Lee Kyung-kyu Booked for Drug-Impaired Driving: Prescription Medication Controversy Shakes Korean Entertainment

Who is Lee Kyung-kyu? The Godfather of Korean Variety Shows

Did you know Lee Kyung-kyu is often called the godfather of Korean variety shows? For decades, he’s been a household name, hosting iconic programs like Healing Camp and Master in the House. His sharp wit and unique humor made him a beloved figure not only in Korea but among K-entertainment fans worldwide. That’s why the recent news of his police investigation for drug-impaired driving shocked so many people. For international fans, understanding his stature helps explain the intensity of the public response.
Lee’s career has spanned over 40 years, and he’s often seen as a mentor to younger comedians. His influence in shaping Korean TV culture is immense, making this incident not just a legal issue but a cultural one as well.

The Incident: A Car Mix-up, a Drug Test, and a Police Investigation

On June 8, 2025, around 2 p.m., Lee Kyung-kyu left a building in Seoul’s Gangnam district and accidentally drove off in someone else’s car—a vehicle identical in model, color, and year to his own. The mix-up happened because a valet handed him the wrong keys. Realizing his bag was missing, Lee returned to the original location, but by then, the car’s actual owner had reported a suspected theft. Police arrived, conducted alcohol and drug tests, and while Lee tested negative for alcohol, a preliminary drug test came back positive for benzodiazepines, a psychoactive substance commonly found in medication for anxiety and panic disorders.
Lee explained that he’d taken prescription medication for panic disorder and a cold, both legally obtained. However, Korean law prohibits driving under the influence of any substance—prescribed or not—if it impairs one’s ability to drive safely.

Prescription Medication and Korean Law: Where’s the Line?

Here’s something many foreign fans might not realize: In Korea, even legally prescribed medication can land you in legal trouble if it affects your driving. The Road Traffic Act is clear—if a substance, regardless of its source, impairs your ability to drive, you’re breaking the law. This includes common anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines, which can show up on drug tests and are known to affect reaction time and alertness.
The police confirmed that Lee’s drug test was positive for these substances, and the National Forensic Service’s detailed analysis backed up the initial result. The debate now centers on whether Lee’s condition at the time truly impaired his driving, and whether he should have refrained from getting behind the wheel after taking his medication.
This legal nuance is a hot topic in Korea, with many arguing that more public education is needed about the risks of driving while medicated.

Community and Media Reactions: Sympathy, Criticism, and Heated Debate

The response on Korean online communities like TheQoo, Nate Pann, Instiz, and DC Inside has been explosive. Some commenters sympathize with Lee, noting that panic disorder is a serious condition and that he’s been open about his struggles for years. Others argue that, regardless of intent, the law must be applied equally. Here are a few representative comments:
Positive: 'He’s been taking those meds for years, it’s not like he was abusing anything.'
Negative: 'If it was anyone else, they’d already be in jail. Celebrities shouldn’t get special treatment.'
Neutral: 'This is a wake-up call for everyone. People need to know that prescription drugs can be dangerous behind the wheel.'
Media coverage has been intense, with major outlets like Chosun Ilbo, Yonhap, and MBC News providing detailed timelines and legal analysis. Many articles highlight the confusion and anxiety this case has caused among both fans and the general public.

Cultural Insight: Medication, Mental Health, and Stigma in Korea

For international readers, it’s important to understand the cultural context. In Korea, mental health issues like panic disorder have only recently started to lose their stigma, and public figures admitting to such struggles is still relatively new. Lee Kyung-kyu has spoken openly about his panic disorder, helping to destigmatize mental health conversations.
However, there’s still a widespread lack of awareness about how prescription medication can affect daily life, especially activities like driving. This incident has sparked national debate about whether the law should be more flexible for people with chronic conditions, or whether strict enforcement is necessary to protect public safety.
Fans abroad might be surprised by how much Korean society expects celebrities to act as role models, and how quickly public opinion can turn when legal or ethical lines are crossed.

What’s Next? Legal Proceedings and the Future of Lee Kyung-kyu

As of June 25, 2025, Lee Kyung-kyu has admitted to driving after taking his prescribed medication and has expressed regret for his lack of awareness about the risks. Police are still investigating, reviewing CCTV and black box footage to determine whether his driving was actually impaired. The outcome will likely set a precedent for similar cases in the future, especially as more Koreans rely on prescription medication for mental health.
Lee’s agency and legal team have emphasized that all his medication was prescribed by licensed professionals and that he was seeking medical help at the time of the incident. The entertainment industry is watching closely, as the case raises questions about how to balance compassion for health issues with the need for public safety.
Whatever the legal outcome, this incident is already prompting wider conversations about mental health, medication, and responsibility—not just in Korea, but among global K-culture fans.