| B.I of K-pop boy band iKON is embroiled in drug-use allegations. Yonhap |
By Dong Sun-hwa
Local media Dispatch raised drug-use allegations Wednesday against B.I, leader of K-pop boy band iKON, but said his agency YG Entertainment denied them.
According to the outlet, YG's spokesperson said Monday the record label has been maintaining strict control over artists' drug use.
“We had a drug test (in the company,) but B.I and other iKON members all tested negative,” the spokesperson reportedly said.
Dispatch claimed it had obtained online conversations from April 2016 between B.I and an anonymous acquaintance that hinted at his possible drug use.
In the chats, B.I requested the acquaintance buy lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a hallucinogenic drug, on his behalf, it said.
He reportedly asked, “How much does 'it' cost?” “Do you know a dealer?” and “How do I use LSD?”
He also said: “I'm asking you about this because we did 'it' together in the past.”
In August 2016, the acquaintance was arrested without a warrant at his home in Seoul for alleged drug use.
Yongin Dongbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province reportedly secured the conversations when they confiscated the acquaintance's mobile phone. At first, the acquaintance testified he had handed LSD to B.I but later flip-flopped, according to reports.
Police told Dispatch the acquaintance later insisted he had not given the drug to B.I despite the request. Hence, they did not investigate the singer.
Dispatch claimed YG intervened to have the acquaintance change his statement.
On Wednesday, B.I apologized in an Instagram post, saying he would leave the band. But he denied the allegation.
“I wanted to resort to 'it' but could not do so because I was afraid,” he wrote. “I am sorry to my fans and the members.”
YG announced on the same day it terminated the contract with the singer.
B.I, whose real name is Kim Han-bin, debuted as a member of iKON in 2015. The group rose to fame with several hit songs including “Love Scenario” released in 2018.