Korean pop sensation PSY (Park Jae-sang), best known for his viral hit “Gangnam Style,” is facing police investigation in South Korea over allegations of illegally obtaining prescription sleeping pills.
Authorities claim PSY received the medication from a university hospital without attending in-person consultation, with his manager collecting the drugs on his behalf.
PSY’s agency, P Nation, said the singer suffers from chronic insomnia and has been taking prescribed medication under medical supervision. However, the agency admitted that, due to PSY’s demanding schedule, his manager occasionally picked up the medication, which they now recognize as a mistake and have apologized.
The prescribing doctor denied any wrongdoing, saying the prescriptions were issued following online consultations with PSY.
The medication in question includes Xanax, used for anxiety disorders, and Stilnox, for short-term insomnia. Both drugs are strictly regulated under South Korea’s narcotics laws, and unauthorized possession or prescription is a criminal offense.
Police investigation into the matter is ongoing.
This is not PSY’s first run-in with the law. In 2001, he was caught using marijuana at the home of a senior composer. He later admitted that he had brought leftover marijuana from the United States and used it four to five times.
The court considered him a first-time offender and ultimately fined him.
