Source: STAR News
Celebrities who caused controversy over drunk driving have been banned from KBS broadcasts.
According to a leaked 'KBS Appearance Regulation' list obtained by STAR News on the 21st, KBS has announced temporary suspension on actress Kim Sae-ron (22), Kwak Do-won (49), and singer Shin Hye-sung (42) who were caught drunk driving in October.
Kim Sae-ron was indicted without detention for drunk driving and fleeing the scene on the 16th after driving drunk in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul at 8am on May 18th. She hit guard rails, trees on the streets as well as a transformer causing businesses to lose power. Her blood alcohol test results showed levels of 0.2% far exceeding the amount for license cancellation of 0.08%.
Kim Sae-ron had to drop out on all her works including Netflix Original 'Hunting Dogs' and SBS' new drama 'Trolley' where she was scheduled to appear. She also recently left her agency Gold Medalist.
Kwak Do-won was handed over to the prosecution on charges of drunk driving on the 15th after he fell asleep in his SUV that he left parked on a road at Bongseong-ri, Ewol-eup, Jeju at around 5:00am on September 25th and was caught by police. At the time, his blood alcohol level also exceeded the license cancellation level of 0.08%. According to police, Kwak Do-won drove about 10km from Geumneung-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju to Ewol-eup.
Kwak Do-won was on the recommendation list and banned from being casted on KBS broadcasts due to his 'Me Too' controversy but the regulation was lifted last year. However, he has been placed back on the 'ban' list again due to his 'drunk driving' scandal.
Shin Hye-sung was sent to the prosecution without detention last month on charges of illegal use of a stolen vehicle and refusal to take a breathalyzer test. He was arrested by police on Tancheon 2-gyo Bridge in Songpa-gu, Seoul at 1:40am on October 11th disappointing fans. In addition, the vehicle he was driving was identified as a stolen vehicle, sparking controversy.
According to police, Shin Hye-sung got drunk at a restaurant in Nohyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul and was driven by a substitute driver at the time. But after his acquaintance left the vehicle, he sent away the substitute driver and drove directly from Sujeong-gu, Seongnam to Tancheon 2 brige.
Composer Don Spike (45) who was arrested and indicted on charges of possessing and administering meth was also suspended from appearing on KBS programs. Don was accused of taking drugs 14 times including buying meth worth 45 million won 9 times since December last year and injecting meth several times with female guests. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison at the final trial on the 20th.
According to the 'KBS Appearance Act', celebrities who caused social controversy (scandals) through illegal or immoral acts are subject to "regulatory review" for broadcast appearances. The Broadcasting Contribution Regulatory Committee is responsible for holding review meetings on celebs embroiled in scandals related to "avoiding military service", "habitual drug use and smoking marijuana," "scams, theft, gambling", and "violence and sexual harassment." The Committee also reviews any "other civil and criminal charges" and cases of "disturbances of customs and social order."
Depending on the severity of the issue, the celebrity in question can be banned from all broadcasts, temporarily suspended or appearances heavily regulated.
Former BTOB member Jung Il-hoon (28) who caused a stir for his marijuana scandal last year was temporarily suspended from all broadcasts however regulations have been tightened since after he received a two year prison sentence and three year probation.
Actor Ha Jung-woo (44) who was fined 30 million won for illegally administering propofol and former iKON member B.I (26, Kim Hanbin) who was sentenced to 3 years in prison suspended for 4 years probation were also suspended from broadcasts.
Actress Park Si-yeon (43) fined 12 million won for drunk driving was also on the suspended list.
