BIGBANG member TOP hospitalized for sedative overdose

By Park Sae-jin Posted : June 7, 2017, 10:13 Updated : June 7, 2017, 10:13

[Photo by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]


BIGBANG member TOP's life is not in danger but in a state of hypersomnia after overdosing sedatives. He is receiving treatment at an intensive care unit of a Seoul hospital.

The incident occurred a day after the 29-year-old was indicted on charges of smoking marijuana. The singer has been serving his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman since February.

TOP fell into sleep on Monday evening after taking an excessive amount of prescription sedatives at the living quarter of conscripted policemen. His colleagues tried to wake him up for breakfast the next morning but TOP opened his eyes but could not get up, according to police.

He was sent to a hospital at noon when his condition got worse, sweating heavily, sparking rumors about a suicide attempt. Doctors found his condition was not fatal and police said they would question him later.

The singer's agency, YG Entertainment, said in a statement that TOP has taken prescription sedatives regularly. "Although he has not yet gained consciousness, his condition is not fatal."

TOP was charged Monday with smoking marijuana four times at his home with a 21-year-old female singer trainee, identified by her surname Han, in October last year, four months before he was drafted.

Fans showed a mixed reaction but many denounced TOP's acton. "I hope you look back on your actions and never repeat this kind of foolish action again," said "sayj", a user of South Korea's largest portal Naver.

"I think TOP succeeded in gaining sympathy vote," wrote Kazakus of the online community Clien. Another Naver user called Rnfm was more critical. "Go sleep somewhere else! Are you not ashamed of yourself?

The marijuana scandal was uncovered through a police investigation sparked by a testimony from Han, who was arrested in March. The singer initially argued that he smoked electronic cigarettes but did not know they were drugs. However, through the investigation, TOP was tested positive in a test for drug residues in hair.

TOP was the second BIGBANG member who has been charged with smoking marijuana. G-DRAGON was investigated by prosecutors on similar charges in 2011. Smoking or consuming marijuana is illegal in South Korea and violators could be sentenced to less than five years in prison.

Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com
 
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