Last year was a difficult year for Cha Seung Won's family. The star of "You're All Surrounded" and "The Greatest Love" had to support his son Cha No Ah through several scandals. The scandals included a drug charge, which resulted in probation, and a claim of sexual assault that was eventually withdrawn. Cha Seung Won stood by his son throughout the scandals and subsequent court proceedings.
In July a man came forward to say that he is actually Cha No Ah's biological father and he is upset that Cha Seung Won refers to former gamer Cha No Ah as his son. He is suing Cha Seung Won, saying that his pride was hurt when the actor claimed to be Cha No Ah's real father.
According to media outlet Channel A, "A man claiming to be the real father of Cha Seung Won's son Cha No Ah, filed a lawsuit for compensation against Cha Seung Won and his wife in July at Seoul District Central Court."
The man filing the lawsuit sued Cha Seung Won for $100,000.
Cha Seung Won's agency, YG Entertainment, released a press statement responding to the lawsuit. The Oct. 6 press release acknowledged that Cha Seung Won was not the biological father of Cha No Ah.
"Cha Seung Won got married 22 years ago, and he became one family with his wife, as well as her three-year-old son born from her previous husband, whom she divorced," said the press release. "Cha Seung Won firmly believes that he gave birth to his son Cha No Ah with his heart, and he has shared that he still does not regret the decision he made at that time."
The press release also stated that the actor is heartbroken by the pain the lawsuit has caused his family. He promises to continue to do whatever it takes to protect his family in the future.
Cha Seung Won married in 1989 when he was an 18-year-old college freshman. He and his wife Lee Soo Jin also have a daughter, Cha Ye Ni, called Rachel, born in 2003. The actor has always been fiercely protective of his family. At the time of Cha No Ah's scandals, he apologized for his shortcomings as a father.
"I'm responsible for the son that caused this trouble and I cannot ease my troubled and broken heart," Cha Seung Won said. "I deeply apologize once again."
There is no record that the man who filed the lawsuit was present during Cha No Ah's scandal or in any way supported him.
