On March 19, MBC’s “Newsdesk” revealed that it obtained phone conversations about the entry of minors into Burning Sun that happened in July 2018.

According to the report, the mother of a student called the police saying that her son, who was a minor born in January 2000, had entered Burning Sun in the early morning of July 7. At the time, Burning Sun was facing the threat of suspension of business. It was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office with the suggestion of non-indictment about a month later.

The police who arrived at the club did not investigate the student who had entered Burning Sun, and the case was closed due to lack of evidence. MBC reports that in order to cover up this incident, Burning Sun CEO Lee Sung Hyun paid former police officer Kang 20 million won (approximately $17,704) with police currently investigating suspicions that part of this money was sent to the team in charge of investigating the case.

About three months later in early November of 2018, a phone conversation took place between Burning Sun CEO Lee Sung Hyun and Mr. Lee who delivered the money.

In the recording of the phone call, Mr. Lee said, “While drinking soju, talks about [redacted] Hotel came up and the club…” and CEO Lee Sung Hyun continued, “It seems someone directly contacted Seungri.” Mr. Lee said, “Since the person directly involved in the report is Seungri, he probably knew.” Lee Sung Hyun said “Yeah, [Seungri] was contacted about two times,” confirming that Seungri was informed about the entry of underage customers into the club.

Regarding this, a source from Seungri’s legal representative said, “Seungri heard that something like this had happened after the incident had occurred. Lee Sung Hyun and Seungri are in a relationship where they report to each other.” “Newsdesk” stated that the police is analyzing the phone call recording and investigating Seungri under suspicions of interfering with the case of entry of minors.

On the same day, SBS’s “8 O’Clock News” shed light on suspicions about illegal business practices of Seungri’s other club Monkey Museum which he operated before Burning Sun.

Seungri had registered Monkey Museum as a retailer and not as a drinking establishment at the borough office. At the time of the opening of Monkey Museum, a conversation took place in the KakaoTalk group chatroom amongst Seungri and his acquaintances.

Mr. Kim said, “It’s illegal to having dancing or a stage, but you’re good at working flexibly,” and Mr. Park added, “It’s illegal, but it’s hard to impose sanctions against it, so everyone’s just staying silent.” Seungri then responded, “It means that we don’t really have a problem. If they crack down, we’ll slip them some money.”

Opening a bar in that space was prohibited because Monkey Museum was located in a residential area. Seungri, however, carried out his business with illegal practices and recorded sales of 500 million won (approximately $442,460) on opening day.

Despite its illegal operations, Monkey Museum bypassed the crackdown of the borough office. From March 2016 to August 2018, it was penalized once for business violations with a fine of 40 million won (approximately $35,372). It received light punishments for violations of the Food Sanitation Act where employees failed to undergo health screenings and for the lack of price indications.

SBS also pointed out that despite the fact that videos of people dancing on stage at Monkey Museum had circulated online, the police had failed to properly crack down on the violations.

Source (1) (2) (3)

On March 19, MBC’s “Newsdesk” revealed that it obtained phone conversations about the entry of a minor into Burning Sun that happened in July 2018.

According to the report, the mother of a student called the police saying that her son, who was a minor born in January 2000, had entered Burning Sun in the early morning of July 7. At the time, Burning Sun was facing the threat of suspension of business. It was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office with the suggestion of non-indictment about a month later.

The police who arrived at the club did not investigate the student who had entered Burning Sun, and the case was closed due to lack of evidence. MBC reports that in order to cover up this incident, Burning Sun CEO Lee Sung Hyun paid former police officer Kang 20 million won (approximately $17,704) with police currently investigating suspicions that part of this money was sent to the team in charge of investigating the case.

About three months later in early November of 2018, a phone conversation took place between Burning Sun CEO Lee Sung Hyun and Mr. Lee who delivered the money.

In the recording of the phone call, Mr. Lee said, “While drinking soju, talks about [redacted] Hotel came up and the club…” and CEO Lee Sung Hyun continued, “It seems someone directly contacted Seungri.” Mr. Lee said, “Since the person directly involved in the report is Seungri, he probably knew.” Lee Sung Hyun said “Yeah, [Seungri] was contacted about two times,” confirming that Seungri was informed about the entry of the underage customer into the club.

