How many times might a celebrity let us down in terms of their public image before we give up on them? Is it even possible for someone who we love for making us laugh to return to that love? And what do we do when the situation continues to worsen?
Comedian Lee Jin-ho is in the spotlight now, after a successful run on SBS, especially as a cast member of Knowing Bros and Comedy Big League. Lee Jin-ho’s first major downfall was admitting that he was an illegal gambler last year. Lee Jin-ho’s gambling scandal got him taken off the air and dealt with the consequences. However, after we thought it was safe to look away from the aftermath of his destructive behavior, Lee Jin-ho made headlines again after a nasty drunk driving incident, damaging not just his career, but also how people view him.
After this incident, fans wondered if there was even a way for him to return to even some of the spotlight after this incident. Let’s look at the events leading to this, and how we got here.
Timeline of Events
The fall of comedian Lee Jin-ho didn’t happen overnight. His troubles began years ago and have continued to snowball into a full-blown scandal. Here’s how events unfolded:
- 2020 – The Beginning of Gambling Addiction:
Lee Jin-ho admitted that he first started using illegal online gambling sites in 2020. What began “out of curiosity” quickly spiraled into uncontrollable debt. - 2023–2024 – Public Confession & Borrowing Scandal:
In October 2023, he confessed through Instagram that he was heavily involved in gambling and had borrowed large sums of money from fellow celebrities. Among those he reportedly borrowed from were comedian Lee Soo-geun, BTS member Jimin, and singer Ha Sung-woon—with debts reportedly running into billions of won. - April 2025 – Prosecutors Take Over:
His case was officially referred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of illegal gambling and fraud, further solidifying the damage to his reputation. - September 24, 2025 – Drunk Driving Arrest:
Just as the gambling case continued to unfold, Lee was caught drunk driving. He allegedly drove nearly 100 kilometers from Incheon to Yangpyeong at around 3 a.m., despite being intoxicated. - Police Test Results – Severe DUI:
Initial breathalyzer tests showed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.11%, while a follow-up blood test confirmed an even higher 0.12%—well above the threshold for license revocation in South Korea. - Agency Response – Full Admission & Apology:
His agency SM C&C quickly confirmed the charges, issuing a public apology:
“Lee Jin-ho accepts his wrongdoing without any excuses and is deeply reflecting on his actions. We take responsibility and will ensure he cooperates fully with the legal process.”
This timeline paints a clear picture of how a once-popular comedian went from beloved TV figure to a symbol of repeated mistakes.
Details of the Drunk Driving Case
The drunk driving incident that has once again put Lee Jin-ho under fire unfolded in the early hours of September 24, 2025.
- The Circumstances Leading Up to It
According to police reports, the situation began with an argument between Lee Jin-ho and his girlfriend while they were drinking in Incheon. Instead of resolving the matter calmly, Lee made the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. - The Arrest
Around 3:20 a.m., police received a report about a possible drunk driver leaving Incheon. After a coordinated search, Lee was eventually caught near his home in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, nearly 100 kilometers away from where he started. Witness statements and patrol officers confirmed erratic driving behavior before his arrest. - Blood Alcohol Level – What It Means
At the time of arrest, Lee’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measured 0.11% via a breath test, and a later blood test showed 0.12%. In South Korea, any BAC of 0.08% or higher leads to license revocation, making his case a serious violation. - Lee’s Own Admission
Unlike in some celebrity scandals where excuses are made, Lee immediately admitted to the charges. Both he and his agency stated that there were “no excuses” for his actions, and he is said to be in deep reflection over the incident.
This incident, combined with his ongoing gambling investigation, paints a troubling picture of repeated poor judgment—further diminishing the chances of a comeback to the entertainment industry.
Gambling Scandal Background
Long before the incident of drunk driving, Lee Jin-ho’s name had already suffered a grave blow due to his illegal gambling scandal.
- How It Started: In 2020, Lee confessed that he had started gambling on illegal online sites “in a chance encounter.” What began as curiosity escalated into an addiction that Lee was unable to control and led him into serious financial issues.
- Borrowed Money from Celebrities: In order to pay his debts, Lee is said to have borrowed about 2.3 billion won (around 1.7 million US dollars) from friends and fellow celebrities. The list of people he owes money to shocked the public when it was revealed, including comedian Lee Soo-geun, BTS’s Jimin and singer Ha Sung-woon.
- Public Backlash & Halt of Career: The scandal, which erupted in late 2023-2024, resulted from Lee’s public admission of gambling on Instagram. Netizens were outraged, criticizing Lee who has betrayed the trust of his fans and friends. Consequently, Lee ended up stepping aside from his broadcasting duties. Popular shows such as JTBC’s Knowing Bros, and tvN’s Comedy Big League will continue without Lee. His image as the beloved comedian was gone in a matter of hours.
