On April 3, 2025, Ilgan Sports reported that Seungri, a former member of the popular K-pop group BIGBANG, publicly refuted recent allegations about his plans to leave South Korea for new business opportunities abroad. This statement came during his first media interview since completing his prison term.
Seungri took the opportunity to clarify his present activities and upcoming intentions, asserting that rumors of him opening nightclubs in places like Cambodia and Hong Kong were entirely baseless. His comments followed reports of a trip to China on April 2, where, according to several witnesses, he was purportedly exploring business prospects.
Responding to the media coverage, Seungri personally contacted Ilgan Sports to correct certain misinformation circulating online. He stated:
“I want to correct the parts that are not true. First of all, it is not true that I am leaving Korea. I currently reside in Korea, and most of my overseas schedules are invitations to acquaintances’ weddings or for personal relaxation. Other than that, I do not have any business meetings or plans.”
Since his release from Yeoju Prison on February 9, 2023, where he served an 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution and embezzlement, Seungri has maintained a low profile. He explained that his time post-incarceration has largely been spent with family and engaged in personal travels, which he insists is unrelated to any business ventures.
He elaborated further:
“It’s all rumors and gossip. Because I have many acquaintances overseas, people seem to assume I’m planning something abroad, but that’s not true—I have no business plans. My recent visit to China wasn’t to attend a club event or to start something there. I went solely to attend a friend’s wedding. I have no intention of starting anything again.”
A Look Into Seungri’s Controversial Past with the Burning Sun Nightclub
Seungri’s troubles began in late 2018, when the Burning Sun nightclub, which he co-owned in Gangnam, Seoul, became embroiled in allegations of sexual assault, illegal filming of intimate acts, prostitution, embezzlement, and police misconduct.
The scandal ignited after an incident on November 24, 2018, involving a man named Kim Sang-kyo, who alleged that he was assaulted by staff while intervening in a harassment situation. This prompted a deeper investigation into the club’s operations, ultimately revealing serious infractions and implicating various high-profile individuals in the fallout.
In a notable BBC documentary on the subject, it was revealed that Seungri was convicted of orchestrating prostitution for investors, swindling approximately 528 million won (around $361,733) from the club, and engaging in high-stakes gambling in Las Vegas. Consequently, he received a three-year prison sentence alongside a hefty fine of 1.15 billion won (approximately $787,866), being taken into custody immediately following the verdict.
Another key figure in the scandal, singer Jung Joon-young, faced severe charges for aggravated assault and the illegal distribution of unauthorized explicit materials. In November 2019, he was sentenced to six years in prison, which was later reduced to five on appeal. Jung operated a KakaoTalk group chat where he shared videos of his heinous actions, which included several well-known personalities.
Choi Jong-hoon, a former member of FTISLAND, was also found guilty of similar charges and initially sentenced to five years in prison. However, this was later shortened to two and a half years after an appeal. He was released in November 2021.
Additionally, Kwon Hyuk-jun, the older brother of Girls’ Generation member Yuri, was implicated in the scandal relating to the illicit distribution of private content, resulting in a four-year prison sentence. Yoo In-suk, the ex-CEO of Yuri Holdings and husband of actress Park Han-byul, was linked with Seungri and faced charges related to embezzlement and prostitution. He admitted to his wrongdoings in June 2020 and received a 20-month sentence.
A marketing director associated with Burning Sun received a five-year sentence, which was later adjusted to four years following an agreement with a victim.
In a further twist, the Korea Herald reported that in 2024, Seungri was slated to be part of an event titled “Burning Sun”in Surabaya, Indonesia, organized by TSV Management—an association he vehemently denied any knowledge of. Following this, he was spotted at a club in Cambodia, where he mentioned a former bandmate’s name, G-Dragon, which later prompted an explanation from him regarding the context of the remarks.
Despite his troubled past, Seungri asserts he is focusing on personal recovery and plans to distance himself from any business-related operations in the entertainment industry.