Why did Kim Sae-ron's lawyer claim hardship in life?

'It's true that it's drunk driving, but it's not a lie.'
This is the position of actress Kim Sae-ron, who was sent to trial after causing an accident while driving while intoxicated. Although he reflects on his drunk driving, the controversies that have arisen so far are unfair. The public's reaction to Kim Sae-ron's appeal, "I have never complained about hardships in living," after posting a fake photo of her part-time job at a cafe, was cold.

On the 5th, Criminal Division 4 of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim Sae-ron, who was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving), to a fine of 20 million won. This is exactly what the prosecution requested in the last trial: a fine of 20 million won. At the time, it appears that Kim Sae-ron's lawyer's appeal for hardship in life did not work.

During the trial, Kim Sae-ron's side claimed that Kim Sae-ron was having a hard time working part-time after the drunk driving incident. They complained that they were having financial difficulties due to the huge amount of damage compensation and advertising penalty.

As if to prove it, Kim Sae-ron also posted a photo of herself working at a coffee shop. However, the coffee store in question revealed that it had never officially hired Kim Sae-ron, sparking a 'false hardship controversy'. The lawyer appointed by Kim Sae-ron is also known to be a large firm with sales ranked in the top 10 among domestic law firms. On the 4th, the day before the sentencing, a photo showing Kim Sae-ron playing a game at a Hold'em pub (a bar where you can enjoy card games while drinking) was even released.

Some in the legal community are also analyzing that Kim Sae-ron's 'life hardships' incident was a script. Lawyers specialized in criminal cases have already been hired. In drunk driving cases, guilt or innocence cannot be contested. This is because the evidence is clear that it is the result of a breathalyzer test. The defense attorney's top strategy is to avoid prison time. Kim Sae-ron's drunk driving is punishable by imprisonment for between 2 and 5 years or a fine between 10 million won and 20 million won.

The worst is a prison sentence, and the lesser evil is a suspended sentence. It's best if you can pay the fine. For Kim Sae-ron, who claims to be suffering from hardships, the 'fine' appears to be the harshest on the surface. There is no way the lawyers did not know that alleging hardships while appointing several lawyers from large law firms would not resonate with the public as well as the court. This is why the legal community believes that it was a strategy to receive a fine from the beginning.

Are the standards of ‘living hardship’ that Kim Sae-ron thinks are different from the ‘hardship of living’ that the public thinks of? Regarding the controversy over false hardships, Kim Sae-ron said, "I did not appeal. A very large amount was collected in relation to compensation for damages and penalties. It is true that I am working part-time, and it is also true that the penalties are high. I did not set the standards for hardships." “He said.

He also said that although he regrets drunk driving, "I can't explain anything because articles have come out that are not true. It's scary. There are too many things to point out one by one, so I don't know how to tell you."

In May of last year, Kim Sae-ron was caught by the police after crashing into a transformer while drunk driving on a road in Gangnam, Seoul and running away. Due to Kim Sae-ron's drunk driving accident, nearby stores were unable to do business in the morning.

Kim Sae-ron was caught by the police while fleeing in a broken down vehicle. She refused to take a breathalyzer test at the scene and requested a blood test, so her blood was drawn at a nearby hospital. The blood alcohol content was found to be over 0.2%, which is far above the license cancellation standard.

Kim Sae-ron's sincerity is being questioned, starting with a drunk driving accident, controversy over false financial difficulties, allegations of drinking parties with male BJs, and even a Hold'em pub controversy. This is why his unfairness feels like nothing more than a shallow excuse.

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr