From being sentenced by a court to having their driver's license revoked, these 8 South Korean celebrities have been in trouble with the law during 2021. Who are they? Let's see more in the article below.
Many events occurred in the South Korean entertainment industry throughout 2021. Apart from bullying scandals and the skyrocketing popularity of a number of artists, there are still several legal cases that are rolling against celebrities this year.
Although there are cases that have been brought to the surface in a matter of years, several artists have only been sentenced after pacing in court this year. Cases that are familiar to celebrities include those involving drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol, and/or breach of contract.
Some of the new celebs dealing with the law for the first time, but there are also those who have not been deterred many times. If some are sent to prison, others are on probation. One of them even claimed that he was accused without reason.
In this regard, the WowKeren team has summarized which artists are in trouble with the law this year. Curious? Just read the full article.
1. Ilhoon Ex BTOB
Rolling since December 2020, the verdict regarding the case of Ilhoon, a former BTOB member, was only released in November 2021. Previously, the owner of Jung Ilhoon's real name was investigated for possession and use of marijuana. In fact, he has been declared out of the group since the case was revealed.
At a follow-up hearing, prosecutors demanded that Ilhoon receive a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 126.6 million won (Rp 1.5 billion). On the same occasion, the former rapper in the Cube Entertainment group read a statement containing regret while crying.
Meanwhile, it is said that Ilhoon submitted 87 statements of repentance since the appeal trial began. Ilhoon himself registered as a public service worker in May 2020 and left BTOB in December 2020 after his case was revealed.
2. Seungri Ex BIG BANG
After a long time, Seungri finally received a verdict for the case related to the Burning Sun scandal that was revealed in 2019. The scandal dragged many names, including celebrities. In addition to undergoing the legal process, Seungri also stated that he was retiring from the entertainment world and leaving BIG BANG, which had already made his name.
Seungri was indicted for various cases including prostitution service provider, embezzlement of business funds and income, attempted destruction of evidence, distribution of illegal film content, illegal recording of content, illegal gambling, and violation of the food sanitation law. Although initially denied, he was sentenced to five years in prison along with a fine of 20 million won (Rp 257 million).
As of August 12, 2021, Seungri has been legally detained after being sentenced to three years in prison on charges of providing prostitution services. The owner of the real name Lee Seung Hyun has filed an appeal through the military appeal court. As is known, he entered the military shortly after his case was discovered by the public.
3. Lizzy Ex After School
Last May, Lizzy, a former After School member, got into legal trouble after being caught driving under the influence of alcohol. As a result, the owner's driving license, whose real name is Park Soo Young, was revoked.
Lizzy hit a taxi while driving in the Cheongdam neighborhood of Gangnam district, Seoul May 18, 2021 at 22:00 local time. After being tested, it was proven that his blood alcohol level was more than 0.08 percent, so he was sentenced to 1 year in prison.
Even though he has made peace with the victims, the minor injuries he suffered were a burden for Lizzy's accusations. However, the court has already imposed a penalty of 15 million won (Rp 181 million) as a punishment. Not filing an appeal, the former member of Orange Caramel said he was sorry and deterred for his actions.
4. B.I Ex iKON
Shortly after releasing a solo album, B.I's old case resurfaced. The owner's real name Kim Hanbin was indicted by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on May 28 for violating the illegal drug control law.
B.I was charged with buying and giving marijuana and LSD from Han Seo Hee in 2016. In 2020, B.I was declared negative for drugs but the case was still ongoing and was transferred to the prosecutor's office for pleading guilty in 2019.
The case of the former iKON leader also dragged Yang Hyun Suk who was suspected of covering up B.I's drug use. Prosecutors previously demanded 3 years in prison and a fine of 1.5 million won (Rp 18.2 million).
However it was decided that B.I is serving four years of probation, with 3 years in prison if he violates the terms of probation in violation of the Narcotics Control Act. In addition, he still has to pay a fine of 1.5 million KRW (Rp 18.2 million).
5. NO:EL
Rapper NO:EL (Noel), graduated from "Show Me The Money" Season 6 or "SMTM 6" adds to his controversial list after being involved in an accident with another car. After the accident occurred in the Banpo area, Sangcho, Seoul, NO:EL refused to cooperate with the police.
NO:EL was arrested on charges of complying with the awareness test procedure and assaulting the police on duty. The owner, whose real name is Jang Yong Joon, is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and even hitting officers when asked for identity verification.
This news immediately became the spotlight because of the status of NO:EL which incidentally is the son of an official. Previously, the rapper had been entangled in controversy due to allegations of involvement in prostitution and underage drinking. So he was disqualified from the Mnet program "High School Rapper" in 2017.
6. Lee Kyu Han
Had shocked the public after withdrawing from the two dramas "Again My Life" and "Green Mothers Chlub" simultaneously, news emerged that Lee Kyu Han was involved in a legal case. The 41-year-old actor is reported to have physically assaulted after getting into an argument in Gangnam in August 2020.
On Monday (8/12), the Seoul Gangnam Police Department stated that Lee Kyu Han's file had been submitted to the prosecutor's office last November 2. The police admitted that this case took a lot of time due to the lack of evidence and no CCTV around the crime scene.
On the same day, Lee Kyu Han has denied the accusations through a post on his personal Instagram account. At that time, the actor reported that he had an anxiety disorder so he could not respond to reporters' calls and promised to provide clarification personally if the truth was proven. Previously, Lee Kyu Han also deleted all posts on Instagram.
7. Han Seo Hee
Former YG Entertainment trainee Han Seo Hee was sentenced to one year and six months in prison last November. The Suwon District Court issued this ruling after he was judged to be at risk of running away.
Along with the sentencing statement, the court shared a report regarding Han Seo Hee's remarks about the positive drug test result. Han Seo Hee tried to dodge by saying that her paper cup fell into the toilet during a urine test. When investigated, there was no evidence that the sample was mixed with objects in the toilet.
It didn't stop there, local media claimed that Han Seo Hee was heard screaming and cursing the judge after the confinement sentence was announced. Arriving at the waiting room, he also made a fuss and continued until the prison bus. Han Seo Hee was sentenced to 3 years in prison and 4 years of probation after admitting to marijuana use and was arrested once again for the use of methamphetamine.
8. Park Yoochun JYJ
Previously stumbling into legal problems because of drugs, Micky Yoochun or Park Yoochun was sued by his manager. On December 23, CEO Recielo filed a civil lawsuit with the court and requested compensation of approximately 600 million won (Rp 7.2 billion) from him. Park Yoochun was accused of signing a double contract and accused the CEO of the agency of embezzling money.
Previously, Park Yoochun revealed the conflict between himself and CEO Ricelio who incidentally was his manager since he was active as a member of JYJ. Last August, the artist claimed that he had not received a proper profit settlement from the agency. In response, the agency revealed that after being involved in a drug and gambling scandal, Park Yoochun did not show any awareness.
On the other hand, an order forbidding Park Yoochun from appearing on television and continuing activities in the entertainment industry was issued by the Seoul Central District Court in November 2021. In addition, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison and a probationary period of 2 years for using methamphetamine with his ex-girlfriend in 2019. then. (wk/inta)
