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| Rapper Defconn denies rumors that he has a juvenile criminal record. Screen captured from MBC |
By Lee Gyu-lee
Rapper and TV personality Defconn, whose real name is Kim Dae-jun, dismissed rumors that he has a juvenile criminal record.
"We've confirmed that there have recently been online postings about Defconn, including malicious attacks, hateful comments and false accusations," Defconn's agency SM C&C said in a statement Tuesday. "The postings about serving time in a juvenile detention center are groundless and he has never been exempt from mandatory military service."
The rumors surfaced over the weekend after he appeared Saturday on an episode of MBC's variety show "Hangout with Yoo." In the episode, the show's host Yoo Jae-suk started a new segment in which he played a detective along with Defconn and singer Kim Jong-min.
After the episode aired, some people called for Defconn to be removed from the show, claiming ― without providing evidence ― that he spent some time at a juvenile detention center as a teenager and that it is inappropriate for someone like him to play a detective.
Defconn has shared stories of his turbulent adolescence on TV shows in the past. In a 2013 talk show appearance, he revealed he had been indicted after getting into a fight with friends in high school. He said the case was resolved after reaching a settlement.
SM C&C denied that the rapper received any sentence from that case and said: "At the time, he apologized to the victim, and has been striving to be a better person to his family and friends."
The agency said it is gathering evidence to take legal action against those who deliberately tarnish his reputation. "We are seeking to stop further defamation and restore his reputation," it said.
Defconn debuted in 1998 and made a name for himself as an underground rapper before appearing on TV. He starred in various reality shows, including season 3 of KBS' "2 Days & 1 Night" and JTBC's K-pop show "Idol Room."
He also formed a hip-hop duo called Hyungdon and Daejun with comedian Jung Hyung-don in 2012. The duo released several songs, including "Choice," featuring IU.
