are on the rise, often catching victims off guard with urgent-sounding messages and seemingly legitimate payment processes.
Hyerim's career with Wonder Girls began in 2010 when she joined the group as a replacement for Sunmi, who had taken a hiatus to focus on her studies. During her time with Wonder Girls, Hyerim played multiple roles, including lead rapper, vocalist, and guitarist. She contributed significantly to the group's music, participating in the writing and production of several songs, such as those featured on their 2015 album REBOOT and the 2016 single "Why So Lonely."
Wonder Girls disbanded in 2017 after unsuccessful contract renewal negotiations with some members. Despite the group's disbandment, Hyerim remained with JYP Entertainment until January 2020. She then signed with RRR Entertainment, an agency founded by fellow former Wonder Girls member Yubin, but decided not to renew her contract in February 2023. In January 2024, Hyerim joined Wave Entertainment.
Hyerim married taekwondo athlete Shin Min-chul in a private ceremony in July 2020 and has since welcomed two sons, with the first born in 2022 and the second in December 2023.
