Idol group ZE:A alumnus Taeheon encountered rude intoxicated passengers while driving a taxi, adding to the public's concern.
On the 18th, a video titled "ZEA Taeheon loses his composure with his first drunk passenger…why did they suddenly use informal speech? a peaceful night shift…shocking reason he drove with the red beacon on after 5 hours" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Next Taeheon." The video showed Taeheon working as a taxi driver, drawing attention.
Taeheon warmed viewers with kind responses, politely asking passengers about the lighting and temperature. Among them were foreign tourists who visited Korea, including Chinese nationals, and a passenger who recognized Taeheon as a former member of ZE:A.
Taeheon warmly said to the passenger who recognized him, "This is the first time someone asked me today," and politely said, "Would it be rude for me to start a conversation?" He also showed enthusiasm, saying, "Kwanghee is busy now. Park Hyeong-sik too, and there are many friends doing well. I will be next."
Toward the end of the video, two drunk passengers boarded and caused viewers to wince. They rudely said, "Just start," using informal speech, and during the ride they changed the destination while routing through an acquaintance's home, creating confusion for the driver.
Fortunately, after safely dropping the passengers at their destination, Taeheon awkwardly smiled and said, "Some of them had had a bit too much to drink, so my heart hurt a little. But that is part of the process of getting better, so I'm doing well today."
Taeheon began driving at around 6:30 p.m. the previous day and finished his shift at about 1:20 a.m. the next morning. Over roughly seven hours, Taeheon covered a business distance of 105 km.
In the final moments, the taxi's beacon turned on and the siren sounded, causing embarrassment. As a novice taxi driver, Taeheon had accidentally pressed the "emergency" button near the handle. Attention was drawn to another challenge in Taeheon's varied career—from idol to Coupang deliveryman, Chinese restaurant worker, construction site laborer, and delivery part-timer.
[Photo] YouTube source.
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