Kwak Do Won Issues Apology 3 Years After DUI, Why Now?

Kwak Do Won, who had suspended his activities following a drunk driving controversy, has released a direct personal statement after three years to express his apologies. Simultaneously, he announced his return as an actor.

Kwak Do Won’s DUI incident

In September 2022, Kwak Do Won caused a stir after being caught by police for driving under the influence. At the time, the Jeju Seobu Police Station referred him to the prosecution on charges of drunk driving (violation of the Road Traffic Act). A male passenger in his 30s, “A,” was also referred to the prosecution for aiding and abetting drunk driving.

Then, in April 2023, the Jeju District Prosecutors’ Office summarily indicted Kwak Do Won with a fine of 10 million won [around $6,774].

Kwak Do Won had built a friendly public image through films, dramas, and his appearance on the MBC variety show I Live Alone, where he showcased his life in Jeju. However, his image plummeted due to the DUI incident, and he entered a period of self-reflection. In the aftermath, the release of his starring film The Firefighters was delayed; while he managed to avoid being edited out entirely, his fellow actors and the director had to carry the “Kwak Do Won issue” like a persistent tag. Furthermore, the TVING original series Villains, released just yesterday, had also been postponed indefinitely due to the controversy before finally seeing the light of day. It was undoubtedly a nuisance to the hundreds of people who worked on these projects, as one person’s mistake caused massive damage.

Kwak Do Won’s apology letter in 2025

Amidst this, Kwak Do Won drew significant attention by delivering a handwritten apology to the media on December 19, marking his first statement in three years.

He began by saying, “It took a long time to write this. I was afraid, I felt great shame, and I couldn’t easily find the words to face my mistake. First, I would like to deeply apologize once again to everyone who was hurt and disappointed by my mistake.”

He continued, “In 2022, I committed a grave mistake by driving drunk. I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by that. Since then, I have spent time looking back at myself and asking countless times if I even have the right to stand before the public. During this time, in the silence of the world, I thought deeply about what kind of attitude I should live with as a person, even before being an actor. I have finally realized that all the things I took for granted were not guaranteed at all.”

He also reflected, “Watching the works that were released in the meantime and the drama that recently began broadcasting gave me a lot to think about. I am also sincerely sorry for not being able to apologize for my mistake sooner and for missing the proper timing to share my position. Before my future activities, I intend to step-by-step prove a responsible side of myself through actions that I haven’t shown before. I will not seek forgiveness quickly. I will prove it through my life, not just my words.”

Finally, Kwak Do Won bowed his head again, saying, “I sincerely apologize once more to everyone I have disappointed. Thank you for reading this to the end.”

Regarding the release of the statement, an associate of Kwak Do Won told OSEN, “You might be surprised by the sudden apology, but it wasn’t issued because of any recent incidents. He has wanted to apologize to the public for a long time, but since he doesn’t use personal social media like Instagram or Facebook, he had no channel to convey his heart. After agonizing over it for a long time, he difficultly wrote a letter containing his sincere feelings and delivered it to the media.”

While there were several opportunities, many are curious why he chose to apologize and release a statement now, after three years. It is reported that the release of Villains, in which he plays a lead role, played a part.

Having suspended his activities for nearly three years, Kwak Do Won has effectively announced his return. Attention is now focused on how he can win back the hearts of a public that remains cold.

What do you think of his apology?

Source: (A)