Hong Jang-won Confesses to 2nd DUI: ‘Unforgivable Mistake’—Announces Indefinite Halt to Activities

Comedian Hong Jang-won has publicly confessed to being caught driving under the influence for a second time.

On the 18th, Hong Jang-won posted a handwritten letter on the Mjang Planning YouTube channel.

He wrote, "I have committed a serious wrongdoing. What's worse is that I am only now revealing this to you, which is an even greater wrongdoing." He continued, "On June 28, I was caught in a DUI checkpoint near my home with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.065. Thankfully, there was no accident or injury, as I was driving alone at the time. Legal proceedings are currently underway, and the final outcome is expected in a month or two."

Hong Jang-won further admitted, "Nineteen years ago, in 2006, I also had my license suspended and was fined for a DUI. I failed to fully grasp the seriousness of my actions and did not reflect on them. As a result, I have repeated the same mistake."

He went on to confess, "For more than 50 days after being caught, I kept broadcasting as if nothing had happened, hiding the truth from you. I now realize this was an even greater wrongdoing than the DUI itself."

Hong Jang-won added, "Though it is very late, I am finally confessing my wrongdoing. I will also find a responsible way to return any income generated from YouTube and broadcasting activities over the past 50 days."

He concluded, "I will shut down my channel and suspend all broadcasting activities, taking an indefinite period of self-reflection and repentance."

Hong Jang-won debuted as a comedian through SBS’s 9th open recruitment in 2007. In 2020, he launched the Mjang Planning YouTube channel, which has garnered around 700,000 subscribers. Following his confession, all videos on the channel have been set to private.



Full Text of Hong Jang-won's Channel Statement

Dear viewers, this is MC Jang-won.

I am truly sorry.

I have committed a grave sin. On top of that, I am only now revealing this to you, which is an even greater wrongdoing.
From this moment, I want to share the truth and sincerely apologize.

On June 28, while returning home, I was stopped at a DUI checkpoint near my house with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.065.
There was no accident or injury, as I was driving alone. Legal proceedings are currently underway.
I understand that the final outcome will be determined in one to two months.

There is no excuse or justification for drunk driving—it's a clear crime.
As a broadcaster who lives off the trust and support of viewers, this is something I should never have done.
Moreover, I was also penalized with a license suspension and a fine for a DUI 19 years ago, in 2006.

At that time, I was even more immature and failed to recognize the gravity of my actions or reflect on them.
As a result, I have made the same mistake again.

I confess all my wrongdoings to you and sincerely apologize. I have committed an unforgivable act. I am truly sorry.

Worse than what I have already mentioned is that, for over 50 days after being caught, I did not honestly inform you and continued my broadcasting activities as if nothing had happened.
I know this is an even greater wrongdoing than the DUI itself.

I was afraid of betraying those who supported me.
I was afraid of being criticized by the public.
I was afraid to reveal that, because of my mistake, I had jeopardized the livelihoods of my staff and countless collaborators.

Lost in that fear, I forgot that trust with viewers is most important and tried to hide my wrongdoing.

During the day, I acted as if nothing was wrong, deceiving viewers and colleagues, and at night, I couldn't sleep from fear and guilt.
Even so, I couldn't muster the courage to come forward.
As each day passed, my guilt snowballed.

It was cowardly and foolish—an unforgivable act.

Just as you can't hide the sky with your palm, I knew the truth would eventually come out, yet I let fear and anxiety consume me.

I even wondered, 'Could I just get away with this if no one finds out?'
But I couldn't escape the growing weight of guilt.

So, after more than 50 days, I am finally confessing my sin, even though it is far too late.
To everyone disappointed and hurt by my drunk driving and cowardly deception, I sincerely apologize.

My wrongdoing was entirely my own personal failing.
I did not inform my family, friends, or colleagues. They, too, became victims of my deception.
I deeply apologize to them as well, and I earnestly ask that all criticism and blame be directed at me alone.

For anyone who has been harmed or hurt by my actions, I will do everything I can to make amends.

As part of this, I will find a responsible way to return any income earned from YouTube and broadcasting activities over the past 50 days.

From now on, I will shut down my channel and suspend all broadcasting activities, taking an indefinite period of self-reflection and repentance.

Once again, to everyone I have disappointed and hurt, I sincerely apologize.
I am truly sorry.

Photo Credit: Hong Jang-won Channel

This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews, originally written by Jo Hyejin. This article was translated from Korean using AI-assisted tools and human review to deliver an accurate and culturally appropriate version for international readers.