BIGBANG’s T.O.P hospitalized for drug overdose

SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) — Popular South Korean singer and actor T.O.P of boy band BIGBANG has been hospitalized for an apparent drug overdose, his Seoul-based agency said Tuesday.

YG Entertainment said the 29-year-old rapper, whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, is currently receiving treatment at an intensive care unit of a Seoul hospital. The agency first reported that Choi was found unconscious, but police later denied that he was in critical condition.

“A medical examination showed Choi had no serious problems and he reacts when people call his name or pinch him,” a police official said. “When he was transferred to the hospital, he wasn’t taken in a stretcher, but was helped by others.”

Police said T.O.P appeared to have overdosed on tranquilizers that he has been taking for medical reasons. He took the pills about 10 p.m. Monday, but couldn’t wake up by noon, which apparently caused others to take him to the hospital.

“Choi isn’t in critical condition, and he is just sleeping right now since the medication he took contains sleeping pill ingredients,” the official said. “Once the effects of the medication weaken after one or two days, he will be fine.”

The incident occurred just a day after he was indicted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana. Seoul prosecutors on Wednesday announced that Choi is suspected of smoking the banned substance four times with a 21-year-old would-be singer, only identified by her surname Han, at his home in Seoul in October last year.

Choi has been serving his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman since February. He had worked at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, but was transfered to a different police corps in eastern Seoul following his indictment.

His military service period will be put on hold until a court reaches a verdict. If he receives a jail term of 18 months or more, he will be dishonorably discharged from the service.

All able-bodied Korean men are required to complete at least 21 months of military service before the age of 35 in South Korea.

The use of marijuana is banned in South Korea and can be punished with a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won (US$44,640).

South Korean singer and actor T.O.P. of boy band BIGBANG, who is serving his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman, leaves his workplace in Seoul surrounded by reporters questioning his marijuana charges on June, 5, 2017. (Yonhap)

kdon@yna.co.kr

10 Comments

1. Belle

   June 6, 2017 at 6:31 PM

   I don’t really see the reason why singers, actors and actresses should be using or abusing illegal substance. Is not being in the limelight enough reason to be high? A lot of people particularly the youth from Do My Essay reviews admires them, they should be good role models.

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   • Beast

     June 6, 2017 at 9:25 PM

     There are obvious mental health issues that are not being addressed. The So. Korean music industry seems very ambivalent to the health and well being of their artist. The use of marijuana is not a big deal in many countries around the world. Why is this treated like the end of the world in So. Korea?
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