- Agency’s Response: His agency, SM C&C, later stated that Lee was reflecting deeply on his actions. They emphasized that he was committed to repaying all debts gradually and would take full legal responsibility for his mistakes.
Despite those promises, the new drunk driving scandal has reignited anger, with many questioning whether his “self-reflection” was ever genuine.
Agency’s Official Statement (SM C&C)
After news reports broke of Lee Jin-ho’s drunk driving case, his agency, SM C&C, immediately released an official statement to the public.
- Apology on behalf of the comedian: The agency expressed deep regret about the situation and referred to the error as a disgraceful mistake. They stated that Lee Jin-ho admits full responsibility” without excuses or justifications and is deeply contemplating this situation.
- Acceptance of Legal Punishment: SM C&C emphasized that the comedian and agency will both accept legal punishment, or whatever will be deemed by the police level. The agency reiterated that Lee Jin-ho admits his fault and will not try to refrain from whatever reprimand may be part of the legal matter.
- Promise of Full Cooperation: Lastly, Lee will fully cooperate with the police manner and follow whichever legal steps, until this case is fully resolved. The agency also admitted to their own fault and shared level of responsibility, and promised stricter management as to never have this type of matter occur again.
The agency’s statement, despite its apology, has done little to ease the public’s anger, as many of Lee Jin-ho’s fans feel that a number of apologies will restore credibility for Lee.
Netizen & Public Reaction
- Korean Netizens (K-Netz): The reaction from domestic fans has been very harsh. Many Korean netizens have expressed feelings of disappointment, going as far as to say Lee Jin-ho’s actions “cannot be forgiven.” The most popular comments online indicate that “he has already lost his opportunity to have a comeback” and “after gambling, it’s now drunk driving? He must not have learned.” This incident seems to symbolize the final straw for a lot of people, indicating the end of some of the public’s goodwill toward Jin-ho.
- International Netizens (I-Netz): The responses of international audiences have been more varied. The bulk of audiences voiced a similar level of disappointment and frustration but others argued about the essential value of forgiveness and rehabilitation, citing that celebrities are also human and can make mistakes. Although even more sympathetic comments noted that repeat scandals made it difficult to defend him.
- Overall Sentiment:In both the domestic and international audiences, the general feeling is that Lee Jin-ho’s career has been damaged beyond repair. What many thought might have been a temporary stepping aside from entertainment, now looks more like a permanent exit.
Legal Consequences & What’s Next
Due to his recent drunk driving incident. Lee Jin-ho has serious legal consequences ahead of him. In South Korea, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.08% can result in fines, license revocation, and even jail time. Lee’s most recent blood test was 0.12%, which means he will face license revocation and possibly other sentences under the Road Traffic Act.
It is likely that he would be charged without detention since he has already admitted to the charges. Moreover, Lee Jin-ho is pending a gambling case, and any sentence he earns may have additional sentencing factors due to this gambling charge.
With multiple, simultaneous charges, it will also be difficult for Lee Jin-ho to return to TV or variety shows, considering that channels and producers may not want to work with him during ongoing investigations.
The combination of the drunk driving and gambling scandals have placed Lee Jin-ho in a difficult position, as both legal issues and public opinion are against him.
Impact on Career & Entertainment Industry
Lee Jin-ho’s career prospects have taken a dramatic turn for the worse with the recent combination of his illegal gambling and drunk driving scandals. Once a beloved comedian who shaped audiences’ feelings about Korea on broadcasts like Knowing Bros and Comedy Big League, Lee Jin-ho now seems stripped of all credibility from fans and industry professionals.
Due to the pools of public disdain surrounding Lee, every company, variety show, and network association is too risky to make when it comes to Lee Jin-ho. In Korea, even a minor scandal can end a celebrity’s career. Because of the gravity of his issues before and now, the road to recovery seems so laborious for Lee that it nearly seems impossible.
This case also highlights how the K-entertainment industry handles scandals and second chances. While there have been K-stars who have successfully navigated scandals and re-created a career, Lee Jin-ho faces an uphill battle to recover, as this is not the first, or even the second, time Lee is facing these issues. Fans and industry watchers can only hope that, while impossible now on paper, redemption may be possible for Lee Jin-ho or will pristine his career now and forever.
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Conclusion
Lee Jin-ho’s scandals, including illegal gambling and drunk driving, have tarnished what was at one time a bright future in performance and entertainment. The things he has done are reminders that famous people are held to a greater standard and most be accountable for their behaviors on- and off-screen.
This also leads to another question for fans and the general public; do you believe Lee Jin-ho and other actors deserve another chance after repeated scandals? Do you believe Lee Jin-ho’s career is officially and actually over? Answers will vary; however, one thing is certain, a road back from their mistakes is not going to be easy for Lee Jin-ho or any other actor in K-entertainment.
