Nam Taehyun (30), a former member of the group Winner who was embroiled in controversy over drug use, has come under scrutiny again after being charged with drunk driving during his probation period.
On the 8th, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul reported that Nam Taehyun was charged with drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act on the 27th of last month.
According to the police, Nam Taehyun is suspected of causing an accident while driving under the influence at around 4:10 AM on the same day near the Dongjak Bridge heading towards Ilsan on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro.
At the time, Nam Taehyun's vehicle reportedly collided with the central divider, and there were no reported injuries. Police investigations revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was at a level that would lead to license cancellation (0.08% or higher).
The police applied for an arrest warrant for Nam Taehyun on the 2nd, but the court dismissed the warrant, citing insufficient grounds for arrest considering that he was on probation.
In August 2022, Nam Taehyun was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for using methamphetamine with his then-girlfriend. In 2023, while reflecting on his actions, he was fined 6 million won for drunk driving.
Nam Taehyun was scheduled to return to the stage on the 6th at the 'K-Pop Week in Hongdae' performance, but it was ultimately canceled.
Nam Taehyun debuted as a member of the group Winner in August 2014 but left the group in 2016. He later debuted again with the band South Club but did not achieve significant popularity. Since then, he has faced various controversies, including drug use allegations and dating violence with a former partner, making it difficult for him to continue his activities.
In 2023, Nam Taehyun appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee's audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, expressing regret by saying, "I know there are many young friends who are curious about drugs, but what I can say is that you should never touch them, even once. Drug addiction cannot be solved alone, so I hope you have the courage to seek help."
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
