South Korea's entertainment scene was engulfed in terror and shock in late October after law enforcers booked the 48-year-old actor who starred in the globally-popular 2019 film "Parasite", and the 35-year-old singer after police obtained evidence that the two stars used drugs including marijuana.
The Hallyu (Korean cultural wave) stars were investigated to be members of a private adult entertainment bar located in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam, famous for rapper Psy's 2012 global hit song "Gangnam Style."
A National Police Agency official said during a regular briefing on October 30 that no other celebrities are being investigated for illegal use of drugs. Currently, a total of five people including Lee and G-Dragon are booked on suspicion of using drugs.
Lee was summoned by the drug investigation team at the Incheon Police Agency in the western port city of Incheon on October 29. The police carried out a simple drug inspection using Lee's hair and urine samples and the results were negative. The police explained that the simple test is designed to see if a person has used drugs during the last five to ten days. The samples were delivered to the National Forensic Service for a thorough examination.
"I have handed my phone over to investigators. They said that I would be summoned for an investigation soon. I will sincerely cooperate with authorities," Lee said after the initial investigation at the Incheon Police Agency.
Meanwhile, South Korean online media outlet "The Freedom and Life" reported on October 26, that some members of BTS, who have not yet enlisted, were also frequent visitors of the private bar along with Lee and G-Dragon. Currently, four BTS members -- Jimin, V, Jungkook, and RM -- have not yet started their mandatory military service.
Big Hit denied the media report, saying that members of the seven-member band had nothing to do with the groundless rumors. "BTS is unrelated to the rumors, and it is totally untrue. We will take strong action against irresponsible acts of spreading rumors," a Big Hit official told Aju Korea Daily on October 27.
G-Dragon also denied rumors that claimed the singer used drugs. The singer said in a statement on October 27: "It is not true that I have used any kinds of drugs." G-Dragon claimed that he is not related to any media reports that claimed the singer violated laws regarding the illegal use of drugs.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
