Gaining more and more international attention, “IRIS” star Lee Byung-heon has found himself in the middle of a lawsuit.

A 22-year-old Korean-Canadian woman, Kwon Mi-yeon, who was a rhythmic gymnast at York University in Toronto, is suing Lee Byung-heon for physical damages and mental distress that she suffered because of a relationship she believed was leading to marriage. Ms. Kwon filed a lawsuit at Seoul District Court on December 8, 2009. She’s asking for 100 million won (about $86,000) in compensation.

According to the lawsuit, Kwon began dating Lee Byung-heon in Toronto in September 2008, while Lee Byung-heon was promoted the film, “The Good, the Bad, and the Strange.” They had met through a mutual acquaintance and kept in contact after Lee Byung-heon returned to Korea. In Canada, Kwon was active in the Canadian National Rhythmic Gymnast team before meeting Lee Byung-heon.

Kwon visited Korea at the end of 2008. After that visit, she claims that actor’s sponsor encouraged her to continue her studies and training in Seoul at a Korean university, providing financial support, and that the actor also agreed to the relocation. But after moving to Seoul, Kwon was evicted after three months from the apartment that the sponsor provided for her. Then, Lee Byung-heon provided her with 10 million won ($8,600) to move into another apartment, but he had a change of heart and mainly left her feeling alone and isolated. She feels as though the actor was just toying with her emotions and then abandoned her.

Lee Byung-heon’s management first began getting phone calls since November of this year from an undisclosed group of men who threatened to expose the scandal between the actor and Ms. Kwon. The group was asked for 2 billion won (1.7 million dollars) for the blackmail.

Now, the “G.I. Joe” star’s management, BH Entertainment, is sternly refuting the claims and is preparing to bring action of libel against the lawsuit. A BH Entertainment representative stated, “Lee Byung-heon did have a girlfriend whom he met last autumn and broke up with this spring, but the above mentioned men threatened to create falsehoods about him and the ex-girlfriend while demanding money. However, when Lee Byung-heon refused to comply, they presented the woman as plaintiff in a civil suit.”