Revealing Drinking Moments with Overseas Influencers
Seungri (33, Lee Seunghyun), a former member of the group Big Bang who served a prison sentence for charges including prostitution mediation, overseas gambling, and embezzlement, has been reported to have been released after completing his sentence.
On the 25th, multiple online communities and social networking services (SNS) shared a video showing Seungri holding a soju bottle and smiling brightly.
A recent photo of Seungri, formerly of Big Bang. He is smiling while shaking a soju bottle. [Photo source=Online community·Instagram capture]
Wearing a black shirt and sunglasses, Seungri shook the soju bottle with a bright expression and said, "This is the traditional Korean style."
He demonstrated by saying, "You can also do it with your elbow like this..." as he struck the bottom of the soju bottle with his elbow, opened the cap, and tapped the neck of the bottle with his finger, smiling widely.
The posted video also included the phrase "Whirlpool style!"
The person who revealed the video showing Seungri's recent status is Grace Tahir, the second-generation heir of the Mayapada Group, ranked 5th in Indonesia's business circles. As a co-founder of Mayapada Hospital and a medical entrepreneur, he also engages in YouTube and podcast activities. He has about 220,000 followers.
As the video spread, comments from overseas fans asking about Seungri's current status flooded Tahir's Instagram.
In response, Tahir said, "He is healthy both physically and mentally," and added, "He also likes to talk."
Tahir added, "I asked him if he wanted to do an interview, but he said not right now."
Regarding the controversy among Korean netizens about the video he posted, Tahir explained, "Many Korean netizens and media claim that Seungri was drunk, but I want to clarify that Seungri was not intoxicated and barely touched alcohol. We asked Seungri to show the famous Korean whirlpool style, and he fulfilled that request."
Former Big Bang member Seungri (real name Lee Seung-hyun), who is accused of facilitating prostitution and embezzlement involving foreign investors, is being escorted in handcuffs to a transport vehicle after completing a pre-trial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, in May 2019. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@
Despite Tahir's explanation, the reaction from Korean netizens remains cold. Netizens commented, "I thought he was reflecting, but he seems excited," and "He said he was reborn, but he's the same."
Meanwhile, Seungri was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for habitual gambling, violation of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (prostitution, mediation of prostitution, filming using cameras, etc.), and embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. He was released after completing his sentence on February 9.
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