Paroled trot singer Kim Ho-joong hints at comeback in letter to fans

Trot singer Kim Ho-joong, 35, who was imprisoned for a hit-and-run offense, is set for parole release and has drawn attention after sending fans a letter hinting at a return to performing.

On May 29, the full text of a letter from Kim was posted on his fan cafe under the title "To my beloved Aris" — the name of his fandom.

Written April 1, the letter read: "It has been nearly two years of punishment. I will carry the weight of my wrongdoing, carved into my bones." He added, "Somehow, I will rise again. I will sing. I will not give up."

In a separate letter written in February, Kim said, "Time has passed and is nearing two years, yet no matter how much I reflect and repent each day, it never feels like enough." He continued, "I am so sorry to the Aris. Everything is my fault. Through this letter, I sincerely ask for forgiveness." He added that he would "not waste time" and pledged to "live diligently and keep reflecting."

Kim had been scheduled for full release in November, but he passed his parole review and will walk free Monday at 10 a.m.

On May 9, 2024, Kim drove drunk in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, collided with an oncoming taxi and fled the scene. The accident itself was relatively minor.

The greater problem lay in his efforts to cover up the crime. Kim flatly denied being drunk and engaged in what is known as "sul tagi" — drinking additional alcohol after the accident to manipulate the timing of his intoxication and deceive investigators. Once his method became public, a string of copycat incidents followed, with offenders apparently fleeing the scene of a drunk-driving accident and then drinking more.

Kim also committed "gapjil" — workplace abuse — by pressuring a junior employee to falsely turn himself in to police, claiming he had been the driver. One employee did appear before investigators wearing Kim's clothes and submitted a false confession on the agency's orders. Kim's agency also destroyed evidence by removing the memory chip from the dashcam in his vehicle.