Seungri’s Upcoming Release From Prison Sparks Negative Reaction From Netizens

The former idol’s sentence is being deemed too short by many.

Seungri, once a popular second-generation K-Pop idol, caused a stir worldwide with his involvement in an entertainment and sex scandal that happened in Seoul in 2019. The ex-idol got indicted on multiple criminal charges in 2020 and is reportedly being released from prison on February 11.

| Reuters

In May 2020, the Supreme Court of South Korea sentenced Seungri to 18 months in prison. After the final sentencing, he was transferred to a civilian prison from the military. The general public was unhappy with the court’s verdict as they deemed it a light sentence for the charges.

Seungri was indicted for nine criminal charges, which included solicitation of illegal prostitution, illegal gambling overseas, distribution of non-consensually filmed sexual content, embezzlement, threatening, and assault. Initially, Seungri was tried initially in military court, was found guilty on all nine charges, and was sentenced to three years in prison. But he filed an appeal and got a reduced sentence from the Supreme Court.

| AFP

The public opinion on Seungri’s release is mostly negative. While some fear that the ex-idol will resume his career in the entertainment industry, industry experts feel that he wouldn’t be able to do so for a while until his criminal history gets the time to water down in the public’s memory.

@insight.co.kr/Instagram
@insight.co.kr/Instagram
@insight.co.kr/Instagram
@insight.co.kr/Instagram
  • “100% likelihood of a second conviction.”
  • “I’m going to count to three, and you better add three more years to that sentence, or else.”
  • “The length of his sentence always shocks me no matter how many times I read it. Especially when there’s a case of someone being jailed 3 years for stealing ramen.”
  • “Go back to jail.”
  • “I feel like he’s going to come out as determined as ever, in a bad way.”
  • “I just don’t want him crawling back on TV after he thinks enough time has passed.”
  • “So what’s next for him after he’s out? Chances in the entertainment industry are toast for him… which makes me think he’s going to get even eviler in his criminal dealings. People just aren’t meant to be fixed.”
  • “South Korea, what a great country to live in, eh?~”
  • “I’d rather Shin Jung Hwan than him.”
  • “1 year 6 months, the greatest country.”
  • “I still can’t believe he was charged for 9 things and only got 1 year 6 months.”
  • “While other men were suffering in the army for 1 year 6 months, he was living it up in army jail for 1 year 6 months ㅋㅋㅋㅋ.”
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