BIG BANG's T.O.P Braces For First Trial Date For Drug Charges
BIG BANG rapper T.O.P. is set to appear before his first trial date after he was charged with violation of South Korea's Act on the Management of Narcotic Drugs. The YG artist was recently found positive for marijuana during a drug test performed by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in March.
It can be recalled that while BIG BANG's T.O.P. was fulfilling his duties as a conscripted officer as part of his two-year mandatory enlistment, a female trainee picked up for marijuana use pinpointed T.O.P as the person who accompanied her in using liquid marijuana. After the rapper was tested positive of the substance through a hair follicle test, he was dismissed as a police officer.
BIG BANG's T.O.P. was subsequently hospitalized after his dismissal from police service after he was found unconscious in his home after taking too many anti-anxiety pills. He remained in critical condition for several days at the Erwha University Hospital and was transferred to a different hospital to seek psychiatric treatment to ensure his mental health after his physical recovery.
The trainee in BIG BANG T.O.P's case identified as Han Seo Hee has received her sentence of multiple uses and purchase of marijuana. The Seoul Central Court has sentenced the woman to four years of probation and a fine of 870,000 won and required her to attend 120 hours of rehabilitation. She also stands to serve three years worth of jail time if she violates the terms of her probation.
Netizens have reacted negatively to the sentence, saying that the court was too lenient on the trainee. Some have also expressed worry that BIG BANG's T.O.P. would take the brunt of the punishment because he is a celebrity. Others expressed confidence that since T.O.P. is a first time offender, the court will consider this in his case, Korea Portal reported.
For their part, fans have launched different projects to show their support for their embattled idol. T.O.P's Fools, a group of his fans have encouraged fellow fans to create fan arts and messages to be included in a photo book to be given to T.O.P to encourage him through his ordeal. They are also planning the use of the hashtag #WeAreHereForYouTOP to rally the BIG BANG rapper to remain strong. Other fans, on the other hand, are encouraging other members of the fandom not to use the hashtag to not draw attention to T.O.P's trial as it may have a negative impact on the sentence for the K-pop idol, Kpopstarz reported.
