Event Organizer KBS "Termination of Hosting Name Contract"
Singer Kim Ho-jung (33), who is accused of fleeing the scene after causing a traffic accident while driving under the influence, is proceeding with a joint performance with four world-class orchestras.
Performance Organizer States "No Replacement of Performer"… Kim Ho-jung to Proceed with 4 Billion KRW Scale Performance
On the 20th, Yonhap News reported that Dumir, the organizer of the 'World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-jung & Primadonna' ('Super Classic') concert held from the 23rd to the 25th at the special stage of KSPO DOME (Olympic Gymnastics Arena) in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, informed the event host KBS that "replacement of performers is not possible."
Kim, who is scheduled to appear as the main guest and perform alongside soprano Aida Garifullina, will participate in this concert featuring active members of world-class orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic visiting Korea. After it was belatedly revealed that Kim is under police investigation for causing a traffic accident late at night on the 9th in Gangnam, Seoul, and fleeing the scene, KBS, the event host, requested Dumir, the organizer, to replace the performer on the 14th. However, Dumir refused KBS's request, citing the tight schedule and issues related to large refund and penalty fees, making performer replacement difficult. The 'Super Classic' concert, with ticket prices ranging from 150,000 to 230,000 KRW, sold out 20,000 seats for two days as soon as reservations opened, reportedly generating about 4 billion KRW in ticket sales.
Regarding this, KBS stated on the same day, "We urged the concert organizer to faithfully fulfill their obligations to prevent damage to KBS's reputation, but since there was no response, we terminated the contract for the use of the hosting name and took measures such as prohibiting the use of the hosting name and logo."
Kim Ho-jung Denied 'Drunk Hit-and-Run' Allegations but Admitted DUI After Forensic Results
Meanwhile, Kim is accused of fleeing the scene after causing an accident around 11:40 p.m. on the 9th in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, where he collided with a taxi on the opposite side of the road (charges include hit-and-run causing injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and failure to take measures after an accident under the Road Traffic Act). After the accident, Kim did not respond to police summons and stayed at a hotel, appearing only 17 hours later when breath alcohol testing was practically impossible, raising suspicions that he was driving under the influence at the time of the accident. However, Kim had denied these allegations. But immediately after completing his concert tour 'Tvarotti Classic Arena Tour 2024 - Changwon,' he admitted to drunk driving through his agency.
In a statement, Kim said, "Within a few days, I will voluntarily appear before the police to fully acknowledge the facts, including drunk driving, and apologize to my fans and the public," adding, "I had planned to voluntarily appear and be investigated on the afternoon of the 20th and express my position to the public, but the investigation was postponed due to police circumstances."
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