Lizzy, a former member of After School, has made her first public appearance in four years and offered a tearful apology for her past drunk driving incident.
On August 1, Lizzy appeared on the YouTube channel jjungthewoman, hosted by her former bandmate Jung Ah. This marked her return to the public eye since the 2021 DUI incident that led to widespread criticism and her withdrawal from entertainment activities.
"This is my first appearance since 2021. It has been over four years," Lizzy said during the interview.
In May 2021, Lizzy was involved in a car accident near Yeongdong Bridge in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. She rear-ended a taxi while driving under the influence. Her blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.08 percent, which is above the legal limit for license revocation in South Korea. She was later fined 15 million KRW (approximately $11,500).
Reflecting on the incident, Lizzy said, "It was something that should never have happened, and I have no excuse. It was clearly my fault. I am deeply sorry to the taxi driver who was affected and to everyone who cared about and supported me. I feel I let them down."
She continued, "I used to be seen as cheerful and positive, but after the accident, I was suddenly avoided by many people. That was frightening for me."
Holding back tears, she admitted, "In trying to hold on to what I had lost, I made more mistakes and said things I should not have. I did not realize how high up I was. I worked for the things I wanted, but I received far more blessings than I deserved. Looking back, I now think I may have lived without much awareness of how fortunate I was."
Jung Ah responded, "It is true that what happened should never have happened. But if that incident helped her realize something she might have never known otherwise, then maybe it has changed the direction of her life for the better."
Lizzy debuted as a member of After School in 2010 and became known for her vibrant personality and presence on variety shows. After the DUI incident, she stepped away from all public activities to reflect on her actions.
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