Comedian-turned-broadcaster Hong Jang-won confessed to drunk driving and announced that he would take time for self-reflection.
Hong Jang-won stated on his YouTube channel 'MJ Planning' on 18th that he was caught during a sobriety check at a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.065 while returning home near his house on June 28. There were no accidents or casualties, and he was the only one driving at the time of the check, with legal procedures currently underway. He believes the final results will come out in 1 to 2 months.
Hong Jang-won said, "The greater sin is that, after being caught for drunk driving, I continued my broadcasting activities without honestly telling you for over 50 days and pretended that everything was fine. I know this is a greater mistake than having driven under the influence." He added, "I was afraid of betraying those who supported me. I was afraid of being criticized by the public. I was afraid to acknowledge that my mistake had ruined the workplaces and livelihoods of my staff and numerous grants."
He continued, "In that fear, I forgot that the trust between me and the viewers is the most important thing, and I tried to hide my sin. During the day, I pretended to be fine while broadcasting, deceiving the viewers and my colleagues, and at night, I couldn't sleep due to fear and guilt. Even then, I couldn't gather the courage to tell you. As each day passed, my sin snowballed. It was a cowardly and foolish act, an unforgivable sin."
About 50 days after the incident, Hong Jang-won confessed, "I will find a way to responsibly return any revenue generated from YouTube and broadcasting activities over the past 50 days. And I will suspend all my channel and broadcasting activities to take an indefinite period of reflection and self-restraint."
Meanwhile, Hong Jang-won debuted as an SBS public recruitment comedian in the 9th batch and has since been active as MC Jang-won. Other comedians from the SBS 9th batch include Hong Hyun-hee and Shin Gi-ru. He established MJ Planning in 2020 and has been creating podcasts and YouTube content, with approximately 700,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel.
Below is the full statement from Hong Jang-won
Dear viewers, this is MC Jang-won.
I am sorry.
I have committed a grave sin. Moreover, I have committed an even greater sin by revealing this fact so late, only now.
From now on, I intend to inform you of the truth and sincerely apologize.
On June 28, I was caught during a sobriety check at a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.065 while returning home near my house.
There were no accidents or casualties, and I was the only one driving at the time of the check. Legal procedures are currently underway.
I believe the final results will come out in 1 to 2 months.
Drunk driving is a clear crime that cannot be excused or justified, yet I still committed it.
As a broadcaster living on the trust and support of my viewers, this was an act that should never have happened.
Moreover, I had also received a suspension of my license and been fined 19 years ago in 2006.
Back then, I was even more foolish and did not properly recognize the depth of my sins and did not reflect.
As a result, I committed the same sin once again.
I confess all my sins to you and sincerely apologize. I have committed an unforgivable wrong. I am truly sorry.
And greater than what I mentioned earlier, the greater sin is that after being caught for drunk driving, I continued my broadcasting activities for over 50 days without honestly informing you.
Pretending everything was fine while doing so.
I know this is a greater mistake than having driven under the influence.
I was afraid of betraying those who supported me.
I was afraid of being criticized by the public.
I was afraid to acknowledge that my mistake had ruined the workplaces and livelihoods of my staff and numerous grants.
In that fear, I forgot that the trust between me and the viewers is the most important thing, and I tried to hide my sin.
During the day, I pretended to be fine while broadcasting, deceiving the viewers and my colleagues, and at night, I couldn't sleep due to fear and guilt.
Even then, I couldn't gather the courage to tell you.
As each day passed, my sin snowballed.
It was a cowardly and foolish act, an unforgivable sin.
Just as you cannot cover the sky with your palm, I knew that someday this fact would inevitably be revealed.
Yet, I spent time enveloped in fear and anxiety without being able to speak up.
"Could it be that no one would know about this?" I even thought.
However, I could not stop the growing guilt.
Over 50 days have passed, and although it is too late, I confess my sins now.
I sincerely apologize to those of you who are disappointed and shocked by my drunk driving and cowardly deception.
My mistakes are entirely personal deviations arising from my choices.
I did not inform my family, friends, or colleagues about this fact. They have also become victims of my deception.
I deeply apologize to them, and I earnestly request that all blame and criticism be directed at me.
I will mobilize all means possible to make the best efforts for those who have been harmed or hurt because of me.
As part of this, I will find a way to responsibly return any revenue generated from YouTube and broadcasting activities over the past 50 days.
I will take responsible action.
And from now on, I will suspend all my channel and broadcasting activities to take an indefinite period of reflection and self-restraint.
Once again, I sincerely apologize to all those who have been disappointed and hurt because of me.
I am truly sorry.
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