BIGBANG's T.O.P receives suspended jail term for smoking marijuana

By Lee Han-soo

T.O.P

T.O.P of K-pop boy band BIGBANG was given a suspended jail term on Thursday for smoking marijuana.

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced the star, whose name is Choi Seung-hyun, 29, to 10 months’ jail, suspended for two years, and fined him 20 million won ($17,769).

Choi was charged with smoking liquid marijuana ― in an electronic cigarette vaporizer ― with a female singer trainee, 21, at his home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, four times in October.

The Prosecutors’ Office indicted him on June 6 for breaking Korean narcotics laws after a hair sample obtained earlier this year tested positive to marijuana.

“I have suffered from depression and an anxiety disorder for many years, which led to an irreversible mistake due to my wrong state of mind,” Choi said in his closing argument. “I submit to any punishment the court deems and make it my moral lesson so that it will never happen in the future and I live the rest of my life serving the community.”

The court said in a ruling statement: “The fact that the defendant admits smoking marijuana all four times and the related evidence proves that he is guilty.”

The decision to give Choi a suspended sentence was based on it being his first offense and that ”he admitted to his crimes and has repented to never do drugs again.”

Choi has been doing mandatory military service with the police.

Because the sentence is less than 18 months, they will now review whether Choi is fit to serve with them.

If he fails to pass, he will be discharged from the police and forced to finish his military duty as a public service worker.

Choi debuted with BIGBANG in 2006. Led by G-Dragon, the band 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."