On-screen ‘sex symbol’ Clara announces divorce from entrepreneur husband

By Linh Le October 21, 2025 | 12:35 am PT

South Korean actress Clara, often described as one of the country’s on-screen “sex symbols,” has confirmed her divorce from her Korean-American husband Samuel Hwang after six years of marriage.

South Korean actress Clara. Photo from Clara's Instagram

According to The Korea Times, KHS Agency, which represents Clara, said in an Oct. 17 statement that the pair finalized their divorce in August "after careful and lengthy discussions." It added that the announcement was delayed "out of respect for both families and to ensure mutual understanding."

"We ask for your kind understanding and continued support for Clara as she continues her career as an actress," the agency continued.

Through the agency, Clara expressed: "I feel deeply sorry to deliver such unfortunate news to everyone who has supported me."

She married Hwang, now 42, in Feb. 2019. According to Dispatch, Hwang is an MIT graduate who has launched ventures in education, business, and real estate, with assets in the U.S., Hong Kong, and South Korea. Their newlywed home in Seoul’s Lotte Tower was reported to be valued at about US$7.2 million.

Clara, 40, was born Lee Sung Min in Switzerland. She debuted under her birth name in 2005, appeared in her first film "Five Senses of Eros" in 2009, and adopted the stage name Clara in Jan. 2012.