K-Pop rapper MC Mong (real name Shin Dong-hyun) clarified about the rumor that he implicitly criticized the group Big Bang's former member T.O.P. in his new song, "Fame".
The rapper wrote on his SNS on November 1, "I've never despised T.O.P. and he is a very dear brother. He may be enduring, but I'll tell you that 'Fame' is not a song that I wrote thinking about him."
MC Mong released his 8th album 'CHANNEL8' on October 25, and became the number one with his title song, 'Fame'. Many netizens speculated as the lyrics included saying, 'First, your character must be clear. If you act in immaturity, you will fail. Your fame is like beer bubble. A small mistake is like a bait. Be humble before you become like me." They argued that the lyrics must be pointing at T.O.P.
T.O.P debuted as a member of the group BIGBANG and enjoyed popularity both at home and abroad. But in February 2017, he was found guilty of using marijuana while he was in mandatory military service as a police officer of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency band. He was sentenced to jail with two-year probation as well as a penalty of 12,000 won. After being stripped of police officer status, he was converted to a social worker (formerly a public service worker) and was called off on July 16 this year.
MC Mong explained regarding suspicions of avoiding military service. He said, "I have never deliberately extracted my teeth. I removed ones only with roots left." He insisted that there was no way to go into the army as he was innocent. "I am not an evader having somebody who supports me as the court judged. I am a mere weak exempted one," added the rapper. "I don't intend to sue anyone. I deserve to be blamed. However, please stop talking about things that don't exist."
MC Mong was caught in suspicion of deliberately removing his molars in order not to go to the army in 2010. The Supreme Court ruled that the MC Mong is not guilty of alleged evasion of military service in 2012. However, MC Mong was sentenced to six months in prison, one year in probation, and 120 hours of community service for suspending the duty of military service by taking two public service exams.
Since then, MC Mong has continued its music activities by releasing albums in 2014 and 2016. He is still viewed with criticism of the public.
The following is the full text of MC Mong SNS:
I should have posted it through Instagram humbly. I never despised T.O.P and he was my dear brother. He must be enduring well, but I will remind you that 'Fame' is not a song I wrote about T.O.P. It's just a story of my mistake. Taeyeon is a junior whom I always cheer and respect. Although I was sad when he became the first, I also felt free. The first place is still heavy for me and his win was rather good to me. I cheered and listened to his song.
But who would not be pleased if their song was first? And I never hired a huge law firm called Kim & Jang. I have never deliberately extracted my healthy teeth. I extracted teeth with only roots left. I humbly stepped back and did music. I threw everything away, so I thought I'd live. I only listened to the music. I could enlist before I became 36 years old? The law office could have sent me to the army? No. The waiver could not go anywhere again. Nobody tried to save me. I am not an evader having somebody who supports me as the court judged. I am a mere weak exempted one. I don't intend to sue anyone. I deserve to be blamed. However, please stop talking about things that don't exist. I don't have plans to sue anyone, even after I die.
