Singer Nam Taehyun, who was serving a suspended sentence for drug use and reflecting on his actions, has betrayed the public's expectations once again. This incident marks his second drunk driving offense, which can no longer be considered a mere mistake.
The Yongsan Police in Seoul announced on the 8th that they are investigating Nam Taehyun for violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving). Nam Taehyun was involved in a crash into a central divider near the Dongjak Bridge on the Gangbyeon North Road at around 4:10 a.m. on the 27th of last month, and it is reported that his blood alcohol concentration was at a level that would lead to license cancellation (above 0.08%).
The issue is that this incident is not merely a lapse in judgment but a repeated crime. Furthermore, drunk driving is an issue that directly impacts the safety of others. In March 2023, Nam Taehyun was also caught driving under the influence in Gangnam, Seoul, leading to a collision with a taxi. At that time, his blood alcohol concentration was 0.114%, and he received a summary order for a fine of 6 million won.
In addition, Nam Taehyun was prosecuted for suspected methamphetamine use in 2022 and was sentenced to one year in prison, with a two-year suspension, in 2023. Despite this, he has consistently conveyed messages through broadcasts and social media that he is "truly remorseful" and is "determined to quit," indicating his commitment to live a new life. He also revealed last year that he was "reflecting day by day and dedicating himself to music work near a rehabilitation center," and mentioned that he was doing part-time work to fund album production, stating, "I will repay those who have waited for me with music."
However, those commitments turned out to be mere words. The drunk driving incident that occurred just two days before his return to the stage at "K-Pop Week in Hongdae" shows how irresponsibly he has broken his promises. Yoon Hyung-bin, who cautiously reached out to bring Nam Taehyun back to the stage, must also feel disappointed. Yoon Hyung-bin noted, "After much searching and deliberation, I made a proposal to Nam Taehyun. I believed in his sincerity to reflect on past mistakes and lead a better life," but Nam Taehyun was unable to uphold that expectation for even a day, sabotaging his own opportunity.
Nam Taehyun was unable to keep even his promise to himself of "living a better life." Internet users are also unable to hide their disappointment. Criticism continues, with comments such as, "At this point, remorse seems like a performance," "What returned after giving him a chance was a second drunk driving offense," and "Now, I cannot trust any words anymore."
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