Retired K-pop idol Seungri was released from prison after 18 months of sentence in February 2023. His release also brought forth various allegations. According to Korean media sources, he allegedly contacted his past acquaintances to go clubbing.
The Korean news agency, Dispatch, also reported on his vacation in Bangkok with his girlfriend Yoo Hye-won. This comes right after his release from prison after serving 18 months sentence for the Burning Sun Scandal.
Lee Seung-hyun, better known as Seungri, was initially sentenced to three years in prison. The supreme court later revised and finalized this sentence of the military court to 18 months. Netizens strongly challenged these judiciary decisions as he was convicted of nine charges including sex trafficking, illicit gambling, and misappropriating funds.
Out of the nine, Seungri was pronounced guilty on eight charges. Choi Jung-hoon, one of the other two Korean entertainers convicted in the Burning Sun scandal, was released in 2021. Meanwhile, Singer Jung Joon-young’s prison sentence will end in late 2025.
Burning Sun is still one of the major scandals in the Korean entertainment industry. Therefore, K-pop fans disputed Seungri’s recent updates after his release.
Seungri allegedly proposes to go clubbing after release from prison
The Korean media outlet, SPOTV News, reported on Seungri’s well-being after his prison release. He was sentenced to a year and a half in May 2022. However, as the former singer had already fulfilled the majority of his sentence, he just needed to complete his remaining term until February 2023.
Following his release, SPOTV News received Seungri’s well-being reports from multiple acquaintances. As per the sources, he is living with a positive attitude. Another individual, who confessed to receiving a call recently, claimed he sounded calm and chatted as usual.
Moreover, another acquaintance claimed Seungri contacted his friends from show business and asked them to go out clubbing. Netizens didn’t receive this update well and criticized the artist for his behavior.
They questioned his remorse for his past involvement in the Burning Sun scandal. Adding to the ongoing claims came reports of Seungri’s alleged vacation with influencer Yoo Hye-won.
Dispatch releases vacation pictures of Seungri and Yoo Hye-won
Seungri caught on a date in Thailand with influencer Yoo Hyewon after leaving jailhttps://t.co/aYUdAzxGxM pic.twitter.com/snSCuHM4pc
— pannchoa (@pannchoa) March 22, 2023
According to Dispatch, the two celebrities visited a luxurious hotel in Bangkok Thailand earlier this month. They expressed casual affection in the lobby and alertness toward other Korean tourists. The rumors of Seungri and Yoo Hye-won’s dating first surfaced online in 2018 when a Chinese media outlet reported an alleged image of the couple embracing on the street.
These rumors resurfaced online in 2020 when Seungri enlisted for mandatory military service. Netizens who visited the premise noted a woman sitting next to him in his vehicle with a dog in her lap. Many suspected her of being Yoo Hye-won due to past rumors.
https://twitter.com/faeforfae/status/1638391428572237824?t=JmyNUNeJAXxL4kkcbXc77A&s=19
Now, according to Dispatch, the two lovers have overcome Seungri’s prison sentence together and visited Bangkok for a vacation. The outlet also contacted Yoo Hye-won’s managing label for further clarification. According to their official statement, she visited Bangkok to attend a wedding along with many other acquaintances.
Netizens express conflicting reactions to updates about Seungri following his prison release
Many K-pop fans are condemning the retired star over his carefree behavior. This news has also progressed the debates among Korean citizens about the sentence term in Korea. They believe there should be a change in the judiciary system and convicts should face serious consequences.
Dispatch followed seungri to thailand?? I mean he is retired from entertainment industry and he is STILL relevant? Dispatch ah, i know you got paid by that company with lot of money to sabotage YGartists but seungri is not even their artists anymore. Leave him alone tf
— Bbvipnew (@bbvipnew) March 22, 2023
On the other hand, many K-pop fans challenged public criticism. They debated that Seungri is no longer a celebrity after his retirement in light of the Burning Sun scandal. He is officially a regular citizen and hence should be treated as one. They also criticized Dispatch’s interest in the former celebrity.
Making an exception once and qtwt kpoo…
This is making me so happy!! This is what I wanted for him. To comeback and live his life to the fullest..let the ignorant and hateful ppl who ruin him burn in their own hate and jealousy. 🔥
Live your life #seungri 💙 https://t.co/4w9We6AuHm— Soso 🦋 (@music_memes_) March 22, 2023
Apart from that, Seungri’s fans defended the singer clarifying he wasn’t the CEO of the Burning Sun club and didn’t engage in any sexual assault. Therefore, they are happy about his release and safe return to society. Moreover, the rumors of the scandal being a ploy to hide various more controversial news has also regained momentum.
What is your opinion regarding the recent news of Seungri’s clubbing proposals and Bangkok vacation? Do let us know in the comments below and follow Spiel Times for more insights about Korean entertainment.
