BTS, one of the world's most popular K-pop groups, and their agency HYBE have found themselves entangled in the ongoing drug case in the Korean entertainment industry.
HYBE released a fresh statement addressing reports that BTS members were frequently visiting establishments allegedly connected to drug use cases involving individuals like Lee Sun Kyun and BIGBANG's G-Dragon.
In a swift response, HYBE firmly denied any connection between BTS members and the mentioned establishments, stating that the rumours circulating about their artists were entirely untrue.
The statement clarified that the BTS members did not know the said establishment and had never visited it.
As per a Soompi report, HYBE stated, “The rumours that are circulating about our artist and a specific location are not true at all.”
“The BTS members do not know the establishment in question, and they have never been there. We are responding to the spreading of falsehoods and the defamation of [our artist’s] character with a no-tolerance policy, and we are taking both civil and criminal legal action,” it added.
It also mentioned, “We have already begun taking legal action against groundless falsehoods about our artist.”
The controversy stemmed from a YouTube video posted by the Garo Sero Institute, alleging that two BTS members frequented the establishment in question, which was supposedly associated with drug-related cases involving G-Dragon and Lee Sun Kyun.
Prior to this, BTS' agency had already made it clear that the group had no involvement in the ongoing drug scandal and promised strong actions against false information and rumours. They stated that BTS had no connection to the relevant rumours and would take decisive measures against the indiscriminate spread of such allegations.
In the ongoing developments, Lee Sun Kyun, a prominent actor known for his role in the movie "Parasite," recently appeared before the police for an investigation. Reports suggest that he underwent a drug test, which yielded a negative result. Additional tests are reportedly scheduled.
Koreaboo quoted the Parasite actor saying, “I have submitted my handphone today, and I have faithfully acquiesced to the requests that were required for the next formal investigation. They said that they would call me soon for the next investigation, and I will diligently answer that too. I’m so sorry for disappointing everyone who had been supporting me.”
G-Dragon, another high-profile figure facing drug-related allegations, had previously denied drug use in an official statement.