Trot singer Kim Ho Joong (age 33) has belatedly admitted to drunk driving, resulting in significant criticism. In response, KBS has withdrawn its support from his upcoming concert. Despite this, Kim Ho Joong intends to proceed with the performance.
On May 20, KBS announced, "As of 9 AM on May 20, we have not received a response from the organizer, Dumir. Consequently, we have terminated the contract for the use of our name and logo and have informed Dumir of this decision."
Kim Ho Joong is scheduled to perform at the 'World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho Joong & Primadonna' on May 23 and 24. However, controversy erupted after it was revealed on May 9 that Kim Ho Joong had been involved in a hit-and-run incident. KBS demanded appropriate measures from Dumir but received no response by the deadline. Following Kim Ho Joong's delayed admission of drunk driving, KBS decided to sever ties with him.
Despite being accused of a drunk hit-and-run, Kim Ho Joong plans to go ahead with the 'World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho Joong & Primadonna' performance, which is expected to spark further controversy.
The event organizer, Dumir, informed KBS that it was impossible to replace the performer due to the tight schedule. Dumir stated, "The KBS name and logo will not be used for this event."
On May 9, around 11:40 PM, Kim Ho Joong was involved in a collision with an oncoming taxi while changing lanes on a road in Apgujeong, Seoul, and subsequently fled the scene. Shortly after the incident, a manager from Kim Ho Joong's agency claimed responsibility at a police station, but the police identified Kim Ho Joong as the driver after verifying the vehicle’s ownership and conducting an investigation. Kim Ho Joong appeared for police questioning 17 hours later. There are suspicions of a cover-up as the head of Kim Ho Joong’s agency allegedly destroyed the black box memory card from the vehicle.
Despite the allegations, Kim Ho Joong's team denied the drunk driving accusations. However, the National Forensic Service reported that "alcohol metabolites, which indicate alcohol consumption, were detected in the urine sample taken approximately 20 hours after the accident." This finding suggests that Kim Ho Joong had been drinking before the accident.
Despite the controversy, Kim Ho Joong proceeded with his 'Tvarotti Classic Arena Tour 2024' performances at Changwon Sports Park on May 18 and 19. During the performance, he stated, "All the truth will be revealed. I will bear all the guilt and wounds." However, after admitting to drunk driving on May 19, he faced severe backlash.
Meanwhile, the police have imposed a travel ban on Kim Ho Joong, his agency's CEO Lee Kwang Duk, the manager who falsely confessed on the day of the incident, and the agency's director who removed the black box memory card. The Ministry of Justice has accepted the travel ban request.
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