Jiyoonmi Apologizes for Using Cell Phone While Driving: "It Was Foolish... I Will Drive Safely from Now On"

Photo by Ji Yoon-mi Instagram

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Model and actress Ji Yoon-mi (25) apologized for using her mobile phone while driving, saying, "I am sorry for causing a negative influence."

On the 20th, Ji Yoon-mi posted on her Instagram, "A few days ago, I posted a video on social networking services (SNS) showing me driving with one hand while looking at navigation on a friend's phone, and I am sorry for causing you all a lot of concern. I have learned a lot from this."

Ji Yoon-mi said, "At first, I thought lightly of it. When I saw the comments on the video, rather than acknowledging my mistake, I tried to justify holding my phone while driving because I needed to look at the navigation and because there were no cars around. I sincerely apologize for that behavior."

She added, "Seeing myself rush to explain the situation rather than admit my fault, my family, friends, and acquaintances gave me many pieces of advice and teachings such as, 'You could get into serious trouble,' 'Even if it’s you, what if someone else gets hurt because you looked away for a moment?'"

She continued, "Fortunately, I have been driving without any major accidents, so I foolishly became complacent while driving. From now on, I will drive safely to protect both others and myself," reflecting on her actions.

She also said, "Taking this incident as an opportunity, I watched safe driving educational videos provided by YouTube and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority to accurately understand the parts I was ignorant about. I learned a lot about what to observe while driving and the violations on the road."

Ji Yoon-mi promised, "I pledge to make safe driving a habit from now on. I am truly sorry for showing you a bad example and causing a negative influence."

Earlier, on the 19th, Ji Yoon-mi sparked controversy by posting a video showing her driving with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a mobile phone inside a moving car.

When some netizens pointed out her use of a phone while driving, Ji Yoon-mi explained, "It was on a Namyangju road with no cars ahead. If there were cars in front or the surroundings were complicated and I had to drive, I think it would be dangerous to drive so casually."

Below is the full apology statement from Ji Yoon-mi

[Reflection]

Hello, this is Ji Yoon-mi.

A few days ago, I posted a video on SNS showing me driving with one hand while looking at navigation on a friend's phone, causing you all a lot of concern and a negative influence. I am truly sorry and have learned a lot.

At first, I thought lightly of it. When I saw the comments on the video, rather than acknowledging my mistake, I tried to justify holding my phone while driving because I needed to look at the navigation and because there were no cars around. I sincerely apologize for that behavior.

Seeing myself rush to explain the situation rather than admit my fault, my family, friends, and acquaintances gave me many pieces of advice and teachings such as, "You could get into serious trouble," "Even if it’s you, what if someone else gets hurt because you looked away for a moment?" and "When driving, keep your eyes on the road, don’t think about anything else, just drive properly."

About two years ago, I nervously obtained my driver’s license and started driving on the road. Fortunately, I have been driving without any major accidents, so I foolishly became complacent while driving.

From now on, I will drive safely to protect both others and myself. I have sincerely realized and understood how much responsibility it takes to drive myself.

Taking this incident as an opportunity, I watched safe driving educational videos and black box accident videos provided by YouTube and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. I realized how scary accidents are and how quickly they can happen. I also learned a lot about what to observe while driving and the violations on the road.

I think this information will be very helpful to anyone curious about traffic laws or safe driving.

I will return to my original mindset and always drive carefully, nervously, and seriously as I did when I was a beginner driver.

I promise to make safe driving a habit from now on. I am truly sorry for showing you a bad example and causing a negative influence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.