Ex-BTOB Jung Ilhoon Reflects on Hosting an Exhibition After Completing Drug Addiction Treatment

On October 4, Jung Ilhoon shared a heartfelt message on his personal SNS, stating, “Hello, it’s been a while. First, thank you for the birthday wishes. I also want to express my gratitude to everyone who visited the exhibition. I was surprised by how much love I received, far more than I expected, and today has been an incredibly happy day that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I love you all.”

Born on October 4, 1994, Jung Ilhoon celebrated his milestone 30th birthday this year. To honor this occasion, he hosted an art exhibition titled “tiny ark” from October 4 to 6 in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Jung shared insights into his artistic journey via SNS and utilized a two-story venue to connect with his fans during the exhibit.

Jung Ilhoon gained public attention in December 2020 after it was revealed that he had purchased and used marijuana 161 times between July 2016 and January 2019, totaling approximately 130 million KRW. Following these revelations, he departed from BTOB, and in his initial trial, he received a sentence of two years in prison along with a fine of about 133 million KRW.

During his appeal, the court modified his sentence to two years in prison with a three-year probation, 40 hours of drug rehabilitation, and a fine of 126.63 million KRW. The court noted his voluntary cessation of drug use in January 2019, absence of any prior criminal record, his commitment to drug addiction treatment, and support from his family as contributing factors to the reduced sentence.

Throughout the judicial process, Jung Ilhoon submitted 88 letters expressing remorse, pleading for leniency. Upon his release, he issued a public apology to fans via SNS, stating, “During the years of investigation, trial and time spent in detention, I was able to reflect deeply on my life. I regret my actions and will do my best to live correctly from now on, ensuring that I never hurt anyone again.”

He continued, “As much harm as I caused to society and as much as I disappointed those who believed in me, I will strive to live righteously, making sure I never repeat the same mistakes. I will carefully watch over myself and my surroundings to ensure I make the right choices in the future.”

Since the incident, Jung Ilhoon has adopted a low profile, providing occasional updates on his Instagram about his life and art. With the recent three-day exhibition, he cautiously reengages with the public, prompting speculation about whether this signifies his return to the entertainment industry.

Source: Nate

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