Due to an ongoing drug scandal, 2NE1's Park Bom is not filming any new episodes for the reality show "Roommates," which follows the daily interactions of 11 celebrity roommates.
A controversy arose when the Segye Ilbo published an article about a 2010 investigation into the singer. The investigation concerned drugs that are illegal in Korea and that Park reportedly had sent to her grandmother's house. The publication wondered why the investigation ended without the singer's prosecution. They suggested that she escaped prosecution because she was a member of a popular girl group.
Prosecution officials countered that they took the prosecution seriously and that Park did not receive preferential treatment. The prosecution officials were quoted in the Segye Ilbo as saying they examined her medical record and prescription from a U.S. hospital, where amphetamines are legal when prescribed.
"Through our investigation, we confirmed that Park had been prescribed amphetamines in the U.S. When she came to Korea, she felt that the drugs that contained no amphetamines did not work as well, so she ordered amphetamine pills based on what she had been prescribed in the U.S."
Yang Hyun Suk, the president of 2NE1's agency YG Entertainment, wrote a personal letter to the public explaining that the drugs were part of a treatment plan to deal with a childhood trauma. Park's busy schedule did not permit her to go to the states, so she had the medication mailed. But the medication was mailed disguised as candy snacks and this led to netizens wondering why she bothered to disguise it.
Segye Ilbo then reported that Park's parents helped the singer smuggle the drugs into Korea, knowing full well they were illegal. Her father, the CEO of a medical treatment company, had to know the status of the drugs. And it is also alleged that her mother asked for prescriptions in her place, which is also illegal. If the drugs were purchased illegally in the U.S., the family may face prosecution there.
But even though Park was cleared of the charges in 2010, the scandal has the potential to negatively affect the program. So, it was decided that she should not continue. Park Bom said that she did not feel comfortable returning to the set.
"I am very sorry to all for having a great controversy because of me," she said. "Because I feel terrible, I don't have the confidence to film for 'Roommates.'"
Any episodes that she already filmed will be shown without editing. The program will continue without her.
The other celebrities in "Roommates" include Hong Soo Hyun, Lee Dong Wook, Nana and Seo Kang Joon.
