BIGBANG's T.O.P. is currently being investigated for the use of marijuana after the rapper was found positive for the substance during a drug testing conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in March. T.O.P., whose real name is Choi Seung Hyun, is currently serving as a conscripted police office at the Gangnam District as part of the police band unit.
According to a report by Korea Herald, YG Entertainment has issued a statement admitting that T.O.P. had used liquid marijuana or cannabis last October The agency maintained, however, that this took place before T.O.P's enlistment in February this year.
"It is true that T.O.P smoked marijuana before the enlistment and we sincerely apologize for the outcome," YG Entertainment's statement about T.O.P.'s alleged drug use read. "The rapper has undergone all police investigation, and regrets his wrongdoing."
Based on a report by Soompi, the investigation resulted from the test conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on a hair follicle belonging to the enlisted BIGBANG member. It remains unclear, however, if T.O.P. continued to use cannabis after his enlistment.
T.O.P's case has been forwarded to the prosecutor's office for further action. The use of marijuana is considered a violation of illegal drug laws in Korea.
Meanwhile, BIGBANG's fans called VIPs are giving their support to T.O.P on social media, expressing that the fandom will survive another blow to their idols. It can be recalled that BIGBANG leader G-Dragon, who is set to release his solo comeback album "Kwon Ji Yong" next week, was also investigated for the use of marijuana way back in 2011 but received a suspension of the indictment.
"VIPs, we survived this in 2011 and we will survive this again," one VIP rallied his fellow BIGBANG fans. Fans also urged T.O.P. to stay strong as he is investigated for the case.
