South Korean Entertainment Figures Face Multiple Drunk-Driving Charges Amid Growing Industry Scrutiny
South Korean entertainment officials and police announced a wave of drunk‑driving charges against several high‑profile figures, including actor Lee Jae‑yong, broadcaster Nancy Rang, comedian Lee Hyuk‑jae, and former footballer‑turned‑comedian Lee Jin‑ho. The incidents, occurring between late August and early September 2026, have prompted calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws within the industry.
On September 3, MBC reported that Lee Jae‑yong was driving a sedan from Cheongdam Station in Gangnam‑gu at about 11:03 p.m. He collided with a central median barrier while reportedly intoxicated. The collision caused damage estimated at 3 million won, but Lee left the scene without taking any remedial action. Police later found that he had consumed five glasses of soju between 11:23 p.m. and 12:13 a.m. at a restaurant in Sinsa‑dong. Lee initially denied driving under the influence, but later admitted to driving after four glasses of soju. Investigators said he attempted to conceal evidence by using a “soot‑eating” method. Although prosecutors could not conclusively prove his blood alcohol concentration at the time of the crash, Lee was charged with failing to act after an accident and obstructing a drunk‑driving test. This is not his first incident; in 2003 he had a prior drunk‑driving case that led to a license revocation.
The same day, police announced that Nancy Rang had been formally charged with drunk driving. According to MBN, she was driving in Gangnam‑gu at about 3:45 a.m. on September 8. Her blood alcohol concentration was at or above 0.08 %, the threshold that triggers license revocation. Ranging, through her agency MegaTon Entertainment, stated that she had taken a breath‑alyzer test upon returning home and had consumed only one or two glasses of champagne at a friend’s birthday party. She denied being detained or formally charged, describing the reports as inaccurate. Police said they would summon her for further questioning.
On September 9, the Yeonsu Police Station in Incheon confirmed that comedian Lee Hyuk‑jae had been charged, without arrest, for violating the Road Traffic Act. He allegedly rear‑ended a motorcycle rider at a traffic signal in Songdo‑dong, Yeonsu‑gu, around 10 p.m. on September 8, injuring the rider, Mr. A, who sustained no serious injuries. Lee’s blood alcohol concentration was between 0.03 % and 0.08 %, a level that warrants license suspension. In a telephone interview with Star News, Lee said he had taken one or two shots of bomb liquor at an izakaya near his home and drove because the distance was only 300 meters. He reported the incident to police voluntarily and apologized.
The most recent case involves former footballer‑turned‑comedian Lee Jin‑ho. He was suspected of drunk driving while traveling approximately 70 km from Incheon to his residence in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. His blood alcohol concentration was 0.12 %, exceeding the 0.08 % threshold. Lee was already under investigation for habitual gambling; the combined charges led to a suspended prison sentence, finalized on September 9.
These successive incidents have drawn attention to the prevalence of drunk driving among entertainment professionals. Industry stakeholders have called for increased education and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent future violations.
