"How Exhausted Must He Be... Tears Flow" Kim Hojoong's Fan Cafe Overflowing with Comfort

Kim Ho-jung Accused of Drunk Hit-and-Run Ahead of Concert
"People Can Make Mistakes in Life" Excessive Defense
Agency: "Visited Entertainment Venue as a Courtesy... Did Not Drink"

Controversy surrounds posts on the fan cafe of trot singer Kim Ho-joong (33), who is suspected of hit-and-run and driver substitution. Fans are focusing on 'defending Kim Ho-joong' despite knowing about the accident.

Members of the fan cafe supporting Kim Ho-jung (left), trot singer Kim Ho-jung (right). [Photo by Kim Ho-jung Official Fan Cafe, Instagram]

On the 16th, it was revealed that fans registered in Kim Ho-joong's official fan cafe 'Trotarotti' posted messages defending him on online communities and social networking services (SNS). Fan A, who supports Kim, expressed concern, saying, "My heart hurts so much," and "I wonder how exhausted he must have been to do that. I can understand the hit-and-run. I feel like crying."

The post received a series of supportive comments from Kim's fans, such as "I lost sleep at night. I couldn't focus on work all day, and my heart aches," "I support the singer (Kim Ho-joong). I am praying," and "I hate hearing the noise on every broadcast. Star (Kim Ho-joong), please don't break down and stay strong. I will support you until the end." Some fans even commented, "People can make mistakes in life."

Fans supporting Kim Ho-joong at the fan cafe.
[Photo by Kim Ho-joong Official Fan Cafe, Kim Ho-joong Instagram]

Some also criticized media coverage related to Kim. Fan B said, "Broadcasts exaggerate to drag a celebrity down," and emphasized, "No one is perfect. Being a public figure, he must be very stressed watching every move. Fans should pray and support him."

As news spread that posts defending Kim were continuously appearing within the fan club, netizens responded coldly with comments like, "Why defend a criminal?", "This is what happens when you like someone excessively," "I hope my mom never acts like that," "It's ridiculous to defend the perpetrator," and "Shielding a hit-and-run."

Kim Ho-joong Suspected of Drunk Driving, Hit-and-Run, and Driver Substitution... Agency Actively Defends

Trot singer Kim Ho-jung. [Source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Kim is accused of fleeing the scene after colliding with an oncoming taxi around 11:40 p.m. on the 9th on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu (violation of the Road Traffic Act for failure to stop after an accident). In particular, Kim Ho-joong's manager, a man in his 30s, is suspected of 'driver substitution' after visiting the police station about three hours after the accident wearing the clothes Kim was wearing at the time and confessing to causing the accident.

In response to the controversy, Kim's agency issued an official statement actively explaining the situation. Saenggak Entertainment, the agency, said, "The accident occurred due to inexperienced driving, and he made a wrong judgment due to severe panic. On the day of the accident, the 9th, Kim Ho-joong visited a nightclub to greet acquaintances during a drinking gathering with relatives and the agency's CEO (myself, CEO Lee Gwang-deuk). However, Kim Ho-joong did not drink at all as he had a concert in Goyang coming up. Afterwards, Kim Ho-joong went home first, and while driving his own car for personal reasons, the accident happened due to inexperienced driving. The hit-and-run suspicion seems to be a result of a wrong judgment made during severe panic at the time of the accident," defending Kim.

They continued, "After the accident, the manager called to inform us of the accident. At that time, Kim Ho-joong was already in severe panic and made a wrong judgment by not handling the accident and moving the vehicle. We instructed the manager, who is known to have surrendered, to forcibly take Kim Ho-joong's clothes and change into them to handle the situation on his behalf. Everything happened because I, as Kim Ho-joong's representative and relative, tried to overprotect him. Kim Ho-joong and those involved are cooperating with the police investigation. We will do our best to handle the aftermath."