"Membership-Based Businesses Not Using Tenpro"
Actor Lee Seon-gyun (48) has been booked on drug use charges, and reports have emerged that the location identified as a Gangnam entertainment venue was not 'Tenpro' but a 1% membership room salon.
On the 24th, New Daily reported that the establishment in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where Lee Seon-gyun allegedly used drugs, is not the Tenpro entertainment venue but a room salon operated on a membership basis. It is described as a 1% venue that is difficult for the general public to access.
The so-called '1% room salon' reportedly charges 8 to 10 million KRW for a table of 3 to 4 people and is said to be accessible only to the top 1%. Celebrities, athletes, and other famous individuals are the main customers. Most female hostesses are known to be aspiring entertainers, models, or former singers.
The media reported that Lee Seon-gyun became aware of the '1% room salon' through an introduction by an acquaintance and developed a friendship with Manager A (29), who works at the establishment. Lee is suspected of having used marijuana and other drugs multiple times at A's residence in Seoul.
In an interview with JTBC's 'Newsroom,' a representative of an entertainment venue said, "(Lee Seon-gyun) often came here, though I don't know what he did." He added, "Usually, not just anyone comes here. I don't know what happens in the rooms. Something bigger might come out," indicating potential repercussions.
According to the legal community and police, the Incheon Police Agency's Narcotics Crime Investigation Division booked Lee Seon-gyun on the 24th on charges related to marijuana and other drugs under the Narcotics Control Act. The police booked Lee without detention.
Earlier, the police received intelligence that drug use was occurring at a Gangnam establishment and, during an investigation of eight people including A, discovered that A had used methamphetamine. On the 19th, A was arrested on administrative charges for violating the Drug Control Act, and a detention warrant was requested and issued on the 21st. A female employee in her 20s, B, who worked at the same entertainment venue, was booked without detention.
The police found multiple phone call records between A and Lee Seon-gyun on A's mobile phone and learned that A demanded 350 million KRW from Lee. Lee's side claims that A extorted hundreds of millions of won through threats and filed a complaint against A for blackmail. Lee's side stated that the complaint did not include any drug-related content, but the police believe A demanded money from Lee by threatening to expose drug use and inhalation.
The Metropolitan Investigation Unit (led by Lee Jae-hong), which is investigating Lee Seon-gyun's drug use allegations, is reportedly focusing its investigation on A. With A detained, he has emerged as a key figure in proving Lee's charges.
The police announced plans to summon Lee Seon-gyun for questioning soon. Lee's legal representative stated, "He will attend the investigation agency and cooperate sincerely."
The film industry is on alert. The release of 'Escape: PROJECT SILENCE' (directed by Kim Tae-gon) and 'Land of Happiness' (directed by Chu Chang-min), both completed by Lee Seon-gyun, has become uncertain. If the drug use allegations are proven true, the theatrical releases are likely to be halted. The distributor has stated they will monitor the situation. Lee has withdrawn from the upcoming drama 'No Way Out.'
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