South Korea’s stern drug laws considerably reduced substance abuse during the mid-90s, but at the same time, it also incentivized an illegal drug ring throughout the nation. Obtaining drugs became a million-dollar market in itself with the rise of dealers and middlemen.
If that wasn’t enough, the elite crowd is flying overseas just to get some of that sugar. Although several countries have loosened their grip on recreational drugs, South Korea has maintained a uniform law on all drugs. Thus, drug usage is a massive stigma among Koreans.
Yoo Ah In, a prominent Korean actor, was arrested for substance abuse. But that was not the main highlight of the headline. What dominated the news circuit was a bystander throwing a drink at the “Burning” actor for apparent drug use.
People treat those who are charged with drugs as the pinnacle of crime as opposed to more severe crimes, specifically involving female victims. Hence, most celebrities maintain caution in their image and try their best not to get involved in false claims. Even then, a few celebrities are trapped in the cobweb of speculations.
On October 19, 2023, actor Lee Sun Gyun was suspected of drug use. Then, a week later, on October 25, 2023, G-Dragon from BIGBANG was apprehended at Incheon airport for alleged drug use. Both celebrities were investigated in an unrelated probe, but both were tested negative on drugs in their system. According to a high-ranking official, the investigation will continue until a conclusion is reached, which involves looking into a few more details. Hence, the celebrities are still not-in-clear even if they tested negative for drugs.
Lee Sun Gyun and G-Dragon Still Under Police Investigating Even After Negative Drug Tests
Lee Sun Gyun walked International red carpets in 2019 when he was the star of the Academy Award-winning movie Parasite.
G-Dragon from BIGBANG is the celebrity of all celebrities who ruled over the K-Pop world for over a decade. And now, both are under the worst scrutiny for substance abuse allegations.
Both the A-List celebrities were placed under a simultaneous investigation but in unrelated circumstances. After the preliminary investigation, Sun Gyun and G-Dragon were tested for drugs in their system. The clear inference was that both tested negative on the test, implying that they did not use drugs in recent times.
Fans breathed a sigh of relief, believing that their idols would cleared of all charges, but the narrative took an unexpected turn. The investigation is still ongoing, and the two celebrities have not yet been exonerated.
During a recent press conference, a high-ranking official from the National Police Agency updated on the status of G-Dragon’s investigation, stating–
“I think all possibilities are open until a conclusion is reached. There are some additional details that need to be investigated.”
The officer further elaborated on why the investigation will be continued even after G-Dragon tested negative for drugs–
“If it is clear that drug use is evident in various circumstances, it is not right to send the case to indictment because it is negative. The conclusion is yet to be seen.”
On November 27, the Incheon Police Agency’s drug crime investigation unit reached a verdict that the travel ban on G-Dragon be lifted. G-Dragon’s ex-member Seungri was recently condemned by netizens for partying in clubs even though he was involved in a massive scandal. Read here for the entire Buring Sun scandal.
Meanwhile, Lee Sun Gyun’s legal team has submitted a request to absolve the international travel ban to the Ministry of Justice.
What is your verdict on this case? Do you think that both actors are innocent in this case?
Do you think it’s fair to keep the investigation going even if they tested negative? Let us know in the comments section below.
