BIGBANG's Seungri retires from K-pop after being charged over prostitution ring
12 March 2019, 16:38
A member of one of South Korea’s biggest K-pop bands is facing charges for "sexual bribery".
Seungri – who is in one of South Korea's biggest K-Pop bands, BIGBANG – allegedly found prostitutes for businessmen at several nightclubs in Seoul's Gangnam district. He denies the allegations and has now announced he'll retire from the K-Pop music industry, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
Prostitution is illegal in South Korea and the charges against Seungri – born Lee Seung-hyun – carry a jail sentence of up to three years. Police are reportedly also investigating claims that the Burning Sun nightclub, where Seungri was a PR Director, was involved in illegal drug use, sexual assaults and police corruption.
Although he has proclaimed his innocence, shares in his management company, YG Entertainment, dropped by almost 16% and his longtime supporters urged him to quit the band.
Seungri has cancelled the remaining dates in his solo tour and written an emotional Instagram post revealing his plans to leave BIGBANG. "It would be better for me to retire from the entertainment scene at this point," he announced. "As this scandal is too big, I have decided to retire. As for the ongoing investigation, I will take it seriously to clear myself of all the allegations.
"I give my heartfelt, sincere thanks to fans at home and abroad who gave their love for the past 10 years, and I think this should be it for the sake of the reputation of YG and Big Bang."
BIGBANG – who are made up of G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, and Daesung – have sold more than 140 million records since forming in 2006 and are regarded as the "Kings of K-Pop".
The remaining members are currently taking a break too, while three of them carry out their mandatory military service. This includes Seungri, who is due to start his national service on March 25. All South Korean men aged 18-35 must serve in the military – health permitting – for a minimum of 21 months.
