Former Big Bang member Seungri directly denied recent reports claiming he left South Korea to pursue business opportunities in China. He also shared his thoughts on being mocked with the nickname "Defeat," a play on his stage name, as Seungri means "Victory" in Korean.
On April 3, Seungri revealed to Ilgan Sports in an interview, “The rumors about me leaving Korea are not true. I’m currently living in Korea, and any overseas trips were for personal reasons like meeting old acquaintances or attending weddings. I have no business plans whatsoever.”
Addressing earlier speculative reports about him preparing to open a club abroad, Seungri stated, “People say I know a third-generation chaebol (conglomerate heir), but I don’t know anyone like that. I have many acquaintances overseas, so I do go back and forth to meet them, but I’m not trying to start any kind of business again.”
Although it has been two years since his release from prison, Seungri said he has not been involved in any economic activities. “I’m just living quietly and spending time with my family,” he said. “It seems people find it entertaining to criticize and insult me. They don’t call me Seungri (Victory) anymore — they call me ‘Paebeh’ (Defeat), like it’s some kind of meme or joke,” he added, revealing his bitter feelings.
Apologizing for causing public exhaustion, Seungri stated, “Even in my private life, I will be more cautious to avoid any further controversy and will act with a greater sense of responsibility.”
Recently, Chinese media outlets reported that Seungri appeared at a club in Hangzhou on March 19. According to reports, “Seungri entered the venue escorted by 10 bodyguards. He kept his head down and remained silent, but a large crowd of fans still gathered.” One outlet noted, “He had gained significant weight and his face was red. His former appearance was nowhere to be found.” Reactions in China were reportedly cold, with the media strongly criticizing his presence. Some pointed out his criminal history and said, “Seungri showing up at a nightclub in Hangzhou and seeking a return to the Chinese market and profit-making opportunities is a blatant provocation against China’s laws and moral values.”
Meanwhile, Seungri was also recently spotted at a Korean restaurant in Seoul. On the 6th of last month, sightings of him at a bone soup restaurant in Songpa-gu spread online. A netizen who saw him said, “I saw Seungri eating like a thief at a bone soup restaurant, with a really beautiful woman. Everyone knew it was him but pretended not to. Then the restaurant lady handed him a piece of paper and loudly asked for an autograph. So, he took two bites and left.” After this post gained traction, more sightings of Seungri surfaced, including one at a similar restaurant in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam.
Seungri was a figure in the 'Burning Sun scandal' and faced nine charges in 2019, including arranging prostitution, violating laws related to sexual violence (including illegal filming), violating the Food Sanitation Act, embezzlement related to Yuri Holdings and Burning Sun funds, habitual gambling, violating foreign exchange laws, and instigating special assault.
He enlisted in the military in March 2020 and was scheduled to be discharged on September 16, 2021, but was sentenced to three years in prison in his first trial and was immediately taken into custody, serving time at a military prison. In the second trial, his sentence was reduced to 1 year and 6 months, which was finalized by the Supreme Court. After serving his sentence, Seungri was released from Yeoju Prison, a civilian facility, in February 2023.
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