K-Pop Star Under Police Scrutiny for Psychoactive Drugs — Experts Warn of Maximum Penalties

At a regular press conference held on August 28, an official from the Korean Medical Association said:

“Psychotropic drugs have a high potential for dependence and addiction. Therefore, they must be prescribed and handed directly to the patient in face-to-face consultations. We hope that the authorities conduct a thorough investigation and enforce strict legal measures regarding this incident.”

The incident referenced by the Korean Medical Association concerns an investigation by Seoul’s Seodaemun Police Station into Korea’s hugely popular singer PSY (47) for suspected violations of medical law. PSY’s 2012 release of Gangnam Style became a worldwide megahit, with promotional videos surpassing 4 billion views and hitting number one on official charts in 14 countries, including the UK, Germany, and Belgium. But now, a national artist is facing controversy.

“Since around 2022, there is suspicion that PSY’s manager received prescriptions for psychotropic drugs on his behalf without him undergoing face-to-face medical consultations. With highly addictive psychotropic medications, the patient themselves must receive them directly, except in certain limited cases. The drugs allegedly received by the manager include ‘Xanax’ and ‘Stilnox,’ which are used to treat conditions such as insomnia and anxiety disorders.

PSY’s alleged misconduct came to light through an anonymous tip to the police. When authorities searched the university hospital where the prescribing doctor worked, they seized records that supported the allegations, prompting the investigation. PSY’s agency issued a statement saying, ‘It was a clear mistake and oversight to have someone else collect the prescriptions,’ and apologized for the incident,” a journalist from a Korean newspaper reported.

Imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 5 million yen

Online, some have argued that merely having someone else pick up the medication isn’t a serious issue. However, considering the potential maximum penalties, this is not something likely to be excused so easily. Lee Soyoung, a writer familiar with the Korean entertainment industry, explained:

“In recent years, South Korea has taken a strict stance on issues such as workplace harassment, sexual harassment, and past bullying involving celebrities. In PSY’s case, his judgment is under scrutiny, and the matter has been widely reported day after day.

According to Korean legal experts, if a doctor prescribed psychotropic drugs without ever seeing PSY in person, the doctor could face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 1 million won, while the patient could face a fine of up to 500,000 won. In cases involving psychotropic medications like this, narcotics-related laws could also apply. If PSY had falsified symptoms to obtain the prescription, he could be subject to even harsher penalties.”

PSY was previously investigated in November 2001 on suspicion of marijuana use, leading him to temporarily suspend activities. In November last year, he was fined over a real estate dispute but allegedly failed to pay the penalty for more than a year.

Following this psychotropic medication issue, PSY has abruptly canceled his appearance at a music festival scheduled for September. Going forward, he may face not only self-restraint from public events but also broader social sanctions.