Singer Kim Ho-joong has shared his thoughts with fans and hinted at a return one month after being released on parole.

On the 27th, Kim posted a message titled "To My Beloved Aris" on his official fan café, writing, "The past month since my parole felt as if my time was picking up right where it left off two years ago. I thought a lot about how difficult and lonely it must have been for all of you while I was gone. Thinking about how you steadfastly held your ground, believed in me, and cheered me on through the long wait brings a wave of both gratitude and apology."

Regarding his agency representation, he stated, "I have decided to continue on with the existing staff members who had to go through hardships alongside me because of my past mistakes. Since they are the ones who had to endure difficult times because of me, staying together until the end is an important responsibility I must fulfill, and I believe that is the way I have lived and the way I will continue to live."

Previously, Kim was put on trial after crashing into a taxi on the opposite side of the road while driving under the influence in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on May 9, 2024, and fleeing the scene. During the investigation, it was revealed that his manager had falsely confessed immediately after the accident, and circumstances surrounding a so-called "drinking trick"—attempting to interfere with blood-alcohol concentration measurements by consuming additional alcohol after the crash—sparked public outrage. The court found him guilty of charges including fleeing the scene resulting in injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes, finalizing a prison sentence of two years and six months.

Kim began his prison life at the Seoul Detention Center and was transferred to the Somang Prison in Yeoju in August of last year to serve his sentence. He was released back into society on June 30 after passing the Ministry of Justice's parole review, about five months earlier than his scheduled mandatory release date of November 24.

Photo by Baek Seung-chul

(SBS Star News, reported by Kang Kyung-youn)