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The Korea Times

By Jung Hae-myoung
South Korean celebrities are no strangers to drug problems, with various scandals stretching back to 1975 when a group of stars were charged over marijuana use.
Before the current K-pop scandal over systematic drug abuse at the Burning Sun nightclub in Seoul, Gangnam Style star Psy was accused of smoking marijuana in 2001. Several other Korean stars, including singers, actors and comedians, have been prosecuted over drug use since then.
And despite various crackdowns, the show business drug scandals have continued.

Experts say the authorities’ systematic failure to stop drug dealing and the vicious competition in show business are the two leading cause of drug use by stars.
“Being a celebrity is much more stressful than one may think,” says Kim Hyeong-geun, the head of the Seoul Addiction Institute of Psychology. “Many of them are suffering from job insecurity because their income depends on their popularity. Some are tempted to use drugs to achieve peace of mind as they feel isolated and struggle with their uncertain future.”
Some celebrities have said they use cocaine and methamphetamines to boost their artistic potential, according to the police.
K-pop sex-and-drugs scandal lays bare corrupt ties to police
“Many celebrities say they used drugs to relax because they become nervous in front of the camera,” a police official says. “Some say they use drugs to help reach their potential as artists.”
But Kim Ho-ki, a sociology professor at Yonsei University, says this excuse is hard to justify.

“Some artists say drugs are a catalyst for their creativity, but they should bear in mind that they can become addicted, which not only harms their mental and physical health but also has a negative effect on society,” Kim says.
Loneliness is also cited as another reason celebrities use drugs, as they are sometimes isolated and don’t have a support network to help them relieve stress.
“In the past, some managers or singers used to offer marijuana to their colleagues,” a police official says. “But nowadays, management companies are cautious about using drugs as the stars’ careers are at stake.”
Some South Korean stars claim they have been unwittingly caught up in drug scandals.
Celebrities who take drugs are responsible for using drugs, but a fundamental problem lies underneath.
Jeon Kyoung-soo
Big Bang’s G-Dragon, who was accused of inhaling marijuana at a 2011 concert in Japan, said he took a cigarette handed to him and he thought it was just tobacco.
And Park Bom, a member of disbanded group 2NE1, was accused of smuggling in amphetamines from the United States, but said she didn’t know the drugs – used to treat attention deficit disorder – were illegal in South Korea.
Some experts say drug use is pervasive in South Korea. “The Burning Sun scandal is just the tip of the iceberg,” says Jeon Kyoung-soo, founder and president of the Institute of Drug-Related Crime.

It is believed that international drug dealers approach rich people, such as celebrities and high-ranking officials.
“Celebrities who take drugs are responsible for using drugs, but a fundamental problem lies underneath. Drug enforcement agencies and officials only focus on finding drug cases, but this approach doesn’t help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.”
He claims the government has no sustainable policy to crack down on drug rings.
Not so sweet after all: K-pop sex scandals reveal seedy underbelly
“There are over 3,000 drug dealers in this nation and they are based in areas such as Seoul’s Gangnam district [where Burning Sun is located],” Jeon says. “The government should focus on arresting the drug dealers, not the victims who are addicted to drugs. The Korean government is short-sighted when it comes to drug policy.”
He called for the government to forge a more effective policy to crack down on drug dealers.
“To end this war on drugs, arresting celebrities is not enough. An authoritative and integrated government organisation is needed to root out the drug culture in the entertainment business,” Jeon says.
Read the full story at the Korea Times.


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Lifestyle

Entertainment

Culture

Music


Burning Sun in Seoul is embroiled in a sex and drugs scandal, but experts say drug abuse is an industry-wide problem
Some believe authorities’ failure to stop drug dealing and the vicious competition in show business are the leading causes of drug use



Experts say Korean authorities’ systematic failure to stop drug dealing and the vicious competition in show business are the two leading cause of drug use by stars.


Fame and celebrity

Gangnam Style

Drugs

Korea Times

K-pop star Seungri’s nightclub drug scandal ‘is just the tip of the iceberg’

Burning Sun in Seoul is embroiled in a sex and drugs scandal, but experts say drug abuse is an industry-wide problem Some believe authorities’ failure to stop drug dealing and the vicious competition in show business are the leading causes of drug use

Burning Sun in Seoul is embroiled in a sex and drugs scandal, but experts say drug abuse is an industry-wide problem

Some believe authorities’ failure to stop drug dealing and the vicious competition in show business are the leading causes of drug use