G-Dragon Alleged Drug Use Investigation: Are There Any BigBang Members Involved?

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G-Dragon Alleged Drug Use Investigation: Are There Any Bigbang Members Involved?

G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-Yong, is under investigation for alleged illegal drug use, surprising not just the nation of South Korea but his fans worldwide. As this isn’t the first time a BigBang member got dragged into a drug issue, are any other members involved?

Originally a five-member group, BigBang has gotten into different scandals over the years—except for Taeyang, whose biggest news is probably his marriage with Min Hyo-Rin. For once, Seungri got involved in one of the biggest controversies that marred the South Korean industry: the Burning Sun scandal. Daesung then faced a car accident while T.O.P admitted to using marijuana and four charges of drug use.

In G-Dragon’s case, he was initially caught smoking weed in Japan in 2011. Knowing it was illegal in South Korea, it turned into a huge controversy at the time, and though he admitted to doing it, he stressed he didn’t know it was the said substance due to his drunken state. And now, he’s once again facing a drug issue.

G-Dragon Reportedly Booked on Drug Charges

On October 25, several South Korean outlets broke the news about the police reportedly booking G-Dragon on drug charges. According to News1, via Soompi, it happened without detention by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency in violation of the Act on the Control of Narcotics, Etc. However, details about it remain scarce, with the authorities saying it’s “a case currently under investigation.” Hence, they can’t give further information about it.

As G-Dragon isn’t the only South Korean artist who has been investigated due to alleged drug use as of this late, the police cleared his case has nothing to do with that of Lee Sun-Kyun. “This is a separate case that has no connection to Lee,” they said.

So, why was Sun-Kyun’s name dragged into this? According to Asian Junkie, the police got the information about the South Korean rapper from the same bar manager who had Sun-Kyun investigated. Only known as A, this woman is said to be the head of an adult entertainment business in Gangnam—an elite hostess bar.

Celebrities and chaebols, which means owners of big businesses in South Korea, are said to patronize this place often, and only people who can spend millions of wons for one night can visit here.

Are Other BigBang Members Involved in this Drug Issue Aside from G-Dragon?

On October 19, Gyeonggi Shinmun claimed the Incheon Metropolitan Agency’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit was investigating a top actor named L, presumably Sun-Kyun, and seven others on charges of violating the Drugs Control Act. As G-Dragon’s name came out, are any other BigBang members involved?

Chosun claimed that no other celebrities are involved in this drug issue besides the said two artists. But it can’t be denied that this issue has greatly affected other artists in this business, resulting in rumors that some of the big names in the music scene are also involved, like BTS, Le Seraphim’s Kim Chae-Won, and (G)I-DLE’s Jeon Soyeon.

Big Hit Entertainment has already broken its silence about it, saying, via Soompi, that BTS had nothing to do with these malicious claims and the rumors weren’t even “true in the slightest.”

Source Music also denied the claims about the Le Seraphim member, stressing the rumors aren’t true at all. Chae-Won is on a break due to type A influenza and will resume promotions in November. Alternatively, Cube Entertainment said the drug rumors about Soyeon are “groundless.”

That said, no other BigBang members are involved in this drug issue.

G-Dragon Breaks Silence on Drug Use Investigation

Two days after the drug use allegations, G-Dragon finally broke his silence—a rare time he did so and with a legal counsel instead through a label. The King of K-pop’s attorney released an official statement to address the claims, denying the reports that he’s using drugs. But despite claiming he’s innocent about it, he promised to cooperate with the investigation willingly.

“This is Kwon Ji Yong [G-Dragon’s given name]. First, there is no truth to the [claim] that I have taken drugs. Additionally, I have no relation to the news reports about the Act on the Control of Narcotics, Etc. violation that was recently revealed in the media. However, because I know many people are concerned, I will actively cooperate with police investigations and participate even more diligently.”

YG Entertainment also addressed the claim. However, as G-Dragon’s exclusive contract with the company had already expired and had yet to be renewed, the label said it was difficult to release an official statement as the artist wasn’t under its agency.

The Reactions to G-Dragon Drug Use Investigation

As soon as G-Dragon’s name has been linked to illegal drug use, a lot of fans have shown their support for the K-pop giant. Of course, the reactions are divided, and some believe in it.

The hashtag #WeStandWithDragon can be seen everywhere on X (formerly Twitter), and the phrase “Stay Strong G-Dragon” is often used. The fan page @gdragonintl even revealed that the artist himself likes its posters, claiming he knows his fans are on his side.

“If there’s a day that you need to be louder than ever. This is the day to do it. Let’s shout our support and let him know that he will never be alone in this fight,” it shares in another post.

@boburi even advises the singer-songwriter to do well in the investigation and prove to everyone that they’re wrong about him. Another even asks him to come to France, where many people love and support him.

@stass_yb then questions YG Entertainment for quickly distancing itself from G-Dragon amid the drug investigation. “You said you have an ad contract with him months ago but your the first ones to dip out. We will never forget… and yes i hope that line goes straight down to hell @ygent_official,” the user writes.

Alternatively, @cheolhaggyosil said that celebrities should be very wary of taking drugs. Though the netizen didn’t accuse G-Dragon of using it, it claimed that celebrities administering had great impact on adolescents and other people.

“Drugs are terrible to use. Stay away from drugs as far as possible! don’t touch it. I dislike G-Dragon,” another says.

Most reactions to G-Dragon’s alleged drug use come from his supporters, proving many still believe his innocence. As the support comes from fans all over the world, this shows that he has his global fanbase backing him up in this new fight of his life.

The Effect of G-Dragon and Lee Sun-Kyun’s Drug Probe

The drug investigation surrounding G-Dragon and Sun-Kyun has not only tainted their images and careers but has also affected the South Korean industry. Even the innocents who have nothing to do with it has been dragged into this issue, thanks to the rampant rumors that spread concern about this widening investigation.

According to Bloomberg, K-pop stocks began to drop, with Hybe Co., BTS’s music label, reporting a 12% decline. SM Entertainment Co., YG Entertainment Inc., and JYP Entertainment all see a seven percent sink each.

Evidently, South Korean content, from TV series to films to music, has taken the world by storm. Hence, many look highly at these South Korean artists, making these drug issues a huge shock for fans. Sure, drug use may be common in other countries, especially among celebrities, but in a conservative South Korea, this is just unacceptable. It’s also a big issue that needs to be addressed and reprimanded.

Sadly, despite the number of celebrities who have faced this issue in the past and have been indicted for it, losing their successful careers in the process, many are still doing it, seemingly unafraid of losing everything they have worked hard for.

South Korea has a very strict policy when it comes to drug use and tough legislation on illegal substances. Even if its citizens take it overseas, they will still face prosecution when they return to their home country. So, it’s no surprise that South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol called for more stringent measures to eliminate drug traffickers, admitting their nation is no longer “drug-free.”

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