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| Big Bang's G-Dragon Korea Times file |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
G-Dragon, leader of K-pop group BigBang, will resume military service as an active duty soldier after facing allegations of triggering re-examination to get discharged from military duty.
"Kwon Ji-yong (G-Dragon's real name) will have to serve on active duty as he was rated 'appropriate' during the re-evaluation," an army representative said.
Local media outlet Enewstoday reported on Saturday that G-Dragon may be disqualified from active duty because he was denied a promotion. The outlet reported that an investigation committee reviewed G-Dragon's status to determine whether he should be discharged or not. He is scheduled to be discharged in November 2019.
According to local media outlets, G-Dragon is still a private while others who enlisted at the same time have moved up to corporal in January.
The Big Bang member's failure to advance was reportedly due to "excessive use of vacations." Korean news agency Dispatch claimed that he had spent nearly 100 days off military duty since enlisting in February 2018.
However, an army spokesman denied the accusation of giving privileges or preferential treatment to G-Dragon, saying, "Kwon has used 76 vacation days ― 47 of those days were for medical (ankle) treatment."
An army representative added, "Although it is true Kwon has not advanced to corporal, he will acquire the next status before long, after he meets the examination requirements."
Meanwhile, another BigBang member, Seungri, was questioned by police over drug use and distribution and procurement of prostitutes for foreign investors at his Burning Sun club.
Although Seungri apologized over the scandal and ditched his title as the club's public relations director, the negative publicity has led him to halt all activities.
His label YG Entertainment (YG) announced Thursday, "Seungri will cancel all schedules including his upcoming concerts in Osaka on March 9-10 and Jakarta on March 17, and cooperate with police investigations."
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, in charge of investigating the allegations of narcotics use, sexual assaults, violence and corrupt ties with district police, said it would question Seungri again soon.
Because of G-Dragon's military enlistment controversy and Seungri's Burning Sun scandal, investors have reportedly been dumping YG shares.
YG finished trading at 42,050 won on Thursday, down 6.14 percent from the previous day. Nearly 100 billion won has evaporated in the past few days, with YG's market cap falling to 764.7 billion won on Thursday from 863.8 billion won on Monday.
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