As the entertainment industry is shaken by the drug scandal that began with actor Lee Sun-kyun's (48) arrest, familiar names are once again coming to the fore, drawing attention.
Lee Sun-kyun is under suspicion of using drugs several times this year at entertainment venues and residences in Seoul's Gangnam district. Last month, the police, upon receiving a tip that drugs were being distributed at a Gangnam entertainment venue, unearthed information related to Lee Sun-kyun during their investigation.
At the time when the issue surfaced, Lee Sun-kyun was merely one of those being internally investigated. However, on the 23rd, the Incheon Police Department's drug crime investigation unit officially charged Lee Sun-kyun for violating the drug control law, altering his status to a suspect.
Internal investigation is a step before the formal investigation process to ascertain if someone becomes the target of a full-fledged probe. Observations suggest that the police have successfully obtained evidence proving that Lee Sun-kyun consumed drugs. It is reported that Lee Sun-kyun consumed marijuana, among other drugs.
Including Lee Sun-kyun, around 8 individuals are under similar suspicion. Two entertainment venue workers were also arrested. Moreover, five people associated with the scandal are still under internal investigation.
Among the five under investigation, some have consistently been involved in past drug scandals.
Prominent names include Park Yoo-chun, a singer and actor from the group JYJ and heir to a conglomerate, and Hwang Ha-na, who had previously divorced Park.
Hwang Ha-na has a criminal record for drug offenses. In 2015, she was indicted for using Philopon in her Seoul residence, received a suspended sentence, but was later imprisoned for 1 year and 8 months for using drugs again. After release, she appeared on a KBS current affairs program, expressing her desire to help drug addicts. Her name emerged during the investigation of another individual connected to this case, though the specifics of her involvement are yet to be clarified.
Han Seo-hee, a former idol trainee, is also implicated in this drug wave. Han Seo-hee was previously involved in scandals with TOP from the group BIGBANG and B.I from the group iKON. She claimed that YG Entertainment's chief producer, Yang Hyun-suk, intimidated her to cover up B.I's drug allegations, leading to an ongoing trial for four years.
Alongside the investigation into Han Seo-hee, a probe into a composer in his 30s, known as Mr. A, who is reportedly close to Han, has also begun. Mr. A had appeared on a variety show in 2009 and gained attention for resembling a famous actor. He also has multiple drug-related offenses and is currently detained on charges of using Philopon.
The recurrence of individuals who have repeatedly been entangled in drug scandals is putting the entertainment industry on thin ice. With the departure of top-tier star Lee Sun-kyun, broadcasting, film, and advertising sectors are inevitably affected, with other celebrities on edge, fearing their names could emerge next.
Meanwhile, Lee Sun-kyun recently alleged, through his lawyer, that he was blackmailed in connection with the drug case and lost hundreds of millions of won. He has filed a lawsuit against the culprits on charges of extortion.
