Actors Lee Jae-ryong (left) and Ahn Jae-wook, who appeared last month on the YouTube channel ‘Jjanhan-hyung Shin Dong-yeob’. Both have been repeatedly caught driving under the influence. The YouTube channel in question

Actor Lee Jae-ryong was arrested after fleeing following drunk driving. As it became known that just ten days earlier he had appeared on a ‘drinking web variety show’ and showed off his alcohol tolerance, criticism has intensified.

According to the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on the 7th, around 2 a.m. that day Lee is suspected of driving near Samseong Jungang Station on Subway Line 9 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, crashing into the median strip, and fleeing the scene (failure to take measures after an accident, etc.).

After parking his vehicle at his home, Lee then went to the home of an acquaintance and was apprehended by police. His blood alcohol concentration at the time was reportedly at the license suspension level.

This is not the first time Lee has been embroiled in a drunk driving controversy. In 2003, after causing a drunk driving accident in Gangnam, he refused a breathalyzer test and had his license revoked.

Public criticism is now being directed at the YouTube channel ‘Jjanhan-hyung Shin Dong-yeob’. In a video released on the 23rd of last month, Lee appeared with his close colleague, actor Ahn Jae-wook, and, while drinking tequila he had brought himself, showed off his drinking capacity.

Actor Lee Jung-jae, who has two prior drunk driving offenses. The ‘Jjanhan-hyung Shin Dong-yeob’ YouTube channel

At the time, when Lee said, “I have been into tequila lately,” Ahn replied, “Is it not time for you to quit drinking rather than just tequila?” To this, Lee responded, “I am still fine for now.”

On that program, Ahn also said, “My children tell me not to drink, but I often black out.” Ahn likewise has a record of habitual drunk driving. He caused drunk driving accidents in 2003 and 2019. In particular, in 2003 he crashed into the car in front while driving under the influence at the Jeil Life Insurance intersection in Gangnam-gu.

Entertainers with drunk driving records appearing on ‘Jjanhan-hyung’ are not limited to Lee Jae-ryong and Ahn Jae-wook.

People with drunk driving records have appeared one after another on the drinking-themed YouTube channel. Kyunghyang Shinmun AI image

Actor Lee Jung-jae, who was caught drunk driving twice in 1999 (blood alcohol content 0.222%) and 2002 (0.0545), appeared on the program in June 2024 and shared drinks with Shin Dong-yeob.

As a result, public reaction is coalescing into criticism of the YouTube channel, saying, “ ‘Jjanhan-hyung’ is also at fault for setting the stage for convicted drunk drivers to flaunt their drinking prowess.” Although it is a YouTube variety show, because popular entertainers who appear in films and television took part, it is calling out their moral laxity.