Park Bom Update: ‘PD Notebook’ Admits Mistake On Idol’s Age; Petitions Filed To Reinvestigate Bom’s Drug Scandal
The real age of former 2NE1 member Park Bom has been put in the spotlight following an episode of MBC's PD Notebook that looked into her past drug scandal. Moreover, the episode also sparks petitions to reopen the 8-year old alleged drug smuggling case.
In the recent episode of Korean investigative show PD Notebook, it did mention that Bom's age was 31 when she was investigated on an allegation of drug smuggling in 2010. This means she was born in 1979 and not 1984 as stated in her public profile. Some viewers, however, pointed out the miscalculation, saying Bom should have only been 26-years-old and not 31 at the time of the investigation.
PD Notebook acknowledged the mistake and shut down rumors about Bom's real age. The show's rep explained that they made a chart that was used in the episode based on a report in 2014. The TV program was referring to the chart shown in the episode in which it compared the ruling on Park Bom's case and a Samsung Electronics employee who smuggled the same drugs. "The calculations about her being born in 1979 is wrong," the PD Notebook rep stressed (via AllKPop).
In 2010, the K-pop star was placed under investigation for allegedly smuggling 80 amphetamine tablets to South Korea from the U.S. The package was intercepted at the Incheon International Airport.
Bom, who is a member of 2NE1 at the time, admitted that the drug is for the treatment of her depression. The K-pop group's label, YG Entertainment, explained that the drugs were legally prescribed to Bom by her American physician.
In 2014, reports came out that authorities did not file charges against Bom. YG Entertainment said the case was dismissed after they have submitted to the prosecution Bom's prescriptions and medical records that confirmed her diagnoses and ongoing treatment plan.
Nonetheless, Bom decided to leave her TV show Roommate because of the scandal and went on hiatus. She came back in December 2016 but 2NE1 eventually disbanded in November 2016.
Petitions To Reopen Park Bom's Drug Smuggling Case
Some Koreans have filed petitions with the office of South Korean President Moon Jae-in to reinvestigate former 2NE1 member Park Bom's drug case. Two petitions have been filed so far on the Office of the President of South Korea. Both petitions are asking for the reopening of Bom's case, Metro reported.
The petitions stemmed from a statement of a lawyer in the episode of PD Notebook about Bom's case. Atty. Cho Soo Hyun appeared on the show and explained that it is "very unusual" that a case of smuggling of narcotic amphetamines is never pursued.
"There were no such cases before. The person absolutely needs to be booked, and it's normal for the person to receive at least probation, no more what the situation (behind it) might be," said Cho who also handles drug cases in Incheon in South Korea.
Reports indicate that one of the petitions on reopening Bom's drug smuggling case already has over 300 endorsers while the other has 100. The Office of the President or other government agency or official in Korea is required to give a response to the petition if it is signed or endorsed by at least 200,000 people in 30 days.