Regarding this, a source from Seungri’s legal representative said, “Seungri heard that something like this had happened after the incident had occurred. Lee Sung Hyun and Seungri are not in a relationship where they report to each other.” “Newsdesk” stated that the police is analyzing the phone call recording and investigating Seungri under suspicions of interfering with the case of entry of a minor.

On the same day, SBS’s “8 O’Clock News” shed light on suspicions about illegal business practices of Seungri’s other club Monkey Museum which he operated before Burning Sun.

Seungri had registered Monkey Museum as a retailer and not as a drinking establishment at the borough office. At the time of the opening of Monkey Museum, a conversation took place in the KakaoTalk group chatroom amongst Seungri and his acquaintances.

Mr. Kim said, “It’s illegal to having dancing or a stage, but you’re good at working flexibly,” and Mr. Park added, “It’s illegal, but it’s hard to impose sanctions against it, so everyone’s just staying silent.” Seungri then responded, “It means that we don’t really have a problem. If they crack down, we’ll slip them some money.”

Opening a bar in that space was prohibited because Monkey Museum was located in a residential area. Seungri, however, carried out his business with illegal practices and recorded sales of 500 million won (approximately $442,460) on opening day.

Despite its illegal operations, Monkey Museum bypassed the crackdown of the borough office. From March 2016 to August 2018, it was penalized once for business violations with a fine of 40 million won (approximately $35,372). It received light punishments for violations of the Food Sanitation Act where employees failed to undergo health screenings and for the lack of price indications.

SBS also pointed out that despite the fact that videos of people dancing on stage at Monkey Museum had circulated online, the police had failed to properly crack down on the violations.

Source (1) (2) (3)

TV Chosun has reported that the police have received a testimony from a source at the club Burning Sun that stated that Seungri took drugs.

The outlet reports that Seungri was privately summoned for questioning regarding this on March 18.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s metropolitan investigation unit has begun an investigation on whether or not the testimony is factual.

TV Chosun describes that the police sees the testimony as credible. However, as it lacks concrete details about time and location, they are having trouble confirming it.

Seungri has denied allegations of drug use and a drug test that he took when he voluntarily submitted himself for examination on February 27 came out negative. With the addition of this testimony, it appears that the investigation into allegations of drug use is resuming. The police plans to continue to question Seungri.

On March 19, Seungri spoke up about recent controversies and denied allegations of providing prostitution services and traveling overseas to gamble.

Source (1)

On March 19, MBC’s “Newsdesk” reported on the number of sick leave days that BIGBANG member T.O.P has taken.

T.O.P is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service as a public service worker at Yongsan District office. He works from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, with Sundays and Mondays off.

“Newsdesk” stated that they had looked at the calendar of T.O.P’s work days and found that there were many more days taken as sick leave than his peers, and that they were mostly scheduled before or after other days off.

After the Chuseok holiday last September, when his vacation days alternated with work days, T.O.P took sick leave on the work days. Therefore September 23 was a usual day off, 24 to 26 was the Chuseok holiday, 27 was a sick leave day, 28 was a vacation day to make up for his missed usual day off on Monday, 29 was a sick leave day, and September 30 to October 1 were his usual days off. There were therefore nine days off in a row.

In addition, he took a day off before Memorial Day (June 6) as sick leave, reaching four days off in a row including his two usual days off on Sunday and Monday.

For both periods, “Newsdesk” reports that there were no medical reports submitted to explain the reason for his sick leave.

Other sick leave days were also mostly placed on Saturday or Tuesday (before or after his usual days off). Out of 19 days of sick leave, 15 of them were taken next to a usual day off. T.O.P is quoted by “Newsdesk” as saying, “It was because I had a panic disorder then, and I’m a bit ill.”

“Newsdesk” looked at the schedule of 226 other public service workers at Yongsan District office. They said that (excluding unavoidable cases such as those diagnosed with illnesses or in accidents) T.O.P had taken three times as many sick leave days as the average, and four times as many days that were next to vacation days.

The outlet checked with a dentist that T.O.P had received treatment from on a sick leave day to see if the time off had been unavoidable. The dentist was found to be open in the evenings until 9 p.m. on Thursdays for treatment.

“Newsdesk” reported that Yongsan District office has said that T.O.P is not receiving special treatment for being a celebrity.

