4 Korean Female Artists Who Were Kidnapped: Did They Manage to Escape? (2025)

Being kidnapped is a terrifying experience that leaves lasting trauma. Several Korean female artists have faced this ordeal, each dealing with it in their own unique way. Fortunately, they all managed to escape, but the memories of those horrifying moments remain. Here are their stories.

The Ordeal of Choi Eun Hee

Senior actress Choi Eun Hee’s kidnapping story is one of the most dramatic. After her career declined following her divorce from director Shin Sang Ok, she was approached by a man posing as a Hong Kong businessman. This man invited her to discuss forming a film production company, which she accepted, hoping it would revive her career.

However, upon arriving in Hong Kong, Choi Eun Hee was drugged and taken to North Korea. She found herself in a heavily guarded villa, a pawn in Kim Jong Il’s scheme to boost North Korea’s film industry. Surprisingly, Shin Sang Ok, who was still in touch with his ex-wife, was also kidnapped while searching for her.

They were held in North Korea for eight years, during which they worked on films under Kim Jong Il’s command. Eventually, they gained enough trust to be allowed to travel to Vienna, Austria, where they sought asylum and finally returned to South Korea. Despite their ordeal, North Korea denies the kidnappings, claiming the couple sought refuge there.

Na Young Hee’s Close Call

Actress Na Young Hee shared her terrifying kidnapping experience from 20 years ago in a YouTube video in May 2024. She was on her way to a golf course when a stranger armed with a knife forced his way into her car. Despite having prepared for such an incident due to the frequent kidnappings in Cheongdam-dong at the time, she found herself unable to react as planned.

The kidnappers, four young men, drove her around for hours, expressing their frustration over their lack of money and desire for a better life. Na Young Hee sympathized with them, attributing their actions to a lack of adult guidance in their lives. Remarkably, they released her on the condition that she wouldn’t report them, and she agreed to not uncover their faces to avoid recognizing them later.

The incident left her deeply traumatized, making it difficult for her to use elevators or taxis for a decade. Her story highlights the lingering psychological impact of such traumatic events.

Jo Yu Jeong’s Betrayal

Jo Yu Jeong’s kidnapping was particularly harrowing because it was orchestrated by someone she trusted—her manager. In April, she recounted how her manager tricked her into a van under the pretense of delivering a gift. Once inside, he covered her nose and mouth, rendering her unconscious.

When she regained consciousness, she was bound and threatened with a knife. The kidnappers, feeling humiliated by her and dissatisfied with their pay, sought to intimidate her. They contacted her family under the guise of her having business commitments, but her other manager grew suspicious and alerted the police.

Despite the initial lack of police action, Jo Yu Jeong managed to free herself and escape to a nearby salon where she called for help. Her story is a stark reminder of the dangers that can come from unexpected quarters, even those close to us.

Lee Bon’s Fan Encounter

Lee Bon’s kidnapping in the 1990s was unusual as it involved a fan. After a long day of filming, she was heading to her car when she was knocked unconscious. She woke up in an unfamiliar room, realizing she had been taken by a fan who wanted to impress his brother, a big admirer of hers.

The kidnapper even proposed to her, offering an expensive car as a gift. Despite the bizarre circumstances, Lee Bon managed to stay calm and reject the fan’s advances. Eventually, she was released unharmed, but the experience undoubtedly left a lasting impression.

These Korean artists displayed remarkable resilience and bravery in the face of life-threatening situations. Their stories not only highlight the dangers they faced but also their strength and determination to survive. The trauma from these experiences may linger, but their courage in overcoming such adversity is truly inspiring.