Refused Breathalyzer Two Months Ago, Arrested on the Spot
Previously Caught Twice for Drunk Driving
A famous mukbang YouTuber who was accused of refusing a breathalyzer test and fleeing the scene before being arrested has posted a belated apology nearly two months after the incident.
Sanghae Ki (real name: Kwon Sanghyeok, age 33), who has 1.61 million subscribers, recently addressed the issue on his YouTube channel community, stating, "I am truly sorry for not speaking up for such a long time." He added, "I struggled to find the right words, overwhelmed by guilt, fear, and the thought that I had disappointed those who believed in me."
He continued, "I spent a lot of time alone, deeply reflecting on myself," and wrote, "I have been spending each day reflecting on how wrong my actions were and how many people I have hurt as a result."
He went on to say, "I sincerely apologize to everyone who cared for me and waited for me. I am sorry. And I am truly grateful."
On September 21, at around 3:40 a.m. in the Gangnam district of Seoul, Sanghae Ki was arrested on the spot after repeatedly refusing police requests for a breathalyzer test while driving his vehicle following a report of suspected drunk driving. When pursued by the police, he abandoned his car and fled approximately 300 meters on foot. Even after being apprehended, he reportedly continued to refuse police requests for a breathalyzer test multiple times.
At the time of the incident, only the fact that the suspect was a famous YouTuber with over 1.6 million subscribers was made public, but speculation soon arose online that it was Sanghae Ki. Comments from users asking, "Are you the YouTuber involved in the drunk driving incident?" flooded Sanghae Ki's YouTube channel and social media accounts, but he remained silent.
During this period, reports emerged that Sanghae Ki had previously been punished twice for drunk driving. Since the allegations surfaced, his subscriber count has dropped from about 1.65 million to 1.61 million, a decrease of around 40,000. However, Sanghae Ki did not release any statement and suspended all online activities, including content uploads.
Sanghae Ki began his career as a BJ on AfreecaTV (now SoopTV) in 2018 before moving to YouTube as a mukbang creator. He also launched a French fries brand, opening around 30 franchise locations nationwide, and has appeared on shows such as KBS2's "Boss in the Mirror," gaining further recognition.
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