YG Entertainment said in a call with the news outlet Hankook Ilbo, “T.O.P is currently doing alternative service, so there is no statement we can give from our agency. You’ll need to ask Yongsan District office.”

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Seungri has spoken up about his recent controversies through a phone interview with Sisa Journal.

On March 19, media outlet Sisa Journal released an exclusive report of Seungri’s interview where he denied allegations of providing prostitution services and traveling overseas to gamble. The media outlet was able to interview Seungri through his lawyer Son Byung Ho.

During the interview, Seungri stated, “Didn’t all of these events begin with the conversations from the KakaoTalk [chatrooms]? Just as we wrote ‘police chief,’ we were just fools, just friends who were bluffing and showing off without knowing anything.” On March 13, a certain individual in the chatroom mentioned a “police chief,” saying he “has my back.” However, because the phrase used for “police chief” contained a typo, many suspected that the word actually referred to the “Commissioner General of the police” or the “Public Prosecutor General” as all three phrases are very similar in Korean. It was later revealed that the “police chief” in question was a senior superintendent officer.

Seungri continued, “These things have caused a public opinion [that I’m involved in] tax evasion and police collusion. Honestly, I’m in a situation where even if I tell the truth, no one will believe it. Even the investigators believe that the contents of the KakaoTalk [chatrooms] are all true and considered evidence. [Sigh] I’m afraid I won’t be judged fairly to be right or wrong due to the fact that I’m famous and a celebrity. Because I feel sorry to the people of Korea, aren’t I in a position where I can’t complain of the injustice or make rebuttals? Finally, to add one more thing, there was no overseas gambling, nor were there prostitution services.”

Sisa Journal had previously revealed messages that showed Seungri and his business partner from 2014 known as “A” engaging in habitual gambling abroad. In response to this report, Seungri stated, “When I said that I earned money during that time, or when I sent pictures of money, I was just bluffing and lying. I wanted to show off, so I said things that weren’t even true. ‘A’ didn’t even see me gamble, nor was he there with me. You can find this if you confirm it with the hotel.” Seungri also referred to the business partner as a “scammer.”

The same day, Sisa Journal met with Seungri’s lawyer Son Byung Ho. The lawyer explained “A” and Seungri’s conversation from 2014 alluding to prostitution. The two had discussed which woman they should bring to their trip to Indonesia, and Seungri also presented photos and information about the ages, jobs, and personalities of various women, asking his business partner to choose a woman.

Lawyer Son Byung Ho explained that “A” had requested Seungri to introduce him to a woman who could accompany him to Indonesia as if she were his wife or girlfriend. He added that “A” had eventually gone to Indonesia with Seungri without any women accompanying them.

Sisa Journal then added that Seungri had sent a message that said, “I was in the wrong. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with those guys and done those things.”

Source (1) (2)

Top Photo Credit: Xportsnews

The Military Manpower Administration has begun reviewing Seungri’s request to postpone his enlistment.

Seungri submitted the official request to the Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration on the afternoon of March 18. However, the power of attorney and letter of approval were incomplete, and the Military Manpower Administration requested that he turn in the missing documents. Seungri prepared the necessary documents once again and resubmitted the request to the Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration by fax at night.

A source from the Military Manpower Administration stated on March 19, “The documents came in this morning and became formally ready [to be reviewed]. We began reviewing it today. The results will be out tomorrow, and when the results come out, we will inform Seungri. We cannot presuppose the results yet. We will carefully look over the request in a lawful manner.”

According to Seungri’s lawyer Son Byung Ho, Seungri requested to delay his enlistment on the basis that he is “a person who has an impediment to fulfilling his military duty due to other extenuating circumstances” as written in Article 129 (Postponement of Date of Enlistment, etc.) of the Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act.

In this case, one can request to postpone one’s enlistment for a maximum of three months. According to the Military Manpower Administration, one is normally expected to write the number of days they are requesting to delay, but even if the section is not filled in, one’s enlistment can normally be delayed for three months. However, if Seungri has to delay his enlistment again for the same reason, he can only do so one more time, and the documents have to be submitted to the Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration again.

In the case that the Military Manpower Administration does not approve his request, Seungri would have to enlist on March 25 as planned. His case would be transferred to the military police, and the investigation would be handled jointly with the police.

