While drinking is often associated with South Korean culture, driving under the influence is considered a severe crime, as it has been responsible for many accidents, injuries, and deaths. Many actors’ and idols’ careers have been ruined as a result of DUIs. Here are 5+ male K-Pop idols who left their groups after drunk driving incidents…
1. Former Super Junior member Kangin
In October 2009, Kangin collided with two taxis and fled from the scene before turning himself in a few hours after the incident. His blood alcohol was above the legal limit, and the following investigation resulted in a ₩8.00 million KRW (about $5,880 USD) fine. The accident occurred as a result of drunk driving.
Despite this, he got involved in another DUI accident a few years later. In May 2016, the idol committed a hit-and-run DUI, running into a light pole and turning himself in hours later. Since no other people were involved, he received a fine of ₩7.00 million KRW (about $5,150 USD). Still, he has been on hiatus until recently, officially leaving Super Junior in 2019.
2. Former Coed School member Cha Joo Hyuk (formerly known as Kangho)
In 2016, Cha was prosecuted on charges of violation of the Narcotics Control Act and was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. He was indicted for smoking/taking marijuana, ketamine, and ecstasy thirteen times in Korea and the Netherlands, smuggling ketamine, and introducing his acquaintance to a marijuana seller, with his test results positive. Cha had also been charged with hitting and injuring three pedestrians while driving under the influence on October 30, 2016.
Cha took and smoked various types of drugs including psychoactive drugs and marijuana. Considering the fact that he committed the offense numerous times, we suspect that he may be addicted. It does seem like he has made an effort to receive treatment. According to the ruling of the Justice Department, we believe it may be better to keep Cha from having access to any drugs for a certain period of time.
ㅡDetective in charge (September 2017)
After fulfilling his sentence, Cha Joo Hyuk was released on December 14, 2018.
3. Former AB6IX member Lim Youngmin
On May 31, 2020, Lim Youngmin was caught drunk driving. On June 8, Brand New Music announced his official departure from the group.
Hello, this is Brand New Music.
First, we would like to sincerely thank those who have sent their love to AB6IX.
After thorough discussions with Lim Youngmim and his own wishes, it was decided today that he will no longer be a part of AB6IX as he no longer wishes to cause harm to the group.
We apologize to the fans who may have been concerned by the sudden news. We would also like to express our deepest apologies to the many people who are also working on the group’s promotions, given the current situation.
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Finally, we would like to sincerely apologize again for sharing disappointing news to our fans who have always supported AB6IX. We will work harder to have them return with even more mature music and performances.
We would like the fans to continue sending their love and support to AB6IX, who are working hard on their comeback even during this difficult situation.
— Brand New Music
4. Former Shinhwa member Shin Hyesung
His first DUI was in April 2007. At the time, he had a blood alcohol level of 0.097 percent, above the driver’s license suspension limit of 0.08 percent.
His subsequent DUI was in October 2022. He was arrested for drunk driving after he was caught sleeping in a reportedly stolen vehicle. He also refused to take a breathalyzer test.
Hello, this is LiveWorks Company. First of all, we would like to inform you about what the company knows so far in relation to the drunk driving incident with Shin Hyesung.
Shin Hyesung had a meeting with acquaintances at a restaurant in Gangnam around 11 PM KST on October 10 and stopped on the road and fell asleep after receiving car keys from the restaurant valet parking staff. He was arrested for refusing to take a breathalyzer test by the police.
There is no excuse for his behavior as he was driving under the influence in a vehicle that he didn’t even know was not his vehicle. We deeply apologize to everyone. We will update you on the situation once we become aware of the exact situation. Once again we apologize for the inconvenience.
— LiveWorks Company
He is facing up to 6 months to 2 years in prison for DUI.
5. Former DKB member Teo
Teo withdrew from DKB in November 2023 after he was caught drunk driving in October. He had his driver’s license revoked, and his company at the time informed him that his actions were unacceptable.
Hello, this is Brave Entertainment.
First of all, we would like to apologize that we are sharing unpleasant news to the fans who support DKB.
We have confirmed that on October 30, our company’s artist Teo was caught drunk driving by the police and had his driver’s license revoked. We informed him that drunk driving for any reason is absolutely unacceptable, for any reason. After careful discussion with him, we have accepted his opinions that he did not want to harm the group, and he decided to leave the group. Teo is now deeply reflecting on his immature behavior.
We recognize the severity of this issue and the responsibility we have. We will do our best to manage and educate our artists. We apologize once again for causing concern to the fans.
In the future, DKB will reorganize the team into an eight member system and continue their activities. We will continue to generously support DKB so they can return with more mature performances and music. Please continue to show your love and support to the eight DKB members who are doing their best for their comeback, despite the difficult situation.
— Brave Entertainment
6. Former VICTON member Heo Chan
In September 2022, the police caught Heo Chan driving under the influence after he drank with friends. He not only got his driver’s license revoked but suspended all activities, leaving the group.
Hello, this is IST Entertainment.
We would like to tell all of the fans who love VICTON about something unfortunate that recently occurred.
First of all, we sincerely apologize for the bad news.
Our artist Heochan was on his way home after meeting up with his friends on the morning of September 20. The police caught him driving under the influence of alcohol.
He is sincerely bowing his head in apology for the bad news. Heochan is currently cooperating with the police investigation. After the investigation is completed, it is expected that he will have his driver’s license revoked. We will sincerely cooperate with the police investigation until the final results.
Right now, Heochan is very remorseful and reflecting on his actions for something he should never have done. At the same time, he is sorry to the fans and other related parties for causing such an inconvenience.
Starting today, he plans to suspend both his individual and group activities.
We would also like to apologize to the many fans who are worried about the sudden news.
We will do our best to not disappoint the fans with a similar situation again, and review how this mistake occurred.
Due to Heochan’s suspension of activities, we would like to inform you that the 2022 VICTON FANCONCERT “CHRONICLE” scheduled for October 15 and 16, as well as future schedules, will proceed with a 5 member group.
Once again, we would like to apologize to the fans for this shameful incident.
— IST Entertainment
