TV Personality Kim Ji-hoon-II Nabbed for Taking Ecstasy

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Singer and TV personality Kim Ji-hoon-II was arrested Wednesday for having allegedly taken several pills of ecstasy and smoked marijuana, according to the Seoul Eastern District Court.

This is the second time he has been arrested on drug charges and Kim has reportedly admitted to all suspicions.

According to Gwangjin Police Station, Kim swallowed several pills of ecstasy, prohibited in Korea, in January at a club in southern Seoul. A former fashion model, whose name was not disclosed, is also suspected to have taken drugs with him, the police said.

Kim was first arrested on the same charges in 2005 but did not receive a jail sentence. The most recent charges have put the career of the former lead singer of pop groups "Two Two" and "Duke" at risk.

He has recently appeared in a series of TV programs portraying himself as a "bad boy husband" character. TV network SBS, which airs the show "Jakiya" (Darling) said it had cut all his scenes for the Friday show.

The case is the latest in a series of celebrity drug scandals. Actor Joo Ji-hoon, fashion model Ye Hak-yeong and actress Yoon Seol-hee were arrested last month for taking ecstasy tablets and injecting ketamine last year.

Joo received a six-month prison term suspended for one year, 120 hours of community service and a 360,000 won fine. Yoon, who was charged with smuggling, received a three-year jail term while Ye received a 30-month jail term suspended for four years, two years of probation and 200 hours of community service.