“Wobbled” vs “Subjective expression”… Kim Ho-jung getting closer to the glass, hiding behind and closing his eyes.

[OSEN=Jang Woo-young Reporter] Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is under suspicion of a hit-and-run incident, claims that he absolutely did not drink alcohol, but as details from the incident emerge, he is getting closer to alcohol-related issues. Despite this, Kim Ho-jung has not personally spoken out about the situation.

On the evening of the 9th, at around 11:40 pm, Kim Ho-jung was involved in a hit-and-run accident with a taxi on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul and is accused of fleeing the scene (violations of the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, hit-and-run after an accident).

After the accident, Kim Ho-jung’s manager initially told the police that he was the one involved in the accident, but later Kim Ho-jung himself admitted to driving. Evidence showing attempted concealment of the incident, such as the absence of a black box memory card, has surfaced and on the 16th, the police conducted searches at Kim Ho-jung’s residence, the residence of his agency’s CEO, and the agency’s office.

Especially since a significant amount of time had passed before an alcohol test was conducted after the accident, the police are also investigating the possibility of Kim Ho-jung driving under the influence of alcohol.

Kim Ho-jung’s side has consistently claimed that he did not drink alcohol after the incident became known. At the first official statement on the 14th, Kim Ho-jung’s side stated, “He personally went to the police station for investigation and alcohol testing, and the test results did not show any alcohol consumption.”

However, following reports alleging that Kim Ho-jung visited an entertainment establishment, a relative who is also the CEO of his agency stepped forward stating, “(Kim Ho-jung) visited the entertainment establishment to greet acquaintances who were drinking. At that time, Kim Ho-jung was about to hold a concert in Goyang, so he absolutely did not drink.” Nonetheless, subsequent reports suggesting that Kim Ho-jung “held a glass but did not drink alcohol,” “called a substitute driver at the first drinking venue,” and “staggered and was seen off by the group before getting in the car” have raised suspicions that Kim Ho-jung did drink alcohol.

While the alcohol test results did not show alcohol consumption and he visited an entertainment establishment without drinking, Kim Ho-jung is gradually becoming associated with alcohol-related issues, such as staggering while being seen off by companions and calling a substitute driver. His agency stated, “The reports are describing as if Kim Ho-jung drank at the entertainment establishment. He just made a brief stop without drinking. We regret the subjective expressions like ‘staggered’.”

While the agency is actively responding to the controversy in real-time, the person involved, Kim Ho-jung, remains silent without revealing his stance. Of course, as he is currently under police investigation and his agency is managing the situation, there seems to be no reason for Kim Ho-jung to speak out personally. However, given that he was the one involved in the accident, greeted fans after his concert, Kim Ho-jung may have words of explanation, apology, or other remarks to offer. Nevertheless, Kim Ho-jung continues to keep his lips sealed and maintain silence.

Amid the controversy, Kim Ho-jung’s stance is to proceed with his performances. However, due to the social disturbance caused, the performances might face challenges. For the upcoming concert ‘World Union Orchestra Super Classic Kim Ho-jung & Prima Donna’ scheduled for the 23rd and 24th, KBS has instructed the event organizer that no replacement should be made and the use of KBS’s name and logo is prohibited during the performance. The production team of KBS2’s ‘Boss Ears Are Donkey Ears’, in which Kim Ho-jung is appearing, stated that there are no recorded segments of Kim Ho-jung and no filming plans. The production team of ‘New Product Launch Restaurant’ announced that they will edit Kim Ho-jung’s appearance to a minimum on the 17th broadcast and stated that they will not release the winning menu of Kim Ho-jung. /elnino8919@osen.co.kr