K-Pop Star Directly Addresses His Multiple Drunk Driving Controversies

A K-Pop star has directly addressed his controversies with multiple drunk driving incidents.

On November 13th, a video was released on YouTube where former Super Junior member Kangin visits a shaman and talks about his past and future life.

In the video, Kangin directly addressed his past drunk driving incidents. He said, “After drunk driving and enlisting in the military, I worked hard to make a comeback, but while in self-reflection, I got caught driving drunk again. It was really wrong. I was just crazy.”

Kangin caused a hit-and-run drunk driving accident in 2009 and again stirred controversy with another drunk driving incident in 2016. Criticism was harsher because it was not just one mistake. Eventually, he withdrew from Super Junior in 2019.

Now, Kangin revealed he is considering changing his name. He said, “My friends’ children look up my name online. It’s a lifelong label. I’ll seriously consider changing my name.”

While the burden of past mistakes trailing a person’s name is understandable, that label was not imposed arbitrarily; it is the outcome of one’s own wrongdoing. Particularly, drunk driving is a serious crime that threatens not only the offender but also the lives of others.

In the video, Kangin also confessed to spending a period avoiding sunlight and staying indoors. He said he went through a difficult time that worried his family, and with the help of acquaintances, he was able to come back out into the world.

There is no reason to take his pain lightly. However, the suffering endured after wrongdoing and the responsibility for that wrongdoing are separate issues.

Moreover, Kangin has already resumed activities. He held overseas fan meeting tours earlier this year and released a digital single titled “LOVE IS PAIN” in April. In the video, he said, “I don’t really have dreams of being very active going forward,” but also expressed that if given the chance, he would return to his original mindset.

Coincidentally, at the time Kangin’s confession was made public, another round of drunk driving incidents occurred in the entertainment industry.

Actor Ko Kyung Pyo is under police investigation for hitting a street sweeper while driving drunk in Mapo-gu, Seoul, in the early hours of the 14th. His blood alcohol concentration was reportedly at the level warranting license revocation. Ko admitted his wrongdoing and apologized.

Actor Lee Jae Ryong also had his first trial on the 13th for failing to take action after an accident and obstructing a breathalyzer test. Lee’s side admitted to the failure to act charge but denied interfering with the alcohol test. The court’s ruling on that charge has not yet been made.

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