When Kim Hyun Joong's ex-girlfriend dropped the alleged assault charges against him on Sept. 17, rumors spread that she had accepted a financial settlement. Speaking through her lawyer, she said that the only condition she made for dropping the charges was his sincere apology. He apologized in a public statement and when meeting her again apologized personally, although never publicly agreeing to her assertion that there were four separate incidents of physical assault.

She accepted his apology without conditions or a financial settlement, said her lawwyer.

"Settlement money was never discussed, not from the moment we received this case until the present moment," her attorney Sun Jong Mun told the Star News. "We decided to withdraw the lawsuit after receiving an apology from Kim Hyun Joong."

The lawyer felt it necessary to explain the significance of the apology in the relationship and said that she did not want her ex-boyfriend to be penalized. As a woman her pride was hurt and she wanted him to regret what he did.

"Our client and Kim Hyun Joong did not simply date one or two times, but sincerely loved each other throughout two years of dating," said Sun. "It's funny to ask him for money and there was no reason to accept it even if it was offered."

The woman, identified by one news outlet as being named Choi, reported four separate incidents of assault to the police, although she only had photographs and a medical report that allegedly supported one incident. KimHyun Joong only admitted to the couple having one physical fight. That fight was reportedly supported by the ex-girlfriend's texts, in which he apologizes for hurting her.

I have no reason to be beaten," she allegedly texted.

"I am sorry that you were bruised and hurt," he reportedly responded. "I don't know why I did this to you."

While the ex-girlfriend has now withdrawn her charges, Kim could still face criminal charges, as he admitted to one of the incidents.

Netizens had mixed reactions to the withdrawal of the charges. Some refused to believe the allegations of assault, wondering why the ex-girlfriend had chosen to go public and damage Kim's career. Others stressed that the singer deserved to be punished for the injuries he allegedly inflicted on his ex-girlfriend. If the police decide to prosecute and he is found guilty of the charges, the "Inspiring Generation" actor could still face a prison term or a fine as high as $10,000.