Former WINNER member Nam Taehyun, whose career unraveled through drug and drunk-driving controversies, told a court on October 22 that he is living a “completely different life” — sober, employed, and riding public transport — as he appealed a one-year prison sentence for his second DUI offense.
Nam Taehyun (Credits: Koreaboo)
Appearing at the Seoul Western District Court in black with glasses, the former idol made a surprising revelation when asked about his current occupation, then delivered an emotional final statement. “I committed the wrongful act of drunk driving, and I deeply regret it. I know there is absolutely no excuse for what I did,” he said. “Whenever things got difficult, I used to give up on myself and try to escape in the wrong ways. But I’ve realized that I can no longer live like that.”
Nam Taehyun’s DUI Case: 0.122% BAC at 182 km/h
The circumstances of his latest offense were grave. On April 27, 2025, at around 4:10 AM, Nam Taehyun caused an accident on Seoul’s Gangbyeon Expressway near Dongjak Bridge while driving at 182 km/h (113 mph) in an 80 km/h zone, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.122% — far above South Korea’s 0.08% license-revocation threshold. No injuries were reported.
The court had emphasized that he reoffended despite a previous DUI and while serving a suspended sentence for a 2024 drug-control conviction (one year in prison, suspended for two years; an earlier March 2023 DUI brought a ₩6 million fine). This time he received one year in prison plus a ₩1 million (~$754) fine, though he was not taken into custody as the court found him unlikely to flee or destroy evidence.
Nam Taehyun Appeals Prison Sentence, Ruling November 19
His attorney argued the punishment was excessively harsh, noting Nam Taehyun admitted the charges from the start and cooperated fully, including alcohol testing and hair sample examinations. The former idol says he has continued volunteering and attending counseling, and promised: “I will never again allow alcohol to cloud my judgment or put other people’s lives and safety at risk through my poor decisions.”
“I want to continue working as a member of society and fulfill my responsibilities to my family,” he concluded, asking the court to weigh his time spent reflecting and changing. The appeals court will deliver its ruling on November 19 at 10 AM — deciding whether his claimed turnaround is enough to warrant a more lenient sentence.
Also Read: Park Se Young Reveals Her Blunt Ultimatum That Got Kwak Jung Wook to Marry Her After 8 Years
Source: Koreaboo — read the full story there.
