First-Generation K-Pop Idol Apologizes For Hiring A Driver To Take Him To An Event In An Ambulance

A member of the first-generation idol group g.o.d recently made a public apology for hiring a private driver to take him to an event venue in an ambulance.

Five years ago, a private ambulance driver transported singer Kim Tae Woo to an event venue in exchange for payment.

On October 15, it was announced that the private ambulance driver was sentenced to 1 year and six months of imprisonment and a fine of ₩2.00 million KRW (about $1,480 USD) for violating emergency medical laws and driving without a license.

The private driver was accused of transporting Kim Tae Woo from Ilsan in Gyeonggi Province to a venue in Seoul using a private ambulance in March 2018.

An executive from Kim Tae Woo’s agency at the time claimed that using a private ambulance could avoid traffic congestion and get to the event venue quickly. They then provided the private driver’s phone number to an employee of the event management company. Subsequently, the event management company employee contacted the private driver, requested transportation for Kim Tae Woo, and paid the driver ₩300,000 KRW (about $222 USD).

The agency executive, event management company, and Kim Tae Woo were all prosecuted for violations of emergency medical laws. It was also revealed that the private ambulance driver had a previous drunk driving record and had his license revoked. The judge stated that the driver knew his license was revoked but consistently made “unconvincing excuses” and concluded that strict punishment was necessary.

Kim Tae Woo personally addressed the use of a private ambulance on October 15 through his agency IOK Company. He apologized and said he was reflecting on what happened.

I sincerely apologize for causing concern and disappointment to many people with this incident. I admit my mistake without any excuses and am deeply reflecting on it. I will make sure that such an incident does not happen again. Once again, I sincerely apologize and bow my head in apology.

— Kim Tae Woo

IOK Company also stated that Kim Tae Woo admitted to his mistake during the investigation and is cooperating with the measures he has to take.

Kim Tae Woo acknowledged his wrongdoing during the investigation process and cooperated sincerely with the investigation, and he sincerely regrets and deeply reflects on this incident.

— IOK Company

Kim Tae Woo debuted as the main vocalist of the group g.o.d in 1999 and achieved success as a national idol with many hit songs. He began his solo activities in 2009 with the song “Love Rain.” Recently, he celebrated his 25th anniversary with g.o.d and has been performing in concerts with the group.

Here is the complete statement from IOK Company and Kim Tae Woo himself.

Hello. This is Kim Tae Woo’s agency, IOK Company.

We would like to express our sincere apology for the report reported on the 15th, and we would like to convey Kim Tae Woo’s position as well.

[Hello. This is Kim Tae Woo. I sincerely apologize for causing concern and disappointment to many people with this incident. I admit my mistake without any excuses and am deeply reflecting on it. I will make sure that such an incident does not happen again. Once again, I sincerely apologize and bow my head in apology.]

Kim Tae Woo acknowledged his wrongdoing during the investigation process and cooperated sincerely with the investigation, and he sincerely regrets and deeply reflects on this incident. We sincerely apologize once again for causing concern to many people this time, and we will try to be more careful in managing artists so that we don’t cause concersn like this again. Thank you.

— IOK Company