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Singer-actor Im undergoes divorce

South Korean singer and actor Im Chang-jeong has filed for divorce from his wife Kim Hyun-ju, his agency said Wednesday.

“He has reached the decision (to divorce) after failing to overcome personality differences with his wife,” said an official from Im’s agency Wellmade StarM.

Another official said that the 40-year-old singer was currently staying in an unspecified location in the countryside to “settle his feelings.”

Im tied the knot with 29-year-old Kim in March 2006. The popular singer and then-professional golfer grabbed media attention.

The grounds for divorce were yet to be identified, but some sources implied Im’s busy schedule may have contributed. Im spent a lot of time away from home to film movies, which might have caused misunderstanding between the couple, the sources said.

Im had been separated from Kim for a year before undergoing divorce proceedings. According to reports from local dailies, the couple already reached an agreement on the custody of their three children.

Famous for his portrayal of energetic and light-hearted characters in many popular films, Im made his acting debut in the 1990 film “North Korean Partisan In South Korea” as a bit-part actor.

Not content with just acting, prolific Im began his singing career in 1995 and enjoyed success in the music business as well, being honored with The Grand Prize at the KBS Korean Music Awards in 1997.

By Yoon Min-sik

(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)