Shocking turn: Actor Kwak Do-won, previously embroiled in a DUI scandal, has made his first appearance at an official film industry event, drawing intense public attention.
According to OSEN on the 14th, Kwak attended the VIP screening of the film Hope at Megabox COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the previous day. Numerous stars active across the entertainment industry showed up. Returning to a film event for the first time in a while, Kwak reportedly greeted fellow actors and the production team.
Kwak's appearance seems tied to his long-standing relationship with director Na Hong-jin. In 2016, he played lead character Jeon Jong-gu in the film The Wailing. At the time, he also worked with Hope lead Hwang Jung-min.
In September 2022, on Jeju Island, Kwak was caught driving after drinking. His blood alcohol concentration was 0.158%, far exceeding the threshold for license revocation. He later received a summary order imposing a 10 million KRW fine.
After the incident, Kwak halted activities, disrupting release plans for projects already filmed. The film Firefighter was delayed and finally reached audiences in December 2024, while the TVING series Villains also pushed back its premiere before releasing the same year.
Following the release of Villains, Kwak issued a handwritten statement, saying, "I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt and disappointed by my wrongdoing." He added, "Rather than seeking quick forgiveness, I will show responsibility through my actions and prove it through my life." Still, criticism continued over the fact that it took nearly three years after the incident for him to deliver a direct apology.
His attendance at the Hope VIP screening does not immediately signal a full-scale return. However, as this is his first film-industry event since the DUI controversy, public attention is focused on whether he will resume activities and what his next steps will be.