G-Dragon, BTS, and other K-pop stars deny accusations of drug use
Several South Korean stars and their agencies have released formal statements refuting allegations of drug use.
South Korean media Soompi reported on Friday, Oct. 27 that G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji Yong, has denied previous reports that he was involved with drug-related violations.
“This is Kwon Ji Yong (G-Dragon’s given name). First, there is no truth to the [claim] that I have taken drugs,” he began, as translated by Soompi.
He also vowed to “actively cooperate” with the ongoing police investigations.
“Additionally, I have no relation to the news reports about the violation of the Act on the Control of Narcotics, Etc. that was recently revealed in the media. However, because I know many people are concerned, I will actively cooperate with police investigations and will participate even more diligently,” he added.
This comes two days after the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency reportedly will conduct investigations about him regarding illegal drug use.
On the other hand, other K-pop stars including BTS, LE SSERAFIM’s Kim Chaewon, and (G)I-DLE’s Jeon Soyeon and Park Sun Joo were rumored to be involved in G-Dragon's case. Their agencies and the police, however, immediately refuted such accusations.
“BTS is completely unconnected to the relevant rumor, and [the rumor] is not true in the slightest,” BIGHIT Music stated on Oct. 26. “We will take strong action against the indiscriminate circulation of rumors.”
LE SSERAFIM’s agency Source Music also defended Chaewon, sharing that the K-pop star is currently recovering from flu hence her absence from group activities.
“The rumors about Kim Chaewon are not true at all. Kim Chaewon is recovering from the aftereffects of the flu and is scheduled to resume her activities on Nov. 1,” they wrote.
(G)-IDLE’s agency Cube Entertainment also denied rumors that Jeon Soyeon and Park Sun Joo were also involved.
“The drug rumors are groundless,” they wrote, adding that they will take strong legal actions against false rumors.
The police also reiterated: “The stories about the female singers are misinformation.”
In the past few days, eight South Korean celebrities were reportedly being investigated by the authorities for their suspected drug use.
Parasite actor Lee Sun Kyun was booked in an alleged drug case last Monday. The manager of the entertainment club where Sun Kyun was reportedly known to have frequently visited was also arrested. Sun Kyun accused him of extorting millions of wons by allegedly blackmailing the actor.
The police said in a statement: “While investigating drug-related activities primarily within entertainment establishments in Gangnam, we obtained information that a celebrity is involved in drug use. We are currently conducting an internal investigation involving eight individuals including L, a male actor in his 40s.”
Korean actress Han Seo-hee, who was previously caught in a marijuana scandal with former BIGBANG member T.O.P in 2017, is also being investigated for drug use. Hwang Ha-na, granddaughter of the founder of a large corporation and ex-fiancée of Park Yoo-chun, and others who are not named are also being investigated.