[Photograph by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]
SEOUL -- Calling himself a "public enemy," Seungri, a scandal-stricken BIGBANG member, declared his surprise retirement to save the honor of his agency and group members from an intensive investigation into alleged wrongdoings such as drug circulation and sexual offerings for business favors.
"It would be better to retire from the entertainment industry at this point," the 29-year-old singer and businessman said in a post on his Instagram that shocked the entertainment community. "The issue that caused social controversy was so great that I decided to leave the entertainment industry."
He said he made up his mind to save the honor of YG Entertainment and BIGBANG because he has been the focal point of pubic criticism and anger for a month.
"At a time when I'm being pushed and branded as a national traitor, with every investigative body targeting me, I can not afford to let myself live
while damaging all around me," Seungri said, thanking fans for loving him for 10 years. "I am sorry and I am sorry again. Thank you, everyone."
Controversies surrounding the singer were sparked by a story reported by a South Korean broadcaster in January. A 28-year-old man claimed that he was brutally beaten by the employees of Burning Sun, a music and dance club associated with Seungri.
The man also claimed that he was mistreated by police officers and was detained in a nearby police station without receiving proper medical treatment for several hours. In early February, Seungri apologized during his solo concert in Seoul for causing trouble and resigned from management of the club.
Seungri was plagued by fresh reports on February 26 that the singer is suspected of having been involved in escort services for foreign investors in 2015. An edited log from his smartphone messenger dialogue showed Seungri giving orders to prepare women for two Taiwanese men.
Seungri insisted the messenger log was fabricated and denied any wrongdoing. To quell allegations, he showed up at a police agency in Seoul on February 27 to receive a drug test and an eight-hours-long interrogation. Last week, Seungri said he would join a military boot camp to start his mandatory military service on March 25.
However, National Police Agency Commissioner General Min Gap-ryong expressed his determination to continue an investigation even after the singer enlisted. "We will use every means possible to clear suspicions," Min said.
To complete Seungri's misfortune, the online media that revealed Seungri's messenger conversation disclosed another messenger log on Monday that included Seungri and seven other men. Two unidentified male singers were seen sharing sex video and image files, which were allegedly filmed secretly at a club.
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