Popular Comedian Caught Drunk Driving Again, Shuts Down YouTube Channel With More Than 700,000 Subscribers After Issuing Apology
Comedian Hong Jangwon (45) belatedly confessed to being caught drunk driving and shut down his YouTube channel, which had 700,000 subscribers. This is his second drunk driving case since 2006.
On the 18th of August, Hong Jangwon posted a handwritten apology on the community page of his YouTube channel “Mjang Planning,” writing, “I have committed a very big sin, and on top of that, I committed an even greater sin by informing you of the fact too late, only now.” He revealed, “On June 28, while returning home near my house, I was caught in a drunk driving check with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.065%.”
He explained there was no accident or human damage and that he was caught alone while driving, adding that legal procedures are ongoing. Hong admitted, “Drunk driving is a clear crime that cannot be excused or justified in any way, yet I committed it. As a broadcaster who lives on viewers’ trust and support, this is something I should never have done. Furthermore, 19 years ago in 2006, I also received a license suspension and a fine. At that time, I was even more foolish than now and failed to properly recognize the depth of my wrongdoing or reflect on it, which is why I ended up committing the same crime again.”
Hong Jangwon bowed his head and said, “I confess all my sins to you and sincerely apologize. I have committed an irreparable wrongdoing. I am truly sorry. And an even greater sin than what I mentioned earlier is that, even after being caught drunk driving, I continued broadcasting activities for over 50 days without honestly telling you and while pretending nothing had happened. I know this is an even greater wrongdoing than drunk driving itself.”
He continued, “I was afraid of betraying the people who supported me. I was afraid of being criticized by the world. I was afraid of admitting that because of my mistake, I had ruined the livelihoods and workplaces of employees and many cast members. In that fear, I forgot that trust with viewers is most important, and I tried to hide my crime. During the day, I pretended nothing was wrong while deceiving viewers and colleagues, and at night, I couldn’t sleep because of fear and guilt. Yet in the end, I couldn’t summon the courage to tell you.”
He confessed that as time passed without admitting his sin, his guilt snowballed. “It was such cowardly and foolish behavior, and it is an unforgivable crime. Just as you can’t block the sky with your palm, I knew this would inevitably be revealed one day, but instead of speaking up, I spent time consumed by fear and anxiety.”
Explaining why he confessed after more than 50 days, he said, “My wrongdoing stems entirely from my personal choices and deviations. I did not tell my family, acquaintances, or colleagues about this. They, too, became victims of my deceit.”
Hong Jangwon asked that all criticism be directed at him, saying, “For those who have been harmed or hurt because of me, I will do everything I can to take full responsibility. As part of that, I will find ways to return all profits generated from YouTube and broadcasting activities during the past 50 days and take proper action. From now on, I will suspend my channel and all broadcasting activities and spend an indefinite period in reflection and self-restraint. Once again, I sincerely apologize to all those who were disappointed and hurt because of me.”
Hong Jangwon, who debuted as a comedian through SBS’s 9th open recruitment in 2007, has since worked as a reporter on various entertainment shows and as an event MC. In 2020, he founded “Mjang Planning,” producing podcasts and YouTube content that gained huge popularity. Currently, “Mjang Planning,” which had about 700,000 subscribers, is shut down following his drunk driving confession.
Source: A
