[UPDATE] Seungri Responds to Burning Sun Controversy; Victim, Family Comes to His Defense

Seungri finally released a statement surrounding the Club Burning Sun controversy.

In his February 2, 2019 Instagram message, Seungri wrote:

Hello. This is Seungri.

I first want to bow my head and sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable or was worried due to the recent incident and controversy related to me. Because of this incident, the last few days have been like an unbearable nightmare, and I was flustered as to where and how I should begin talking about this.

I am sorry for my delayed official statement and apology. I was dissuaded by people around me that a hasty explanation may cause bigger misunderstandings during a time when uncertain information was already snowballing.

I was not at the scene when the assault incident that started this controversy occurred. I first learned about the incident a few days later through a staff member and only initially heard that there was assault on both sides between a customer and an employee, and that it was under police investigation. Due to the nature of the place of business, disputes and fights occur often, so I hoped that this would also be resolved peacefully without a big problem.

Later on, I saw the clip of the incident for the first time through the media, and I was also very shocked. Violence cannot be justified under any circumstance, and I sincerely apologize to the victim who was injured due to this incident. I hope that your mental and physical injuries will heal as soon as possible.

I first became involved with the club when BIGBANG briefly halted promotions and I began solo promotions. Using the time outside of my solo promotions, I began with the innocent mindset of wanting to try working as a DJ, which is something I had wanted to do, at a place where I could freely play music at any time.

Just in time, I got a good opportunity to become the executive director in charge of promotions at a club. Since I’m a celebrity, I was charged with publicly promoting the club.

Operating and managing the club were not my roles, and I am reflecting and deeply apologize for not showing myself taking responsibility from the beginning of the incident, as I was not involved in these roles from the start.

The issue that began with an assault case is now being covered with reports about drugs. I have not seen or heard anything related to this, so I’ll actively cooperate with investigations and hope that strict punishment will be carried out if a crime is revealed through the investigation. I’ll also take full responsibility if there is something, I need to be responsible for as an executive director at the time.

While going through this incident, I learned and realized a lot once more about the responsibility and attitude of a celebrity. I apologize once again to everyone for causing concern through this incident and will work hard to become more mature and considerate.

Respectfully,

Seungri, Lee Seung Hyun (Trans. Cr. Soompi)

View this post on Instagram

안녕하세요. 승리입니다. 먼저 저와 관계된 최근 사건과 논란으로 불쾌하셨거나 걱정을 끼쳐드린 모든 분들께 진심으로 고개 숙여 사과드립니다. 이번 사건으로 인해 지난 며칠간 견디기 힘든 악몽 같은 시간을 보내며 무슨 말씀을 어디부터 어떻게 드려야 할지 많이 혼란스러웠습니다. 사실 관계가 불분명한 내용들이 눈덩이처럼 커지는 상황에서, 섣부른 해명이 오히려 더 큰 오해를 만들 수 있다는 주변의 만류와 많은 고민들로 공식해명과 사과가 늦어진 점 정말 죄송스럽게 생각합니다. 이번 논란의 시작이 된 폭행 사건 당시 저는 현장에 있지 않았고, 며칠 뒤 스텝을 통해 손님과 직원 간에 쌍방폭행사건이 있었으며 경찰서에서 조사중이라는 정도로 이번 사건을 처음 알게 되었습니다. 사업장의 성격상 다툼 및 시비가 적지 않게 일어나기에 이번에도 큰 문제 없이 원만히 해결되기를 바라는 마음이었습니다. 후에 언론을 통해 당시 상황이 담긴 영상을 처음 보게 되었고, 저 역시 큰 충격을 받았습니다. 어떠한 경우에도 폭력은 정당화될 수 없고, 이번 일로 상처를 받으신 피해자 분께는 이 글을 빌어 진심으로 사죄의 말씀드리며. 하루빨리 심신의 상처가 아물길 바라겠습니다. 제가 처음 클럽에 관여하게 된 계기는, 빅뱅의 활동이 잠시 중단되고 솔로 활동을 시작하게 되면서, 솔로 활동 외의 시간을 이용해 언제든 마음놓고 음악을 틀 수 있는 장소에서, 제가 해보고 싶었던 DJ 활동을 병행하고 싶다는 단순한 마음에서였습니다. 때마침 좋은 계기가 있어 홍보를 담당하는 클럽의 사내이사를 맡게 되었고, 연예인이기 때문에 대외적으로 클럽을 알리는 역할을 담당했습니다 실질적인 클럽의 경영과 운영은 제 역할이 아니었고, 처음부터 관여하지 않았기 때문에 이번 사건도 처음부터 책임있는 모습을 보여드리지 못하였던 점 깊이 반성하고 머리 숙여 사죄드립니다. 폭행사건으로 촉발된 이슈가 요즘은 마약이나 약물 관련 언론 보도들로 이어지고 있습니다. 이 부분에 있어서는 제가 이를 직접 보거나, 들어본 적도 없었던 터라 수사에 적극 협조하여 철저한 조사를 통해 진상규명과 함께 죄가 있다면 엄중한 처벌이 있었으면 하는 마음입니다. 당시 사내이사를 맡고 있었던 저도 책임질 일이 있다면 모든 책임을 지겠습니다. 이번 일을 겪으면서 유명인의 책임과 태도에 대해 다시 한번 크게 뉘우치고 깨닫게 되었습니다. 이번 일로 인해 걱정 끼쳐드린 모든 분들께 다시 한번 진심으로 사과 드리며, 더 성숙하고 사려깊은 모습 보여드릴 수 있도록 노력하겠습니다. 승리 이승현 배상

