Just to put it into perspective– He is the celebrity for all celebrities. The biggest boyband in the world, BTS, considered him as their role model.
Even in this generation, Rookie idols channel their aura in the performance. Luxury brands are under his helm for being their ambassador. The Korean entertainment industry worships him. He sells out arenas in seconds. And his talent is a revolution in the Korean music industry.
And the man of the hour is none other than G-Dragon– the man who walked so that the K-pop industry could run. But today, the K-pop legend has landed in trouble with the law.
On October 25, 2023, Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency booked Kwon Ji Young, widely known as Bigbang’s member G-Dragon. He is under investigation on the charge of violating the Act on the Control of Narcotics.
The police have refused to divulge any further details on his arrest, citing the preliminary investigation stage.
BIGBANG’s G-Dragon Drug Allegations Explained
Bigbang, the second-generation king of K-pop, is gradually coming out of hibernation after a myriad of controversies loomed over the iconic boyband.
The band’s reputation was under microscopic scrutiny after Lee Seungri, Bigbang’s youngest member, was embroiled in the biggest scandal in Korea. The Burning Sun scandal uncovered the darkest side of the night clubs, involving human trafficking, exploiting underage girls, drugs, and entertaining foreign clients.
Seungri was subjected to immense backlash and criticism while being blamed for ruining Bigbang’s global image. Although he was sentenced to 3 years in prison, he served less than a quarter of his period. This added fuel to the controversy for Seungri getting special treatment.
Although this was not the first time that Bigbang was in hot legal waters. The band’s lead rapper, T.O.P., was also arrested for marijuana usage. He went on a hiatus to reflect on this, but fans believe that the rapper was under immense stress and was taking recreational drugs.
In 2011, G-Dragon was under speculation for drug abuse as he was seen taking one puff at an after-party in Japan.
Cut to the present, G-Dragon is again under fire for alleged drug usage. On October 25, News 1 reported that the global sensation had been booked for possession of drugs. However, the Incheon police have yet to disclose any details of the evidence and on what grounds he was arrested.
As a result, Bigbang’s fans, called VIPs, started an online campaign to condemn this arrest and question the authorities. Within 24 hours, #WeStandWithGDragon and “Stay Strong G-Dragon” were trending on X in support of Kwon Jiyoung. Fans flooded the feed with countless words, corroborating his innocence.
How Strict Are Drug Laws in Korea?
Consuming, possessing, distributing, and trafficking drugs in Korea is considered a far worse crime than any other social evil. Per South Korean law, citizens are prohibited from using drugs in Korea and even when they are abroad.
Currently, violation of drug laws is punishable by around 14 years in prison for repeat offenders and dealers. Some laws are as extreme as punishable by death for high-level cases, although the death penalty hasn’t been carried out in Korea since 1997.
The sentence is not as harsh for first-time offenders and may also dilute to just 30-40 hours of mandatory community service.
However, the individual’s reputation is tarnished considerably, and several celebrities have lost on project and brand endorsements.
Chanel, who collaborated with G-Dragon, issued a statement after the news broke out that the brand was aware of the ongoing investigations.
Just a week earlier, the top Korean actor of Parasite fame, Lee Sun Gyun, was also involved in a drug investigation. The two cases are unrelated, but the police are carrying out the investigation simultaneously.
What is your verdict on this case? Do you think these allegations hold any truth? Is this a cover-up, or is G-Dragon actually involved in drug usage?
Let us know in the comments section below.
