Troublemaker K-Pop Idol Living A “Completely Different Life” After Prison Sentence

Former WINNER member-turned-soloist Nam Taehyun, who has faced multiple legal controversies involving drugs and drunk driving, claims to have completely turned his life around after receiving a prison sentence for his second DUI offense.

Nam Taehyun Sentenced To 1 Year In Prison For Drunk Driving

On October 22, Nam Taehyun appeared at the Seoul Western District Court for the first hearing of his appeal against a one-year prison sentence and a fine of₩1.00 million KRW (about $754 USD). Dressed in black and wearing glasses, the former idol appeared alongside his attorney and made a surprising revelation when asked about his current occupation.

During his final statement, Nam Taehyun acknowledged his wrongdoing and pleaded with the court for leniency. “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 stated. He went on to reflect on his past behavior, admitting that he had previously resorted to unhealthy ways of coping with difficult situations.

After going through this, I looked back on my past. 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. Since then, I managed to find a job after much difficulty, and I’ve been fulfilling my responsibilities at work. I’ve completely quit drinking, and I now use public transportation.

— Nam Taehyun

He also claimed to have continued volunteering and attending counseling sessions in an effort to prevent himself from repeating his past mistakes. “I will never again allow alcohol to cloud my judgment or put other people’s lives and safety at risk through my poor decisions,” he promised. The former idol concluded his statement by asking the court to consider his efforts to change.

I want to continue working as a member of society and fulfill my responsibilities to my family. I sincerely ask you to consider the time I’ve spent reflecting and making an effort to change when making your decision.

— Nam Taehyun

His attorney also appealed for a reduced sentence, arguing that the original punishment was excessively harsh. The defense emphasized that Nam Taehyun had admitted to the charges from the beginning and cooperated with the investigation, including alcohol testing and hair sample examinations. His attorney further argued that Nam Taehyun had spent time reflecting on his actions, participating in volunteer work, and attempting to become a responsible member of society.

However, the circumstances surrounding his latest DUI were particularly serious. On April 27, 2025, at approximately 4:10 AM, Nam Taehyun was driving near Dongjak Bridge on Seoul’s Gangbyeon Expressway when he caused an accident while intoxicated. Investigators determined that his blood alcohol concentration was 0.122%, significantly exceeding South Korea’s license revocation threshold of 0.08%. He was also found to have been driving at 182 km/h (approximately 113 mph) on a road with a speed limit of 80 km/h (approximately 50 mph). Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Nam Taehyun Confesses To His Drug Addiction, Debt, And Checking Into Rehab

The incident was not Nam Taehyun’s first drunk driving offense. In March 2023, he was involved in another DUI incident, for which he received a fine of ₩6.00 million KRW (about $4,520 USD). He was also sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, in 2024 for violating South Korea’s drug control laws. When sentencing him for his latest DUI, the court emphasized that Nam Taehyun had committed another offense despite his previous drunk driving conviction and while still serving a suspended sentence for his drug-related case.

The court subsequently sentenced him to one year in prison and a ₩1.00 million KRW (about $754 USD) fine. However, he was not taken into custody, as the court determined that he was unlikely to flee or destroy evidence. Nam Taehyun is now hoping that his reported sobriety, employment, and efforts toward rehabilitation will persuade the appeals court to grant him a more lenient sentence. The court is scheduled to deliver its appeal ruling on November 19 at 10 AM, when it will be decided whether his efforts to turn his life around warrant a reduction in punishment.

Read more:

Controversial Star Blames Idol Life For His Illegal Wrongdoings