BIGBANG's T.O.P indicted for smoking marijuana

T.O.P from BIGBANG has been indicted for illegally smoking marijuana four times at his Seoul home in October.

By Ko Dong-hwan

T.O.P from world-renowned K-pop band BIGBANG has been indicted for breaking Korean narcotics laws.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said Monday it had indicted the rapper, 29, without detention on charges of smoking marijuana. He is suspected of smoking the banned substance four times in October.

The charges surfaced after an analysis of T.O.P's hair sample earlier this year proved positive to the drug.

The star, whose name is Choi Seung-hyun, entered the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) in February to serve his mandatory public service. He was placed in the PR Bureau and stationed with Gangnam police.

The star allegedly smoked the drug with a female singer trainee, 21, at his home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in October.

Police were tipped off in March. They confronted Choi in April ― while he was involved in a drill at the Riot Police Training Center in Byeokje, Gyeonggi Province ― with an order for a hair sample. When the test result showed positive, police sent the case to prosecutors on May 25.

YG Entertainment said on June 1 Choi admitted smoking the drug and regretted his wrongdoing.

On Monday, he apologized to his fans in a written letter, saying, “I deserve every punishment for causing irreversible pain to my fans and family members.

“I am sorry for not seeking every one of those whom I have hurt to apologize.”

Debuting in 2006, the five-member band led by G-Dragon has been dominant in the K-pop market and also influential on the world stage.

Starting with the title track “Lies,” the band released follow-up hits like “Last Farewell,” “Day by Day” and “Sunset Glow.”