News outlet Newsis states that as of now, it appears likely that Seungri will be able to postpone his enlistment.

In a statement the Military Manpower Administration released on March 15, they revealed that there had been a case of the governmental body granting a request to postpone someone’s enlistment due to investigations.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Provincial Special Detective Division also sent an official document to the Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration asking to delay Seungri’s enlistment.

Meanwhile, on March 18, the Military Manpower Administration announced their plans to make an amendment to the law to prevent people from enlisting as a way of escaping from reality.

Source (1)

On January 28, footage was revealed of a man being assaulted by guards at the club Burning Sun, which Seungri was known as an executive director of. What most people did not see coming at the time was the shocking unveiling of numerous criminal activities that have been taking place for years and involving many individuals including top celebrities, powerful figures, the police, and more. Some of the suspected crimes include prostitution mediation, filming and circulation of illegal hidden camera footage, drug usage, bribing the police, gambling, and tax evasion.

This outbreak of events has become known as “Burning Sun Gate,” and 50 days have now passed since its beginning.

Key Players

Here are some of the key figures who have played a large part in this series of incidents:

Seungri

– Booked on charges of violating the law on prostitution mediation and other related actions
– Resigned as executive director of Burning Sun
– Left BIGBANG and announced retirement from entertainment industry on March 11

Yoo In Suk

– Seungri’s business partner who worked on him on several businesses including Burning Sun
– Husband of actress Park Han Byul
– Revealed as influential figure in chatroom
– Acquainted with police officer “Yoon”
– Lost position as CEO of Yuri Holdings on March 15

Jung Joon Young

– Booked on charges of filming and spreading illegal hidden camera footage
– Announced retirement from entertainment industry on March 13

Yong Junhyung

– Not a member of group chatroom
– Received illegal hidden camera footage sent to him by Jung Joon Young and participated in inappropriate conversations
– Left Highlight on March 14

Choi Jong Hoon

– Being investigated for sharing illegal hidden camera footage
– Under suspicion of using connections to cover up drunk driving incident from 2016
– Left FTISLAND and announced retirement from entertainment industry on March 14

CNBLUE’s Lee Jong Hyun

– Left group chatroom several years ago
– Watched illegal hidden camera footage sent to him by Jung Joon Young and participated in inappropriate conversations

Mr. Kim

– Former employee of Burning Sun
– Set up hidden cameras for filming illegal footage

Lee Moon Ho 

– CEO of Burning Sun
– Status changed to suspect after testing positive in drug test
– Defended himself and Seungri from controversies

Senior Superintendent Police Officer “Yoon”

– Acquainted with Yoo In Suk
– Booked for suspicion of covering up criminal activities of members in chatroom

SBS funE Reporter Kang Kyung Yoon

– Reporter who released the first reports suggesting Seungri taking part in prostitution mediation and about his participation in a chatroom with other celebrities sharing illegal hidden camera footage

Lawyer Bang Jung Hyun 

– Lawyer who sent the KakaoTalk conversation data to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on behalf of the original whistleblower

Timeline of Key Events

Here is a breakdown of some of the major incidents that have occurred:

January 28

– MBC’s “News Desk” reveals CCTV footage of a man being assaulted by security guards at Burning Sun. Later in the week, Yang Hyun Suk and Seungri apologize for the controversy but deny Seungri’s involvement in the incident.

February 26

– SBS funE shares messages exchanged between Seungri, “C” (later revealed to be Choi Jong Hoon), Yoo In Suk, and Burning Sun employee “Kim.” The messages suggest that Seungri lobbied to investors and offered sexual favors as bribes.

– YG and Yuri Holdings both comment that the reports are not true and that the messages are fabricated, and the police launch an investigation regarding the reports.

February 28

– Seungri completes his first round of police questioning from February 27 through 28.

– YG Entertainment announces that Seungri will cancel all upcoming scheduled activities.

March 4

– SBS funE reveals that the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission procured the original copy of the messages. The person who reported the messages did not send them to the police as there are suspicions of connections with the police.

March 8

– YG Entertainment confirms that Seungri will be enlisting as an active duty soldier on March 25.

– MBC shares evidence that Seungri played a large role in the formation of Burning Sun.

March 10

– Seungri is booked on charges of violating the law on the punishment of prostitution mediation and other related actions.

