https://n.news.naver.com/article/469/0000863590?sid=102
Nam Taehyun (31), former member of the group WINNER, is once again under police investigation after being caught drunk driving while on probation for previous drug charges.
According to police on the 8th, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul booked Nam Taehyun on charges of drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act on April 27. Nam Taehyun is accused of causing an accident around 4:10 AM near Dongjak Bridge on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro expressway heading towards Ilsan while driving under the influence. He reportedly hit the central divider while trying to overtake another vehicle. Fortunately, no one was injured. At the time of the incident, his blood alcohol concentration was at a level that would result in the cancellation of his driver's license (0.08% or higher).
January last year, Nam Taehyun was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence for violating the Narcotics Control Act. He had been charged for using 0.5g of methamphetamine (Philopon), which he and Seo Minjae (32), allegedly purchased via Telegram and mixed with alcohol in 2022. At the time, police began investigating after Seo Minjae revealed on her social media that she had used drugs with Nam Taehyun. Even while under investigation for the drug charges in March 2023, Nam Taehyun received a summary fine of 6 M KRW for a separate drunk driving incident.
Considering that this new incident occurred during his probation period, the police applied for an arrest warrant on May 2. However, the court rejected the warrant on the 7th, stating, "There was no risk of evidence being destroyed." A police official stated, "After further investigation, we plan to refer Nam Taehyun to the prosecution without detention."
Nam Taehyun was scheduled to have his comeback performance at a music festival held at a small theater in Hongdae on May 6. However, following the incident, he abruptly canceled the performance on May 4. At the time, it was reported that he canceled the performance due to feeling pressured by the strong public criticism regarding his return. In March, he had posted on his social media, saying, "I spend each day reflecting and repenting sincerely. I want to repay those who waited for me not with more controversy, but with music that brings comfort." Currently, that post has been deleted. He is currently scheduled to release an album on May 9.
Before his sentencing in the drug use case in October 2023, Nam Taehyun also made headlines in October 2023 when he appeared as a witness at a National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, where he spoke about his drug rehabilitation experience.
-I don't think I've seen a single male idols who turn out to be normal after leaving their group.
-What the hell is wrong with him...?
-People… don’t change easily.
-I was rooting for him because it seemed like he was trying to live a better life through rehab... Oh God.
-Didn’t he say he wanted to live properly…?
-I thought he had come to his senses, but as expected...
-How far is he going to fall, seriously?
-I just hope to never see his face ever again.
-I'm not even surprised.
-I want to slap myself for recently saying that he had come to his senses and was becoming a better person.
-Oh Gosh... Does he still have fans?
-Seems like drunk driving is a habit to him. He got caught in 2023 and again last month.
-Again?
-He’s really just living recklessly.
-He’s already hit rock bottom as a human being.
