He was charged with DUI and speeding last year.
His image has been severely impacted by past drug use and DUI incidents.
Nam Tae-hyun, formerly a member of the group WINNER, has had his second DUI trial postponed to March 12. The Seoul Western District Court decided to change the hearing date from January 15 due to circumstances surrounding his case.
On April 27 of last year, Nam was involved in a drunken driving incident where he crashed into a central divider on the Gangbyeon Expressway in Seoul. At the time, his blood alcohol content was 0.122%, exceeding the license revocation threshold of 0.08%, and he was driving at a staggering speed of 182 km/h, well above the speed limit. As a result, he was indicted by the prosecution without detention.
Previously, Nam received a suspended sentence for drug charges related to a reality show, and he was recently fined for another DUI incident. These controversies have significantly affected his public image, leading to disappointment among his fanbase.
Nam Tae-hyun's DUI incident represents a critical test of how he will respond amidst ongoing controversies in the Korean entertainment industry. The negative image stemming from his previous drug use allegations continues to influence the perceptions of fans and the public, making this trial potentially decisive for his future.
After debuting with WINNER in 2014 and experimenting with various musical styles as part of South Club, recent incidents have posed significant challenges to his image management, risking his credibility as an artist.
It remains to be seen what actions he will take to regain trust with his fanbase. The serious nature of both DUI and drug use criminal charges may shape the direction of his career, and the industry alongside his fans will be watching closely.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
