Following an embarrassing drug indictment, Big Bang’s TOP has been hospitalized.
Two months ago, Big Bang’s G-Dragon posted a cryptic message on Instagram. In a dark image against a grainy background, he wrote, “I want to hide in a place that makes me comfortable.” Under pressure thanks to the group’s massive success around the world, fans worried that the Big Bang leader may have suffered from depression and burnout. Nervous Big Bang dedicated superfans (or ‘VIPs’) believed that the singer may have contemplated suicide. It doesn’t help that South Korea has the second-highest suicide rate in the world.
Now, another Big Bang member’s unexpected drug overdose has rocked the South Korean music industry.
Last week, Seoul’s National Police Agency arrested TOP for allegedly smoking marijuana three times. The group’s label, YG Entertainment, confirmed the news. In a handwritten letter written to fans, TOP wrote (roughly translated),
“This is Choi Seung-hyun.
“First of all, I would like to sincerely apologize for causing great disappointment and disturbance with a huge wrongdoing. I am too ashamed of myself to stand in front of everyone for an apology. I have no excuses and feel very regretful and fearful, so I am carefully writing down these feelings as words.
“Our members, my agency, the public… My fans who have supported me, and my family, I have left an irreparable scar in everyone’s hearts, so I believe I deserve to be punished.
“My heart aches, and I am also very ashamed of myself. I will meditate and reflect on [my mistake] again and again. I will never make such an irresponsible mistake again. Once more, I apologize for not being able to apologize to everyone personally. I will deeply repent my wrongdoing.
“…am very ashamed of myself.
“I apologize.”
Earlier today, YG Entertainment confirmed the news that TOP was found unconscious and rushed to the hospital. It came just a day after police formally indicted the Big Bang rapper for smoking marijuana three times.
Since then, conflicting reports have come out of multiple Asian news agencies. The Korean Herald wrote that TOP allegedly overdosed on muscle relaxants and has since regained consciousness. Police later confirmed that the rapper overdosed on tranquilizers.
Speaking with Soompi, a source from YG reportedly said,
“T.O.P has been taken to the Intensive Care Unit and is receiving intensive care. He normally takes tranquilizers, but according to the police he took more than usual this time. We are still checking whether or not he has regained consciousness yet. Please wait for developments.”
However, a rep from police outlets denied that TOP had actually lost consciousness. Due to sleeping pill ingredients in his anti-anxiety medication, he merely fell asleep.
“His loss of consciousness reported is not true. His anti-anxiety medication has sleeping pill ingredients in it, so he fell asleep. He’s received urine and blood tests as well as a CT scan, and the results are normal.
“The results have been relayed to his family. The doctor expects T.O.P to wake up in 1-2 days when the drugs wear off, and he’ll be able to return to life as normal.”
To make matters worse, TOP took very strong medication that may have caused him to lose consciousness. According to one media outlet,
“T.O.P suffered from panic disorder, depression, and insomnia. He’s taken prescribed anti-depression medicine for a long time. It’s likely he’s taken the same meds this time as well.”
The Korean Herald wrote that the singer wasn’t in any danger. Yet, speaking with allkpop, an insider painted a bleak picture for the rapper. The rapper may have suffered brain damage.
“Some are saying T.O.P is awake, but he’s still unconscious in the ICU. The situation is being monitored, and he’s receiving treatment… Even if he does regain consciousness, his mother has a lot to worry about. They’re worried about brain damage as he was deprived of oxygen in the beginning. They’d rather avoid reporters during this difficult time.”
So far, no new updates have come out of South Korea. Following the marijuana indictment, TOP was dismissed from his military service. Police said on Monday,
“In the 41st article of military police management laws, there is a law that states a soldier can be expelled if he is not fit to fulfill the duties. We will soon be ordering him to leave the division.”
Image by David Woo (CC by 2.0)
are like we supposed to know who this is?
? You don’t know who Top is of Big Bang ? Just making sure I’m not taking your question the wrong way…
He is a very highly respected and talented person from the group Big Bang (Kpop)
Hope he is doing better now ….
This is off the subject and hopefully not disrespectful but you should look them up your missing out on great music ….
