South Korean actor Lee Jae-ryong under DUI probe after Seoul crash

South Korean actor Lee Jae-ryong is under police scrutiny on suspicion of drunk driving after a late-evening crash in Seoul. The incident occurred on the night of the 6th in the Gangnam district, when his car struck a central divider. He then parked at his home in Cheongdam-dong before moving on to a nearby restaurant with acquaintances.

Authorities say he visited a bar shortly after the crash. The sequence—driving intoxicated, stopping at a bar, and then continuing to a restaurant—is part of the police’s inquiry into the events that followed the collision.

Investigators are also examining whether Lee attempted to hide the DUI by continuing to drink at another venue, a practice referred to in Korean as “soju-taki.” The police pressed this line of inquiry during his first questioning on the 10th.

Lee was summoned by the police on the 10th and left the investigation after about four hours. His side has denied the allegations regarding the “soju-taki” claim.

The case highlights how drunk-driving investigations are handled in Korea, where high-profile arrests can ripple through the entertainment industry. For international audiences, the episode matters because Korea’s entertainment sector has substantial global reach, with Korean actors and productions shaping streaming catalogs and co-productions that involve U.S. platforms and studios. A prominent figure facing DUI allegations can affect endorsement deals, production schedules, and international collaborations, underscoring how domestic legal issues can influence global markets.

The incident also underscores Seoul’s nightlife dynamics and the public accountability expected of public figures in Korea. For U.S. readers, it illustrates how Korea’s authorities pursue potential cover-up behavior in DUI cases and how such cases can become news beyond national borders when they involve well-known actors.