March 11

– SBS funE reports that Seungri and two other male celebrities shared illegal hidden camera footage in a chatroom.

– Seungri announces his retirement from the entertainment industry.

– Jung Joon Young is reported as one of the celebrities who shared illegal hidden camera footage.

– Yong Junhyung’s agency Around Us Entertainment denies his involvement in the chatroom. Yong Junhyung personally denies the reports the next day.

March 12

– “2 Days & 1 Night,” “Salty Tour,” and “4 Wheeled Restaurant” confirm Jung Joon Young’s removal from the programs. His performance at “Beautiful Mint Life 2019” is also canceled.

– The original reporter of the chatroom, Kang Kyung Yoon, denies Lee Hong Ki’s involvement.

– Kang Kyung Yoon, as well as Dispatch, deny rumors of various female celebrities being victims of the hidden camera footage. Agencies of female celebrities who were mentioned in the false rumors announce that strong legal action will be taken.

– Jung Joon Young is booked on charges of spreading illegal hidden camera footage.

– SBS reports more content from the chatroom with Jung Joon Young including discussion of criminal acts.

– FNC Entertainment denies Lee Jong Hyun and Choi Jong Hoon being involved in the group chatrooms.

March 13

– Jung Joon Young admits to his crimes in a letter of apology.

– MAKEUS Entertainment terminates Jung Joon Young’s exclusive contract.

– YG Entertainment terminates Seungri’s exclusive contract.

– Lawyer Bang Jung Hyun, who sent the KakaoTalk conversation data to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on behalf of the original whistleblower, reveals possible ties that the chatroom members had with the police. The Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency confirms contents of the message that suggest connections.

– SBS funE and SBS’s 8 O’Clock News report additional instances of the chatroom members having connections with the police.

– Choi Jong Hoon admits to a drunk driving incident from 2016 but denies using a connection with the police to cover it up as reported previously. SBS shares messages exchanged between Choi Jong Hoon, Seungri, and more which suggest that connections were used to cover up the incident.

March 14

– Yong Junhyung announces his departure from Highlight and explains his messages with Jung Joon Young.

– FNC Entertainment announces Choi Jong Hoon’s departure from FTISLAND and retirement from the entertainment industry. He also personally addresses the controversies in a letter of apology.

– New reports reveal messages showing evidence of Seungri engaging in habitual gambling abroad and providing sexual escort services to his business partner.

– SBS unveils explicit one-on-one conversations exchanged between Jung Joon Young and Lee Jong Hyun. The next day, FNC Entertainment releases an official statement of apology on behalf of Lee Jong Hyun regarding the conversations.

March 15

– Jung Joon Young completes his first round of police questioning, while Seungri completes his second. Yoo In Suk also receives questioning from the police.

– Yoo In Suk resigns from his position as CEO of Yuri Holdings. SBS reports on his influential role in the chatroom.

– “2 Days & 1 Night” announces an indefinite hiatus following Jung Joon Young’s removal.

March 16

– Senior Superintendent “Yoon,” who was identified as a suspect of having ties to members of the chatroom, admits being acquainted to Yoo In Suk. “Yoon” is booked by the police two days later.

– FNC Entertainment denies rumors of Lee Jong Hyun sexually harassing and sexually assaulting women in the past and announces that legal action will be taken.

March 17

– Choi Jong Hoon completes police questioning for allegedly spreading illegally taken photos and videos.

– Lee Moon Ho defends himself and Seungri from controversies

– Cha Tae Hyun and Kim Joon Ho are revealed to have bet large amounts of money over a game of golf through messages found in Jung Joon Young’s phone. Both of them apologize and step down from their programs.

March 18

– Jung Joon Young completes his second round of police questioning, and the police announce that an arrest warrant will be requested for him.

– Seungri submits official request to postpone his military enlistment.

– President Moon Jae In orders thorough investigations of controversies.

– SBS releases phone interview with Choi Jong Hoon from March 2 when he talked about his ties to Senior Superintendent “Yoon.”

March 19

– Request is submitted to court to issue arrest warrants for Jung Joon Young, Mr. Kim, and Mr. Jang, Burning Sun’s director from the initial assault case.

This timeline will be updated continuously as the stories progress.

Top left and right photo credit: Xportsnews