Rhythm and blues singer Bobby Kim was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for two years, and fined 5 million won ($4,500), for his inflight misconduct in January that breached aviation safety law.

The Korean-American celebrity came under fire earlier this year for displaying inappropriate behavior on board a Korean Air flight traveling from Incheon to San Francisco on Jan. 7.

Kim, 41, while intoxicated with alcohol, yelled and created a ruckus inflight and forcibly grabbed a 27-year-old female crew member whose phone number he had asked for.

Korean Air filed complaints against him, subjecting him to American and Korean legal authorities. 


Kim acknowledged all charges brought up against him but said that he “cannot remember the specifics (of his wrongdoings) due to being intoxicated at the time.”

Kim said in his plaintiff statement that he was “sorry for creating controversy” and “he has repented as a member of society for his questionable actions.”

“I will redeem myself through leading an upright life,” he said, pleading for a favorable ruling.

The prosecution requested the court to order Kim to take an educational program directed to perpetrators of sexual violence and to publicize Kim’s personal details.

Kim’s lawyer acknowledged Kim’s wrongdoings were highly condemnable considering his high profile, while asking the court to take into account the singer’s having been distressed due to Korean Air’s mishandling of his inflight seat assignment.

Prior to boarding, Kim had requested his economy-class seat to be upgraded to business class, but Korean Air failed to do so by mistake.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)