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After actor Son Seung-won was sentenced to one year in prison last month, the Prosecution Service has appealed the sentencing. They are seeking a harsher sentence for the actor who has been charged five times for drunk driving. Known for his TV roles on Hello, My Twenties! and Welcome to Waikiki, Son Seung-won revealed remorse for his actions at the appeal court session. He stated that he would spend all of his remaining time in prison reflecting upon his actions and paying the price for what he had done. The actor was first charged for drunk driving back in April 2019 and had spent a year in prison.

In a report by Star News, it was shared that the Seoul Western District Court's First Criminal Division (Appeal) (B) held the first appeal trial for Son Seung-won on charges including violation of the Road Traffic Act (hit-and-run causing injury under the Special Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes) on July 23. Earlier, the actor was only sentenced to one year in prison, and the Prosecution Service wanted a four-year prison sentence and therefore appealed.

 

The actor was already in custody and made his court appearance in prison clothes. Son Seung-won, who led the performance of Hedwig and the Angry Inch on stage, shared that he accepted all charges from the first trial and was serving his time as a punishment. In court, the remorseful actor said, "During my incarceration, I have been filled with regret and self-blame from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep."

In November 2025, the actor was arrested for driving in reverse on the Gangbyeon Expressway. At his trial in February 2026, it was revealed that his blood alcohol level was 0.165 per cent, which is over double the limit for license revocation at 0.08 per cent. He lied to the police that his designated driver had left the car and asked his girlfriend to remove the black box storage device in an attempt to destroy evidence against him.

Son Seung-won became the first performer to be punished under what is now known as the 'Yoon Chang-ho Law' (amended Special Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and Road Traffic Act). The court will deliver its verdict at 2:30 pm KST on August 13, 2026.