"I didn't want to hide it," Lim Seong-geun… voluntary confession to drunk driving, did he bring about his own downfall
.'Netflix variety show Culinary Class Wars 2 cast chef Im Seong-keun has not seen the controversy subside easily since he personally admitted to past drunk driving. Despite his voluntary confession and apology, public opinion remains sharply divided.
Im Seong-keun on the 18th posted a video titled 'Food and drinking' on his YouTube channel 'Im Seong-keun Imjjang TV' and said, "I liked drinking so I made mistakes. Over the past 10 years I drove under the influence three times." He explained, "After drinking I tended to sleep in the car, and I was caught by the police while sitting in the car with the engine running," and added, "I didn't know at the time, but you should have turned the engine off."
He also said, "The most recent detection was five to six years ago," and "my license was revoked through criminal punishment and I later reobtained it." He added, "I have not driven drunk since then. Nowadays I call a designated driver even if I drink just one glass," but bowed his head saying, "I did want to hide it, but I felt that if it became a problem later more people would be hurt. A wrong is a wrong."
Reactions after the video was released were sharply divided. Some internet users gave relatively positive assessments, saying, "It was a courageous choice to openly reveal past mistakes instead of hiding them," "He has already been punished and if there were no relapses there's no need to do more than watch," and "I acknowledge the honesty itself."
On the other hand, critical opinion was fierce. Critics continued, "Drunk driving is not a mistake but a crime," "Three times is by no means light," "He presented an act equivalent to attempted murder as if it were a personal narrative," "The format of content mixed with laughter itself is inappropriate," and "Separate from the apology, public responsibility must be considered separately."
Separate from the frank confession, the criticism is that as a public figure with influence he needed to deliver a message that clearly conveyed caution.
As the controversy spread, Lim Seong-geun additionally posted a handwritten apology on the same day. He said, "Drunk driving is my fault that cannot be excused for any reason," and "I accepted the legal punishment and spent the past few years reflecting on myself in seclusion." He also explained the background of his confession, saying, "Recently I received excessive love and felt that continuing activities while covering up the past was rather a betrayal of those who believed in me."
However, the debate continued after the apology. In particular, criticism intensified when it was revealed that a sponsored alcoholic beverage video had been posted on the YouTube channel. Responses followed, saying, "If it hadn't been an advertisement we might not have known, but receiving alcohol ads after three drunk driving incidents, is there sincerity?" and "It's truly disappointing."
There have also been continued criticisms about the tone of the confession, saying, "This is not something to be treated so lightly," "He unfolded it like a sad past story and the production team packaged it as a courageous confession," and "It feels brazen."
A voluntary confession does not erase all criticism. Public opinion remains at a crossroads over whether the choice to 'not hide it' can be a criterion for judgment or whether it became an opportunity that enlarged the controversy. What is clear is that the gravity of drunk driving cannot be treated lightly in any way.
[Photo] 'Broadcast screen'
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