[Sportschosun Reporter Lee Ji-hyun] Singer Kim Ho-joong is set to be released at the end of this month on parole, and a prison letter he sent to fans while incarcerated is drawing renewed attention.
In April, Kim Ho-joong shared a handwritten letter on his official fan cafe titled "To My Beloved ARIS," opening up to fans about how he felt.
In the letter, Kim wrote, "The time of my crime is approaching two years. There have been temptations, ridicule, and many other things over these two years, but I want to say that what did not work on me was the love and trust sent to me by my family. I will engrave my mistakes into my bones and keep them with me."
He then showed his determination to return, saying, "I will stand up again somehow. I will sing. I will not give up." He also urged fans, saying, "Please do not be hurt or sad. Let us keep helping, loving, and cherishing one another as we do now."
He also expressed gratitude for fans' unwavering support, saying, "I will never forget the day I came here and truly saw my own heart. It was raining, floods were rising, storms were blowing, and water was leaking everywhere. But today, I found that ARIS's light has filled all of those wounds with faith and love."
He added, "I will live by acting on the feelings I realized today. I sincerely thank you. And I love you. Thank you for standing with me and being my shelter. And I am sorry." He repeated his apology once again.
Earlier, in February, Kim also sent fans a letter saying, "Time has passed and it is now close to two years, but regret and reflection are endless every day," and added, "Everything is my fault. Through this letter, I sincerely ask for forgiveness. I will not waste time and will live diligently while reflecting on my actions."
Meanwhile, Kim was indicted in connection with a case in which he allegedly drove under the influence in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in May 2024, hit a taxi, and fled the scene. It later emerged that he had instructed his manager to falsely surrender to police after the accident. He initially denied driving under the influence, but admitted it 10 days after the crash.
He was later sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison on charges including dangerous driving causing injury and hit-and-run causing injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, as well as failure to take action after an accident under the Road Traffic Act. Kim began serving his sentence at Seoul Detention Center and was transferred to Yeoju Somang Prison in Gyeonggi Province in August last year.
He had originally been scheduled for release in November, but after recently passing a parole review by the Ministry of Justice, he is now expected to be released at 10 a.m. on the 30th, about five months earlier than planned. With Kim's parole confirmed, attention is now turning to whether he will return and what his future activities will look like.
olzllovely@sportschosun.com
