The controversies over celebrities' drunk driving repeatedly cause great disappointment among the public and, above all, lead to enormous harm to those involved in productions. The recent case in which actor Yoon Ji-on admitted to drunk driving and abruptly withdrew from the drama "A Baby Is Coming" that was being filmed has once again raised calls to ask about the "responsibility of public figures."
On the 16th, Yoon Ji-on was caught riding a motorcycle parked on the road without permission while intoxicated. He said he was "so drunk that I can't remember" and admitted to all charges, and ultimately left the drama. Because the production had already filmed up to episode 6, the producers decided to reshoot despite the enormous losses. Industry insiders pointed out that "money can cover it, but it's hard to recover the broken trust."
In fact, Yoon Ji-on's case is not a new story. Actor Ahn Jae-wook had his license suspended in 2019 for drunk driving and left the musical "Hero" and "Gwanghwamun Sonata," and his broadcast appearances were canceled one after another. He recalled that time as "an involuntary period of self-reflection" and confessed that "when the income stopped, it felt like a dam had burst."
Actor Kwak Do-won was also caught driving in 2022 in Jeju with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.158 percent, in a state of extreme intoxication. The incident drew greater criticism because it was revealed only two months later. The film he appeared in, Firefighter, was shelved and, while preparing for a recent release, his screen time had to be minimized. In the process, he also parted ways with the agency he had been with for years.
In 2020, actor Bae Sung-woo was revealed to have been driving under the influence while starring in the SBS drama Fly, Gaechun-yong and left midproduction, and ultimately actor Jung Woo-sung, who was his agency's representative, was urgently brought in to finish the work through its finale. After reflection and self-restraint, Bae Sung-woo returned with the film 1947 Boston and Netflix's The Eight Show, but public sentiment remained cold.
Drunk driving does not end as a mere personal mistake. It harms countless colleagues and staff who work on a production and even destroys public trust. Especially when someone like Yoon Ji-on is caught while filming is in full swing, criticisms that "there was not even the minimum sense of responsibility as an actor" are bound to follow.
Above all, drunk driving is not just an individual's lapse but a crime that can threaten others' lives, requiring severe punishment and awareness from society. This is also why public anger over this matter does not easily subside. Internet users showed sharp reactions such as "Before being a celebrity, they couldn't even keep the basics as a member of society," along with responses like "they kicked away the opportunity themselves," "public figures must know that weight," and "a moment's carelessness destroys a lifetime image." Some said, "It's at least fortunate that he immediately acknowledged and apologized," but overall public opinion is cold.
In the end, Yoon Ji-on's case again leaves the same question: "How much responsibility should actors, and public figures, bear?" This incident clearly shows that answer.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]