A post shared by Seung Ri (@seungriseyo) on Feb 2, 2019 at 6:45am PST

Seungri’s Father, Sister Speak Up

In addition to Seungri’s official statement, Seungri’s father and sister also reached out to the public with statements of their own.

In his statement, Seungri’s father further reiterated that Seungri did not own club.

“Seungri does not operate the club. It’s disappointing that people want to blame Seungri because he’s a celebrity. Watch [the events unfold] is very painful,” Seungri’s father said. “Seungri has resigned from his directorial position at ‘Burning Sun’. He is currently in the process of resigning from his positions such as Aori Ramen because he must enlist in the military.”

Meanwhile, a social media account that’s supposedly attached to Seungri’s sister, Lee Hanna, shared new images from Club Burning Sun that allegedly show that whistleblower and alleged victim, Kim Sang-kyo, may not be as innocent as he paints himself.

In the post the allegedly belongs to Lee, it states, “Please share this link to everybody for my brother. U guys can link to this URL on my profile… It is absolutely not true that Mr. Kim received a beating for trying to save a woman from sexual harassment. Mr. Kim was in fact arrested for approaching two females with harassing motives.”

Kim Sang-kyo “Fooling the Nation”?

The female victim from the Club Burning Sun controversy came forward with another statement the same day Seungri released his statement. In her statement, she claims that Kim Sang-kyo is “fooling the nation” and that he is not the victim he claims.

“Mr. Kim is fooling the nation,” she said. She continued by stating Kim was actually the instigator when he “tapped on her waist and hip, then kept looking at her from behind.” The victim stated she tried to leave, but Kim prevented her from doing so by grabbing her waist. She then states security tried to take him away.

In connection to Kim’s claims, the female victim said, “Mr. Kim is causing so much damage to so many people.”

This story is constantly developing. All parties are assumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law. As for Seungri, he’s been dragged into this mess because his name has been attached to the club. He is not a suspect in any of the alleged crimes.

—-Joelle Halon

Sending

User Review

0 (0 votes)

Ayumi Hamasaki releases new single ‘BYE-BYE’ on 26th anniversary of her debut! Explosive music video features ayu in school uniform!

Download & streaming links Music video As she celebrates the 26th anniversary of her debut, Japanese pop superstar Ayumi Hamasaki has released the brand new single ‘BYE-BYE’. ‘BYE-BYE’ was written for the... Read More