Shinhwa‘s  Hyesung has avoided a prison sentence for drunk driving, but his situation is far from celebratory as his return to entertainment activities remains uncertain.

This was his second offense of drunk driving, and he also refused to take a breathalyzer test multiple times, which significantly damaged his public image. There is a prevailing view that he is effectively being ousted from the entertainment industry.

On October 11, 2022, Hyesung was arrested as a current offender after being caught driving a vehicle (which had been reported stolen) while heavily intoxicated.

The police charged Hyesung with drunk driving and illegal use of a vehicle. Although theft was discussed, it was determined there was no intent, and he was charged with illegal use of the vehicle.

During the trial that started in April last year, Hyesung’s side agreed to all the facts and evidence presented. However, they pleaded for leniency citing that he had reached an amicable settlement with the car owner and that there were no physical damages caused by his drunk driving.

Hyesung also emphasized that he has suffered from depression, panic disorder, and social anxiety, which made it difficult for him to work.

The first court, on April 20 of the same year, sentenced Hyesung to six months in prison suspended for one year. However, the prosecution, which had demanded two years in prison, appealed immediately, criticizing that Hyesung had previously been punished for drunk driving in 2007 yet committed the same crime again while extremely intoxicated and refusing a breathalyzer test from the police.

The appeal continued into the following year, and on the 12th, the appellate court maintained the original suspended sentence by rejecting the prosecution’s appeal.

Although he escaped a physical prison sentence, the public regards him almost as if he had been convicted due to the increasing social intolerance towards drunk driving and because this was his second offense.

Comments like “There’s a low chance of recurrence” from his lawyer and “I’ll make sure this never happens again” from Shin Hyesung have not been well received, and there are widespread calls for him not to return to entertainment.

Realistically, a comeback in the entertainment industry seems unlikely. He had to take a significant break after his first DUI, and now it seems he will need to lay low for an even longer period.

While he might attempt to return quietly through activities with Shinhwa, many feel that this would not be beneficial for either Hyesung or Shinhwa.

This controversy has also brought past misdemeanors of other Shinhwa members back into discussion, further damaging the group’s image. Other members have previously been embroiled in scandals involving drunk driving, driving without a license, and gambling.

Shinhwa’s activities were already on pause in 2022 before Hyesung’s drunk driving incident. They passed their 25th anniversary last year without any major events, and this year, they continue to focus on individual activities rather than group endeavors under the ‘Shinhwa’ name.

It remains to be seen whether Hyesung can overcome the public disapproval and return to his role as the main vocalist of this long-standing idol group.