Along with Lee Sun-kyun, who gained worldwide popularity after appearing in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," directed by Bong Joon-ho in 2019, G-Dragon was put under a drug investigation on suspicion of illegal drug use in early November. Unlike Lee, who apologized for causing public concern, G-Dragon strongly denied the use of drugs through a press conference. After a series of tests, the police admitted that G-Dragon faced no charges and officially closed the case.
The drug scandal was first sparked in October by a testimony from a 29-year-old adult entertainment bar hostess who claimed that Lee and G-Dragon used drugs including marijuana at the private bar. A total of ten celebrities underwent investigation. Cyberbullies created online content using past interview videos and news footage about the singer and claimed his body movements showed signs of drug addiction.
The private adult entertainment bar is located in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam, famous for rapper Psy's 2012 global hit song "Gangnam Style." It is not unusual for South Korean celebrities to hang out in private adult entertainment bars because of privacy. The private drinking clubs separate guests in enclosed bar rooms tended by dedicated waiters. However, when the police couldn't find any links to G-Dragon's use of drugs, this led to a social backlash. Critics said the investigators pursued drug investigations solely based on the testimony of the hostess under investigation for the same accusation.
At a press conference held in Seoul on December 21, Galaxy Corporation, the singer's agency, said that there would be mercy for people who delete or correct malicious online comments about G-Dragon. For those who do not, legal action will be taken. A deadline of one week was given. "Please delete and correct all posts that defame Kwon Ji-yong, including malicious comments and false information on the Internet," said the company's director Cho Seong-hae. He added that G-Dragon will make his comeback in 2024. The artist will also set up a foundation to raise awareness about drug use.
The K-pop artist will also make his comeback in 2024. According to Cho, the agency aims to showcase aspects of G-Dragon other than what he has shown so far. The celebrity ended his contract with his former agency YG Entertainment in June 2023.
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