Singer Kim Ho-joong has been a year since his drunk driving accident. With the court's decision just a day away, he continues to submit letters of reflection. At this point, one might wonder what content he has included in these letters.
Kim Ho-joong was undoubtedly one of the most popular trot singers in South Korea, leading a massive fandom. That was until his drunk driving accident. On May 9 of last year, news of his hit-and-run incident broke, shifting his focus from the stage to the police station and the court.
Before the second trial date of the appeal held in March, Kim Ho-joong wrote an astonishing 100 letters of reflection. This fact became a hot topic, and he continued to express his intentions to the court by writing an additional 30 letters ahead of the sentencing date. Additionally, petitions from fans pleading for leniency for Kim Ho-joong are still being submitted.
The manager and head of his agency, who were also indicted alongside Kim Ho-joong, are submitting letters of reflection and showing a repentant attitude. Unlike their previous attempts to cover up the incident, they seem to be making efforts to show a completely changed demeanor.
During the last court date, the defendants, including Kim Ho-joong, bowed their heads repeatedly in front of the court. They used words like ‘changed’, ‘transformed’, and ‘new life’ to appeal for leniency, hoping to put their past behind them.
It is unclear whether the ‘new life’ they referred to is related to music, specifically their singing careers, or simply a metaphor for their personal lives. However, aside from his fans, the general public still casts critical eyes on Kim Ho-joong regarding his drunk driving incident and does not seem welcoming of his return.
Of course, he can only communicate through performances aimed at fans without engaging in public broadcasting activities. This is because there may be industry insiders who seek him out and hold him in high regard. This is similar to how actor Yoo Ah-in, who faced controversy over drug use, was nominated for the Best Actor award at the Directors' Cut Awards. The Directors' Cut Awards determine winners through votes from members of the Korean Directors' Association.
The court's judgment on Kim Ho-joong, who is currently submitting numerous letters of reflection, is just a day away. There is keen interest in the effectiveness of his letters of reflection, taken to avoid imprisonment and to resume his activities in the future. However, Kim Ho-joong does not acknowledge his wrongdoing regarding drinking. Currently, his legal team claims that he was involved in an accident due to manipulating his phone while driving, not a drunk driving incident.
The 5-3 Division of the Seoul Central District Court will hold the sentencing date for Kim Ho-joong and three others indicted for violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury) on the 25th. Previously, Kim Ho-joong was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial last November. The prosecution sought a sentence of 3 years and 6 months for him.
