KBS bans H.O.T music, image

Tony An, center in the second row, is seen in this file photo as a member of the now defunct-group H.O.T. / Korea Times file

By Park Jin-hai

KBS announced Thursday that it will temporarily ban now-defunct boy band H.O.T’s music and videos from its programming.

The broadcaster said that its management had decided in December to not feature entertainers, accused of gambling including Tony Ahn from H.O.T, alongside Lee Su-geun and Tak Jae-hoon. An was charged with repetitive gambling and booked without detention.

KBS added that it will also suspend appearances by actresses Lee Seung-yeon, Park Si-yeon and Jang Mi-inae, who received suspended jail sentences for abusing the anesthetic drug propofol, and singer Ko Young-wook, sentenced to five years in jail for raping and sexually assaulting minors.