K-pop guru questioned by police amid gambling, sex scandals

YG Entertainment

29/08/2019 04:36

By Hyonhee Shin
    SEOUL, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The music producer behind some of
South Korea's biggest K-pop stars was questioned by police on
Thursday in connection with an investigation into illegal
gambling and prostitution that has rocked the music industry.
    According to police investigators, a network of pop stars,
businessmen and police are alleged to have colluded and enabled
tax evasion, bribery, and prostitution at some of the glitziest
clubs in Seoul's swanky Gangnam district. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N21W0E4
    Yang Hyun-suk, founder of YG Entertainment  122870.KQ  which
manages top artists such as Big Bang, Blackpink and others,
appeared for questioning at a Seoul police station.
    "I will sincerely explain my position to the police," Yang
told reporters before entering the station.
    Police declined to comment on what they said was an ongoing
investigation.
    Yang, himself a former legendary performer, resigned as YG's
chief producer in June and has denied accusations over drug and
sex scandals involving some of his artists.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N23L2F6
    The scandal intensified in March when Seungri, a 28-year-old
member of YG's boyband Big Bang, quit showbiz over sex bribery
accusations, prompting police investigations and the resignation
of three other K-pop stars.
    Seungri was questioned by police on Wednesday and declined
to comment.  
    Yang is the biggest shareholder of YG, which he established
in 1996. His brother Yang Min-suk, the firm's chief executive,
has also resigned. 
    YG Entertainment is among the top K-Pop record labels but
its shares have more than halved in value this year due to the
scandal.

 (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by Daewoung
Kim and Hayoung Choi; Editing by Darren Schuettler)
 ((hyonhee.shin@thomsonreuters.com; 822 6936 1474;))