He is on trial for causing an accident while speeding under the influence.
Prosecutors have sought a prison sentence due to the repeat offense.
[TV Daily Reporter Kim Ji-ha] Nam Taehyun, formerly of the group Winner, is facing sentencing today (April 9) for drunk driving during his probation period from a drug-related conviction.
The Seoul Western District Court, presided over by Judge Heo Joon-seo, will proceed with the sentencing of Nam Taehyun at 2 PM today regarding charges of violating road traffic laws. He is accused of driving under the influence on April 27 of last year at 4:10 AM near Dongjak Bridge on the Gangbyeon Expressway in Seoul, where he reportedly collided with a central divider while trying to overtake another vehicle.
At the time of the accident, his blood alcohol concentration was allegedly over the legal limit of 0.08%. Fortunately, there were no casualties. During the investigation, it was also confirmed that he was driving at a speed of 182 km/h in a zone limited to 80 km/h. The Yongsan Police Station sent Nam to the prosecutor's office without detention, and he admitted to all charges during his first trial. Last month, prosecutors sought a sentence of one year and six months in prison, alongside a fine of 1 million won.
Nam Taehyun's lawyer emphasized his cooperation throughout the investigation and mentioned that he is currently leading a life as an office worker. In his closing statement, Nam expressed remorse for his past actions and requested leniency, stating he would not repeat such behavior. Notably, this incident occurred during his probation period for a previous conviction involving methamphetamine use in January 2024.
In this case, Nam Taehyun is facing legal sanctions and societal criticism, with his past actions affecting his current standing. His drunk driving incident may be considered a repeat offense, leading to a potentially harsher penalty. This significantly tarnishes his public image, which can severely damage the trust he has built with his fans.
Moreover, while Nam's legal team has claimed that he cooperated sincerely during the investigation with minimal relevance to his previous charges, the public's perception remains largely negative. The mention of social stigma by his lawyer emphasizes the time that has passed but fails to mitigate the reality that personal choices lead to consequences, a key point in the courtroom.
This incident not only necessitates deep reflection on Nam Taehyun's trajectory but also rekindles discussions about the morality of celebrities in South Korea. The potential impact on his future career in the entertainment industry is significant, and as he has stated, his return will depend on various factors.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: An Seong-hu
