Singer Iru, who caused controversy with repeated drunk driving, took the stage for the first time in four years. It is drawing attention whether Iru, who is reported to have cared for his mother suffering from severe dementia during his period of self-reflection, can become active again.
On the 8th, Iru wrote on his social account, "It was a cautious and very nerve-wracking stage after a long time," and "It was meaningful and I was grateful that I could show my appearance on the screen to my mother once again," he said.
In the video released together, Iru bowed at a 90-degree angle to greet after taking the stage. Scenes of him preparing the stage with a serious expression were also captured, and a scene was released showing him inviting his father, Taejin-ah, onto the stage and singing together.
It has been about four years since Iru last took the stage. Iru, who drew attention as the son of Taejin-ah and was active as a singer and actor, caused a major accident on the night of Dec. 19, 2022, on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro in Seoul when he was driving at high speed, striking the right guardrail and the center divider and overturning the vehicle. At the time, Iru's blood alcohol concentration was reported to be at the level for license suspension.
The problem was that Iru had been booked for drunk driving just three months before the incident occurred. In Sept. 2022 in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, Iru was caught driving after drinking, and circumstances emerged in which a female professional golfer who had been a passenger falsely testified that she had been driving, suggesting a driver switch. Ultimately, Iru was sentenced by the court to six months in prison with a one-year suspension and had to leave the KBS2 daily drama Secret Woman, from which he was scheduled to appear, and halted his entertainment activities.
After spending four years in self-reflection, Iru signaled a comeback by revealing his daily life caring for his mother, who suffers from severe dementia, on The Lovers of Joseon, and appeared to begin active promotions by participating in The Lovers of Joseon's 5th anniversary singing contest.
Iru, who had flourished as a singer and actor riding on the name of his father, Taejin-ah, drew heavy criticism for tarnishing his father's name by repeatedly driving under the influence. Realizing the importance, responsibility and weight of family, Iru painfully recognized this while caring for his mother, who suffers from severe dementia, and confessed his remorse by revealing his caregiving routine on The Lovers of Joseon.
And Iru again got the opportunity to stand on stage thanks to caring for his mother. Iru said it was meaningful to be able to show his appearance on the screen to his mother once more, and attention is focused on whether he can use this precious opportunity gained through his family to continue active broadcasting work.
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