On November 24th, it was reported that a local court sentenced South Korean rappers, Iron, and Kidoh for smoking marijuana. According to South Korean law, the use of marijuana is banned and those sentenced for using the drug can face up to 5 years in jail or a fine of up to 50 million won.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Iron an eight-month prison term and probation for 2 years, and Kidoh a six-month jail term and 1 year probation. Additionally, both were fined (250,000 won and 50,000 won) and ordered to commit to 40 hours rehabilitation. Both artists were indicted for smoking the drug this past July. Iron had been charged with smoking the illegal substance three times between December 2014 and March 2015, while Kidoh was charged for smoking at a bar in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2015. The two were among seven hip hop artists indicted for similar drug use allegations at the time.
Iron had recently released his first full length album, ‘ROCKBOTTOM,’ which had previous controversy over explicit lyrics in a song featuring Kidoh. The song was reported to have glamorized rape and dissed YG artists, G-Dragon and T.O.P. Former Topp Dogg member, Kidoh was set to hold a solo tour in the U.S. this December. Since the drug sentencing, fans have been unsure as to whether the tour will still be held. However, the tour promotors Hallyu Entertainment released the following statement on their official Twitter. The statement can be found below:
Tickets are still available at https://t.co/KXu54DK6Yk ! pic.twitter.com/5zTtY1UO7J
— Hallyu Entertainment (@HallyuEntmt) November 26, 2016
At this time, no further information has been released regarding the final trial, but it seems the U.S. tour will continue as planned.
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Sources: Yonhap English News | Toppdoggintl Tumblr | Yibada News | Hallyu Entertainment Twitter
Edited by: Gigi E.
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