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Stuck in systematic failure, show business mired in drug scandal
By Jung Hae-myoung
Celebrities in Korea are no strangers to drug problems. Since 1975 when a new draw law was first enforced on a group of stars for marijuana use, drugs have long been part of Korea's show business.
Even before the recent K-pop scandal that showed the systematic drug abuse at Burning Sun nightclub in southern Seoul, Psy, who rose to global stardom for his "Gangnam Style" music video, was also once accused of smoking marijuana in 2001. Several other stars, including singers, actors and even comedians, have been prosecuted in relation to prohibited drugs.
Despite crackdowns, show business' ties with prohibited drugs have continued.
Experts say the authorities' systematic failure to stop drug dealing and cruel competition in show business are two leading causes behind stars' chronic reliance on prohibited drugs to find comfort.
"Being a celebrity is much more stressful than one may think" said Kim Hyeong-geun, the head of Seoul Addiction Institute of Psychology.
"Many of them are suffering from job insecurity because their income hinges on their popularity which is hard to come by. An unknown number of people are tempted to use drugs to achieve peace of mind as they feel isolated and struggle with their uncertain future in show business."
Some celebrities confess they use cocaine and methamphetamines to boost their artistic potential, according to the police.
"Many celebrities say they used drugs to relax becausethey become nervous in front of the camera," a police official said in a media interview. "Some say they use drugs to pull out their potential as artists."
Kim Ho-ki, a sociology professor at Yonsei University, said such a reason cannot justify their reliance on prohibited drugs.
"Some artists say drugs are the catalysts for their creative works, but they should bear in mind that drugs only enslave them and make them addicted, which not only does harm to their mental and physical health but also gives negative fallout to the society," Kim said.
Reclusion is cited as another reason that caused celebrities to rely on prohibited drugs. Celebrities have difficulty finding people with whom they can share their worries to relieve stress.
"In the past, some managers or singers used to offer marijuana to their colleagues," a police official said in a media interview. "But nowadays, the management companies are cautious about using drugs, because if disclosed, their careers will be at stake."
Although stars are responsible for drug use, some can become victimized as they take drugs without knowing they are prohibited ones.
BIGBANG's G-Dragon, who was accused of inhaling marijuana at a 2011 concert in Japan, said he "took the cigarette which was handed over to him and he thought it was just tobacco."
Park Bom, a member of disbanded girl group 2NE1, was accused of having smuggled amphetamine from the United States, an allegation she denied. "I didn't know it was illegal in Korea, and was just using it to treat Attention Deficit Disorder."
Some experts say use of prohibited drugs is pervasive in this society, warning the country of the consequences.
"The Burning Sun scandal is just the tip of the iceberg," said Jeon Kyoung-soo, founder and president of the Institute of Drug-related Crime.
International drug dealers approach rich people, such as celebrities and high-ranking officials.
"Celebrities who take drugs are responsible for using drugs, but a fundamental problem lies underneath," Jeon said.
"Drug enforcement agencies and officials only focus on finding drug use cases but this approach doesn't help preventing the same incident from happening in the future."
He claimed the government has no sustainable policy to crack down on drug rings.
"There are over 3,000 drug dealers in this nation and they are based in major cities including Seoul's Gangnam," Jeon said. "The government should focus on arresting the drug dealers, not the victims who are addicted to drugs. The Korean government is short-sighted when it comes to drug policy."
He called for the government to forge a more effective policy to crack down on drug dealers.
"To end this war on drugs, arresting celebrities is not enough. An authoritative and integrated government organization is necessary to seize the giant and root out drug culture in the entertainment business," Jeon noted.
