B.I indicted in drug abuse case, YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk charged with threatening witness
Right after B.I's much-praised comeback with 'Waterfall', the former YG Entertainment singer is in the headlines regarding his 2019 drug controversy, wherein he was accused of purchasing marijuana and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) from an acquaintance and using it in 2016. According to reports on June 7, B.I was indicted for violating the Act on the Control of Narcotics on May 28.
Former CEO and founder of YG Entertainment Yang Hyun Suk has also been indicted in the case for threatening a witness. According to Korean media reports, the violent crimes department of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office has called both B.I and Yang Hyun Suk for a hearing in June end and July. Read on to know all about the drug scandal that almost ended the 'illa illa' crooner's career in K-pop.
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Former CEO and founder of YG Ent Yang Hyun Suk indicted
One of the witnesses in the drug scandal, anonymously called as 'A', has changed their stance regarding the case sharing that they was threatened before by YG Entertainment founder. 'A' noted that the case was covered up because of ties between police and YG Entertainment. The witness also claimed that the singer was not properly investigated even after having 'evidence' against him.
Did Hanbin admit to the allegations?
After the allegations were brought against former iKON singer Kim Hanbin, he was called for questioning where he allegedly admitted to some of the allegations. According to a Soompi report, the witness reported the case to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in June 2019 from where it was shifted to the Suwon District Prosecutors’ office in April 2020. And then, the case reached the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, where it was investigated for a year.
While Hanbin tested negative for the drug test carried out in February 2020, based on the investigation held by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, he will be called for a hearing on July 9. Yang Hyun Suk has been called on June 25. The YG Entertainment creator has been accused of trying to cover up the case. He has denied all the allegations so far.
Kim Hanbin exited YG Entertainment on June 12, 2019, when the allegations were first brought against him. He stated that he talked about the drug purchase but never went on with it. "It is true that I wanted to rely on something that I shouldn't have had any interest in due to going through a hard and painful time. However, I was too scared and fearful to do it."
Later on the same day, police stated, "We will initiate contact with "A," who shared KakaoTalk messages with B.I regarding drug purchases, and if there are any changes in the testimony given by ‘A,' we will look into reopening the investigation."
Fans have rallied behind the K-pop star after the news surfaced. A fan posted, "Hanbin literally just started to move on and further his career and yet again another obstacle has been set up for him to try and leap over I can only think that at this point they are clutching at straws and really just want him completely removed from the industry it’s Bullshit!" Another outraged fan said, "Leave him alone!! He’s just trying to make a career for himself!"
Hanbin literally just started to move on and further his career and yet again another obstacle has been set up for him to try and leap over I can only think that at this point they are clutching at straws and really just want him completely removed from the industry it’s Bullshit
— Sweetiekan coral (@sweetiekan) June 7, 2021
Leave him alone!! He’s just trying to make a career for himself
— YUGYEOM Point of View: U🌼🎀 (@GOT7SF9DAY6) June 7, 2021
B.I recently released his comeback album 'Waterfall', with the lead single 'illa illa' already snagging over 17 million YouTube views within six days of release. Stream the single here.