Trot singer Jung Dong Won under investigation for underage unlicensed driving in South Korea

Jung Dong Won

Trot singer Jung Dong Won, one of the youngest and most popular faces in the trot scene, is back in headlines, this time not for music, but for legal trouble.

According to reports from MBN, the 17-year-old is being investigated by the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office for allegedly violating the Road Traffic Act.

The case dates back to 2023, when Jung, then 16, allegedly drove a vehicle without a license in his hometown of Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. The incident might have gone unnoticed, until earlier this year, when three individuals reportedly tried to blackmail the singer with a video showing him behind the wheel of a truck.

According to the reports, the blackmailers demanded more than 200 million KRW (around $145,000) from the singer to keep the footage hidden. Instead of giving in, Jung refused to pay and turned to authorities.

“He admitted his mistake and prepared to take responsibility,” his legal representative told MBN, adding that Jung had driven “out of curiosity only once.” The suspects who attempted to extort him are now in custody and facing trial.

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This isn’t the first brush with traffic violations for the young star. On March 23, 2023, Jung was caught riding a motorcycle on the Dongbu Expressway in Seoul, which is restricted to automobiles. At the time, prosecutors let him off with a warning, considering his age and that it was a first offense.

Now, with prosecutors officially investigating, Jung’s career faces an uncertain turn. For fans, it’s a big shocker from the teen singer’s usual bright image on music stages and variety shows to now facing legal trouble.