Former WINNER member Nam Tae-hyun booked for drunk driving during probation

Nam Tae-hyun, a former member of K-pop group WINNER, speaks during a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the National Assembly on Oct. 12, 2023. Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon

Singer Nam Tae-hyun, 31, a former member of K-pop group WINNER, is under police investigation for drunk driving while serving a suspended sentence for a drug conviction, police said Thursday.

The Yongsan Police Station in Seoul booked Nam on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act after he caused a crash while driving under the influence.

The incident occurred around 4:10 a.m. on April 27 near the Dongjak Bridge in the Ilsan-bound lane of Gangbyeonbuk-ro. He struck a median while trying to overtake another vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Nam’s blood alcohol level at the time exceeded 0.08 percent — the legal threshold for license cancellation in Korea.

He is currently serving a two-year suspended sentence following a one-year prison sentence handed down in January 2023 for methamphetamine use. He was convicted of using 0.5 grams of meth mixed with alcohol alongside TV personality Seo Min-jae, 32, in 2022. The case came to light after Seo posted about the drug use on social media, prompting a police investigation.

Nam was also fined 6 million won for drunk driving in March 2023 while under investigation for the drug charges.

Police sought a detention warrant on May 2, citing the fact that the new offense occurred during his probation period. However, the court rejected the request on Wednesday after a pretrial detention hearing, stating that there was no risk of evidence tampering. Police said Nam will be referred to prosecutors without detention following further investigation.

Nam was scheduled to make a comeback performance at a music festival in a small theater in Hongdae on Tuesday, but abruptly canceled the event on Sunday, reportedly due to mounting public criticism.

He had previously expressed remorse on social media in March. “I’m spending each day in sincere reflection. The only way I can repay those who waited for me is through music that brings comfort, not controversy.” The post has since been deleted.

Nam is still scheduled to release new album on Friday. In October 2023, before his sentencing, Nam drew public attention after appearing at a National Assembly audit as a witness to speak about drug rehabilitation.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.