Kim Ho-jung, a trot singer, causing a hit-and-run accident with a taxi on the opposite lane on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, late at night on the 9th. /Provided by reader
, “Amidst the official statement from the agency representative of trot singer Kim Ho-jung (33), stating ‘I instructed the proxy attendance for hit-and-run incident,’ public opinion is heating up. People are showing reactions such as, ‘I can’t tell if it’s an agency or a gang,’ ‘Is it a criminal organization or a gang?’ ‘How does it dare issue a statement like this, thinking of the citizens.'”
“Kim is facing not only hit-and-run but also suspicion of ‘driver substitution.’ On the 16th, Lee Kwang-deuk, the representative of Kim Ho-jung’s agency, Think Entertainment, issued an official statement. In the statement, the representative revealed that Kim did not drink on the night of the accident and requested his manager to attend the police in place of Kim.”
“The representative stated, ‘Kim visited an entertainment bar briefly to greet my acquaintances who were in a drinking party on the 9th. At that time, Kim was gearing up for a concert and absolutely did not drink.’ The representative further explained, ‘Driving back home alone after greeting, Kim got into an accident due to poor driving skills and in a panic at the time of the accident, he could not handle the situation and moved the vehicle.’ The representative expressed concern that revealing Kim as the party involved in the accident would cause too much controversy.”
“The representative mentioned, ‘Another manager who arrived at the scene first removed the memory card at his discretion, and I requested the manager, known for admitting his faults, to change into Kim’s clothes and handle the matter on behalf of Kim.’ The representative said, ‘Everything happened because I, as Kim’s agency representative and also a relative, tried to excessively protect Kim.’ He also stated that he will sincerely cooperate with the police investigation.”
“Upon the release of this statement, netizens commented, ‘The actions of the agency are just like gangsters.’ Many citizens feel disappointed by the agency’s evasion of key evidence on the memory card, and the nonchalant manner in which they attribute ‘proxy attendance’ to excessive protection. Especially, criticism arises towards the agency representative’s statement of ‘I take full responsibility,’ with comments like ‘Isn’t this just passing the buck seen in gangster movies?'”
“Netizens expressed reactions like, ‘Who would believe if they keep lying and claim to cooperate sincerely with the police investigation?’ ‘The representative is desperate because if Kim can’t make money, the agency will fail.’ ‘If it wasn’t for alcohol, they would have handled the accident immediately, they shouldn’t underestimate the people.’ A restaurant worker Yoon Mo (65), who was a fan of Kim, said, ‘I used to follow his performances like my son, how could this happen.'”