Composer Don Spike Expresses Commitment to Sobriety After Prison Release

Don Spike (김민수), a composer who was sentenced to prison for drug-related charges, has publicly shared his determination to stay sober following his release. On July 24, he appeared on the YouTube political and current affairs talk show 'Jangreuman Yeouido' alongside Nam Kyung-pil, the former governor of Gyeonggi Province, who leads the drug prevention and recovery organization NGU (은구).

Reflecting on his first encounter with drugs, Don Spike revealed, "I started due to peer pressure and curiosity when I was young. Most people think they can control it at first, but at some point, it becomes uncontrollable and ruins your life."

In 2010, he faced legal issues for marijuana use, receiving a fine of 5 million won and a one-year prison sentence with a two-year probation for separate drug charges. In September 2023, he was sentenced to two years in prison for purchasing approximately 45 million won worth of methamphetamine nine times and using it 14 times from December 2021.

He explained that after starting his broadcasting career, he managed to stay away from drugs for a long time. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he fell back into drug use due to stress and alcohol. "I think I became complacent during a vulnerable time," he admitted, discussing how he returned to drugs after his 2010 arrest for marijuana use.

Since his release, Don Spike has been actively working on his sobriety. "It’s been about four months since I got out. I’m living with my family and attending support groups for recovering addicts. We share our stories and offer each other helpful advice," he shared.

He also reflected on his experience, stating, "If I hadn’t been caught, I might have died from using drugs in secret. Drugs are like magnets; I have that experience, so I feel a pull towards them. But I believe I can choose to stay away from them."

Don Spike debuted in 1996 as a guest member of the group Position and gained fame as a producer on MBC's 'I Am a Singer' (나는 가수다). He later became well-known for his appearances in food-related entertainment shows.