Former BIGBANG member Seungri, singer-actor Park Yoochun and Jessi, who was embroiled in allegations of neglecting an assault involving a minor last year, continue to generate income through performances, businesses and fan meetings abroad, despite being treated as “public enemies” in Korea.
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Seungri
Former BIGBANG member Seungri was at the center of the 2019 “Burning Sun” scandal, facing nine charges, including assault, prostitution mediation and habitual gambling. He was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison and was released in February last year. Though he has not returned to the Korean entertainment industry, his overseas activities frequently surface on SNS and online communities.
Seungri has been seen attending events for high-profile brands and socializing with celebrities. One netizen even reported a rumor that “Seungri is said to make more money than G-Dragon“. Dressed in sleek suits and engaging in business-like conversations, he appears to have transformed into an “international entrepreneur”, but Korean fans remain critical, questioning whether he has shown any remorse.
Rumors suggest that even after his release, Seungri contacted acquaintances to “go clubbing” and has been spotted partying abroad while mentioning BIGBANG members. His apparent lack of self-reflection has only fueled further criticism.
Park Yoochun
Once a beloved member of TVXQ and JYJ, Park Yoochun was arrested in 2019 for methamphetamine use and sentenced to 10 months in prison with a 2-year probation period. When the drug allegations first emerged, he vowed to “retire from the entertainment industry if proven true“, but his conviction left fans outraged.
Adding to the public’s disappointment, he was revealed to have over 400 million KRW in unpaid taxes, landing him on the National Tax Service’s delinquent list. However, despite these controversies, Park Yoochun has been consistently active in Japan. Recently, he held fan meetings in Tokyo and Fukuoka, selling expensive merchandise and tickets, successfully tapping into the Japanese fanbase.
Though he appears cheerful in recent photos, Korean fans remain cold. Many criticize him, saying, “He promised to retire over his drug use, yet he’s still living the celebrity life abroad.”
Jessi
Jessi, who halted her activities in Korea after a controversy in September last year, recently resurfaced. On February 24, she shared photos from her Manila performance and backstage, dressed in a striking red outfit, captioning them, “Thank you for your energy, Manila.“
Her controversy stemmed from an incident in Apgujeong, Seoul, where a male acquaintance of hers assaulted a minor fan, prompting police intervention. Though Jessi was seen trying to de-escalate the situation, she ultimately left without stopping the assailant, leading to accusations that she “neglected the assault“. Her explanation that he was a “stranger she had just met” lost credibility when it was revealed he was an acquaintance of a producer she worked with.
Despite issuing an apology, public backlash persisted, forcing her to suspend all activities in Korea. Now, five months later, she has resumed her career overseas, starting with “Waterbomb Manila”. Her return has led many to believe she is unconcerned about having lost Korean fans.