I never thought they would smoke that thing… top’s case is kinda similar from Nam Taehyun who is a former member of winner. Whenever they had this depressive problems YG artists use drugs. (ex. Top, Bom.) I’m not bashing them ok, its just that, I wonder why almost all of their artists are depressive and has insomia then use drugs in the end.
Shut up, you idiot!!
I knew about all of this but I hope he doesn’t have brain damage. I hope people are praying for him.
#StayStrongTOP
is he gay
So is your lover
He is gay
Well he is Choi Seung Hyun aka T.O.P. A very prominate figure and South Korea and around the world. He is news worthy as millions of fans around the world look up to him.
Very talented artist who is not only well known in Korea but internationally too. We really have to show kindness toward people especially on social media. Korean artists are under so much more pressure than the average music artists between strict rules and criticism from the public. I guess I never thought I’d see T.O.P. in a news report like this but I didn’t know he was already suffering from anxiety and depression. To be honest with the pressure korean artists are under I’m surprised if they didn’t all have anxiety and depression. Good thoughts going out to his family and friends
If you don’t know ,why are you here??? We are all so worried so please mind your business
Why did u come to this article if u don’t know who he even is, he is one of the most famous korean rappers ever and u can just leave if your going to be like this bc obviously u live under a rock u don’t even know who T.O.P is so don’t com to the article ABOUT T.O.P
Wow, it’s like you don’t have any basic respect for other human beings
Kindly change the title of this article. From your own article: “The results have been relayed to his family. The doctor expects T.O.P to wake up in 1-2 days when the drugs wear off, and he’ll be able to return to life as normal.”
So, he is not ‘feared dead’. Click bait at it’s worst.
I see the title has been changed. Thank you so much. Faith somewhat restored. Will be watching for more updates. <3
The mom said that he is dying the update came in a few hours ago.
http://www.koreaboo.com/news/tops-mother-tearfully-declares-close-dying/
Its bullshit,clearly.
Yes, she’s very angry with previous news and police reports. She wanted to clarify and let the truth be known that her son is deathly I’ll. Poor woman…like she doesn’t have enough pain and worry.
Sadly I thought TOP was dying when we first wrote this. Daniel helped me realize it’s probably a bad situation but not life ending. Let’s hope he’s OK!
well that is what the police said , that he is not in a very critical situation , however TOP’s mom just made a statement saying that the police report is wrong and the doctors will give an update to clear all the confusion at 4pm korean standard time
this is terrible. the entire drug “scandal” is dumb and he shouldn’t have been getting hate in the first place. he was already suffering from mental illness and everyone who sent him massive hate and all the stress from the over-exaggerated case pushed him over the edge.
Unfortunately, smoking pot in Korea is a big deal, and what’s even more unfortunate is that you have to take routine tests in the military so he slightly set himself up for failure on that front. Like I wish the rules were different, but even it pot was legal in Korea, it’s still not allowed in the military. I think though, if rules were different there wouldn’t be as much as an uproar and this insane bullying from Netizens. I hope he gets better though. 🙁
He didn’t smoke after he was in the military. He smoked it last October they tested him twice negative once abnormal once. The test hair and there were small trace amounts same as for Gdragon. He told the truth and admired to two times.
I pray for his safety. I hope people will be able to leave him alone. I hope ,he knows that he is loved around the world ,and that many are praying for him and for his good health. And for the evil people who are trying to hurt him they just need to go away. They need to leave him and his family alone. Thenews reporters and the anti-fans and the people, who are giving him harassment, take a big look in the mirror at themselves and leave him and his family alone. I will be praying for him and his family. Also someone has a problem with my comment. They can just go away because I do not care for evil and negative people. Top, you are loved and people do care for you.
Sorry my name was spelled wrong
I pray for his safety. I hope people will be able to leave him alone. I hope ,he knows that he is loved around the world ,and that many are praying for him and for his good health. And for the evil people who are trying to hurt him they just need to go away. They need to leave him and his family alone. Thenews reporters and the anti-fans and the people, who are giving him harassment, take a big look in the mirror at themselves and leave him and his family alone. I will be praying for him and his family. Also someone has a problem with my comment. They can just go away because I do not care for evil and negative people. Top, you are loved and people do care for you.
