Former BIGBANG member Lee Seung-hyun (이승현), known as Seungri, is currently under investigation after a man in his 30s, identified as “Mr. A,” accused him of assault, threats, and unlawful confinement during an altercation at a restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Police have accepted the case and launched an investigation, with relevant CCTV footage now made public. However, Seungri’s representatives deny the allegations, admitting to a verbal dispute after refusing Mr. A’s request to join tables and acknowledging Seungri picked up a soju bottle, but insist he did not swing it or threaten anyone. Both parties reportedly exchanged text messages afterward. With conflicting accounts, police are conducting further inquiries.
According to Korean media reports, Mr. A recently filed a complaint against Seungri and others with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station. He claims that in the early hours of the 8th, while drinking alone at a restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, he was assaulted, threatened, and had his movement restricted by Seungri and his companions.
CCTV footage shows Mr. A sitting alone while Seungri and two other men stand around him, seemingly encircling him. At one point, Seungri is seen picking up a soju bottle from the table and extending his arm, with someone nearby stepping in to stop him. The footage later shows Seungri appearing to kick an object.
Shortly after, Seungri again picked up a soju bottle and made a swinging motion with his arm. JTBC reported that similar actions occurred several times afterward.
In an interview, Mr. A stated, “Three people stood blocking the exit, preventing me from leaving, and waved a soju bottle to threaten me.” He further claimed that on one occasion, when he tried to block and grab the bottle with his hand, his hand was attacked.
Additionally, Mr. A alleged that Seungri’s group initiated the dispute over a “photo” issue. He accused Seungri of asking him, “Do you also think I’m a loser?” and then mentioning content related to organized crime, saying threatening remarks like, “Killing you is not difficult at all.” Mr. A stated he felt threatened because Seungri brought up organized crime.
However, Seungri’s representatives presented a completely different account. They stated that Mr. A initially approached them, asking to join tables under the pretense of having “business ideas.” They claim the verbal dispute only occurred after this request was denied, refuting Mr. A’s allegations of being cornered and threatened.
Regarding the soju bottle, Seungri’s representatives admitted to Seungri picking it up but emphasized there was no physical contact with Mr. A, nor did he swing the bottle to threaten him. Furthermore, Seungri’s representatives pointed out that both parties remained in contact via text messages after the drinking session concluded that day, thereby denying the accusations of assault and intimidation.
Seungri was previously identified as a key figure in the “Burning Sun Scandal” and was indicted on nine charges, including habitual gambling and arranging prostitution. He was ultimately sentenced to one year and six months in prison, serving his term and being released in February 2023.
Currently, the accounts from Mr. A and Seungri in this incident differ significantly, and the related allegations require further clarification. Police are expected to summon Mr. A after the holiday period for a detailed investigation into the events. Whether the incident involved actual assault or threatening behavior remains subject to the police investigation results.
