# Former WINNER Member Nam Tae Hyun Gets 1 Year in Prison — A Reckless Night That Cost Everything

URL: https://technosports.co.in/former-winner-member-nam-tae-hyun-get/  
Published: 2026-04-09  
Updated: 2026-04-09  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

It’s a sobering moment for the K-pop world. Former WINNER member Nam Tae Hyun has been handed a prison sentence following a drunk driving incident that shocked fans — and the details of the case make it even more serious than many realized.

## Tae Hyun Case Summary at a Glance

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Celebrity** | Nam Tae Hyun (Former WINNER member) |
| **Court** | Seoul Western District Court, Criminal Division 11 |
| **Charge** | Violating the Road Traffic Act (Drunk Driving) |
| **Incident Date** | April 27, 2025 (~4:10 AM KST) |
| **Location** | Gangbyeonbuk-ro highway near Dongjak Bridge |
| **Speed at Time of Incident** | 182 km/h (Speed limit: 80 km/h) |
| **Blood Alcohol Level** | 0.122% (License revocation level: 0.08%) |
| **Sentence** | 1 Year in Prison + ₩1 Million Fine (~$675) |
| **Trial Date** | April 9, 2026 |

## What Happened That Night?

![Tae Hyun](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Nname-1024x576.jpg)

Nam Tae Hyun is accused of causing an accident at around 4:10 a.m. KST on April 27 last year after drinking while attempting to overtake a vehicle near Dongjak Bridge on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro highway heading toward Ilsan, during which he crashed into the central divider. He was driving at 182 km/h, far exceeding the road’s speed limit of 80 km/h.

Although there were no injuries or victims from the accident, his blood alcohol concentration at the time was reported to be 0.122 percent, well above the license revocation level of 0.08 percent.

A lucky outcome in terms of no casualties — but the court made clear that luck is not a mitigating factor.

## Why the Court Handed Down a Strict Sentence

The judge didn’t hold back. The court stated that while Nam Tae Hyun had confessed and shown reflection, they took into account that he committed drunk driving again despite previously being fined for the same offense. Additionally, he committed this offense during a probation period following a confirmed drug-related charge, which warranted strict punishment.

During the final hearing on March 12, prosecutors had originally requested a sentence of one year and six months in prison along with a fine of 1 million won, citing his prior record for similar offenses, his high blood alcohol level, excessive speeding, and the fact that the incident occurred during his probation period.

The court ultimately sentenced him to one year — slightly below what prosecutors sought, but a firm message nonetheless.

## A Pattern That Couldn’t Be Ignored

This isn’t an isolated mistake. The combination of a prior drunk driving fine, a drug-related probation period, and now this incident paints a troubling picture. [Drunk driving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunk_driving) laws in South Korea have grown increasingly strict in recent years, especially following high-profile cases, and the courts are clearly signalling zero tolerance for repeat offenders — celebrity or not.

> 🎤 **Following K-pop celebrity news and controversies?** Stay updated with the latest developments on [TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in) — covering everything from K-pop milestones to breaking entertainment news!

## FAQs

### **Q: What was Nam Tae Hyun sentenced for and what is his punishment?**

He was sentenced to 1 year in prison and fined ₩1 million (~$675) by the Seoul Western District Court for violating the Road Traffic Act through drunk driving in April 2025.

### **Q: Was anyone hurt in Nam Tae Hyun’s drunk driving accident?**

 No injuries or victims were reported from the crash, though he was driving at 182 km/h — more than twice the 80 km/h speed limit — with a blood alcohol level of 0.122%.