Can someone tell the rep from police outlets that being asleep means you are unconscious?
On a serious note though I hope he’s ok, seems like he’s going through a tough time right now.
TOP, I wish you’d know amidst those unworthy haters you may find throughout your career, there are even larger groups of people from every corners of the world that truly, genuinely care for you. Even though I am a fan of Bigbang, now I don’t see myself as a fan, but rather a person who really, truly cares for another human being like him. i wish he didn’t have to go through what he had been through. The people in Korea, in reality, can be really ugly. The harrassments the Korean artists are sometime unbelievable but this is what they had to go through. TOP is a good person and I’m very disheartened to see such a talented young man being pushed to the edge like he had to go through. Even though he’s famous, he is still a person hwho can get easily hurt by evil words. Korea, you are destroying your own image by how you are treating your own artists. Prayers to TOP and his family. I really wish he will wake up soon, safe, and regain back to his normal, cheerful self. He really doesn’t deserve all this.
Oh my god i never knew he was suffering from anxiety , depression, anaemia and all . oh my god I am literally crying after this recent incident . Hope he stays strong and gets well soon . we all love him sooo much ? . Even he is a human being who should be treated like one. Please , i beg you not to harass them .Please . When some one is mentally ill how the hell can you send more and more hate ? Are you rven humans . and i dont want him to apologize when he wake up. he has already suffered much . I really really wish that he is fine .
you better prepare your croc tear for gay TOP bcoz he’s going to die soon bitch
What? Your mama is dying? What a shame! Well, with a son of a bitch like you, any mom would die! Cold hearted fece!
Get off this article, you hateful troll. Go find the feelings you left under your rock.
Bitch you better run your ass outta here before I kill you
The sheiße is wrong with you?
One,these people are distressed after learning that an idol is suffering- you’re just going to laugh at them?
And two, no one asked you to come here,he gets more bitches than you ever will,dickless.
I was shocked to find out about his status, after my sister told me bout it this morning. It is truly saddening how many people suffer from anxiety, depression, and the likes. I am praying that he gets well soon, and realizes he’s not alone, and everything he’s been anxious about doesn’t matter at a large scale… praying he’ll get through all these.
Don’t kick your brother when he’s down.Raise him up and pray for his physical and mental strength.We wish you all of Gods blessings of Grace and Peace in Christ.Love ya Toppy.
I just want to tear my heart out. Where will this end? Will he ever be able to make a comeback? YooChun was ruined by less. I can’t imagine living without that Boom shockalacka voice What a loss.
LOL the gay T.O.P died
Go be hateful somewhere else, troll. No one asked for your opinion or for your awful taunts about someone dying. I just hope that no one you look up to ends up in a situation like this. Bet you won’t be so happy and laughing then.
We don’t care on some son of a bitches thoughts like you , and us REAL VIPs are here to support and RESPECT our member of BIGBANG that ISNT GAY so if you have nothing nice to say don’t say it son of a bitch me and my fellow VIPS are worried and you are just here being a big brat because you don’t have a life so just STOP .
Sorry A that was for ANNOY
The fuck is wrong with you?
You don’t know.
If you aren’t going to say anything useful,then kindly piss off.
get lost annoy
#staystrongtop
we loved u
#mentalillnessisreal
I wish top would feel better I’ve always been a VIP and always supported them and I feel like going crazy when I hear news about this?
Nobody asked him to smoke marijuana. It was his own decision. You made mistake, you have to pay for it.
I’m not bashing him. He’s my favourite rapper. I am also Bigbang’s fan. But that the truth. Every action has consequences whether you like it or not.
Too bad TOP is suffering from depression, insomia, anxiety, etc. These idols are so spoiled that a little problem would turn them in depression, drugs, anxiety, suicide. I wonder how they would cope up if faced with ‘real’ problems of the ordinary people.
WoW. Idols actually have it a lot harder than normal people. They practice up to 15 hours a day, only to find stupid people like you calling them spoiled. Also- A ‘TINY’ ISSUE? I’m sorry but he just got sentenced to 10 months in jail because of his mistake. Think before you comment