'After news of actor Lee Jae-ryong's drunk driving accident and hit-and-run charges emerged, the drinking-variety show appearance that was released just 12 days earlier has come back into focus, widening the controversy. In particular, the controversy is expanding as An Jaewook's past drunk driving record, who appeared in the content, is being reexamined. .
Seoul Gangnam Police Station is investigating Lee Jae-ryong on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act (failure to take measures after an accident) and other charges. Lee Jae-ryong is accused of driving a vehicle around 2 a.m. that day on a road near Samseong Jungang Station on Seoul Subway Line 9, striking a central divider and leaving the scene. He parked the vehicle at his home immediately after the accident, then moved to an acquaintance's house before being arrested by police, and breath test results showed a blood alcohol concentration at the level for license suspension.
The same day, MBN's MBN News Center released footage of the accident. The video shows the vehicle driven by Lee Jae-ryong repeatedly striking the central divider on a road in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The divider was damaged over tens of meters, but the vehicle left the scene, and was later found in an alley with its front heavily damaged.
Also, the appearance on the YouTube drinking-variety show "Zzanbro" released on the 23rd of last month is being mentioned again. The video featured Lee Jae-ryong, An Jaewook, Yoon Da-hoon, and Sung Ji-ru, who engaged in drinking-accompanied talk. Lee Jae-ryong brought up drinking, saying, "I've been into tequila lately," and An Jaewook also mentioned his drinking capacity, leading to a natural drinking conversation.
With this accident becoming known, the two actors' past drunk driving records are being reexamined. After a drunk driving accident in 2003, Lee Jae-ryong refused a breath test and had his license revoked, and in 2019 he damaged a bowling alley sign while intoxicated and received a suspended indictment. An Jaewook also has records of causing trouble from drunk driving in 2003 and 2019.
With these records being mentioned again online, questions have arisen about whether it was appropriate for cast members with drunk driving histories to appear together on a drinking-themed variety show and casually talk about their drinking experiences. Some argue that since drunk driving is a serious crime that can threaten others' lives, the production team that booked cast members with related records should have been more cautious in setting the content concept and choosing participants.
As the controversy continued, "Zzanbro" has set the video featuring Lee Jae-ryong to private. However, to prevent future controversy, it appears the production team will need to establish stricter standards for guest selection and concept setting.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-ryong's side has reportedly claimed that he was not intoxicated while driving, and the police are investigating the precise circumstances of the accident using black box and CCTV footage.<
[Photo] 'OSEN DB, Zzanbro
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