Although BIGBANG G-Dragon tested negative for drugs, the K-pop icon may potentially lose 50B KRW ($38.5M) as penalties for 3 brands he's working for as an ambassador.
G-Dragon to Face 38M USD Penalty From 3 Brands Due to Image Damages
On December 1, K-media reported the possibility that G-Dragon might carry the consequences of being involved in illegal drug accusations, even if he was acquitted.
According to TopStarNews, the BIGBANG leader's drug scandal caused most of the companies he was working with as a model and ambassador to suffer a huge blow.
Currently, the "Haru Haru" singer is promoting three top brands, including the French luxury house, Chanel.
In 2016, he was tapped as its first Asian and male ambassador. Since then, he carried the brand's name and actively worked for them for seven years up to date.
On top of this, he was also selected as Tiger Beer's global ambassador, a Singaporean brand famous for being the No. 1 international premium beer in Asia.
Lastly, he's the official ambassador of BMW SUV's New XM.
As per the insiders, these brands are planning to charge G-Dragon a penalty.
Normally, this cost twice or thrice as much as the down payment. If the penalty per brand is estimated to be 10 to 15 billion KRW ($7.7M~11.5M), it would cost G-Dragon a total of 50 billion KRW ($38.5M), considering that the above brands charge penalties at once.
An industry official also told Newsis:
"G-Dragon was selected as a global ambassador for Tiger Beer and received about 5 billion won ($3.8M) in model fees. Even if he is acquitted, there is a possibility that the company will charge a penalty for damaging his image."
Despite this, there are no speculations of GD being removed as an advertising model of these three brands.
In fact, GD's first appearance at the police station and on TV became a hot topic after he was spotted a Chanel clothing and riding the BMW sedan i7.
At the time, the K-pop icon caused all the items he was seen wearing and carrying to be sold out, proving his unshaken fame regardless of controversies.
BIGBANG G-Dragon Tests Negative for Drugs + Only Witness Changes Statement
After he was reportedly booked on illegal drug use, G-Dragon voluntarily showed up at the Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon on November 6 to claim his innocence.
He underwent a reagent test, receiving a negative result. His urine, hair, fingernails and toenails samples also failed to prove that he used illicit substances.
To ensure the credibility of the results, the police additionally requested on Nov. 16 for GD's hair to be examined whether it was dyed or bleached from the National Forensic Service.
Doing this will imply that he tried to tamper with the evidence, but even so, GD proved his innocence again after the investigative agency refuted that the idol dyed or bleached his hair before.
While mentioning the possibility of further investigation focusing on the witness, the police lifted the ban on G-Dragon's international travel.
On November 29 then, it was almost official that GD would be acquitted of drugs after the initial witness who accused G-Dragon changed her position and refuted that she saw G-dragon doing drugs himself.
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
