'Gangnam Style' hitmaker arrested

Singer and rapper Psy - the man behind the billion-view hit 'Gangnam Style' - has been investigated by police for allegedly violating medical laws, Yonhap News reported.

Accordingly, Seoul Seodaemun Police Station is investigating the owner of the hit Gangnam Style (real name Park Jae-sang, stage name Psy) and a university hospital doctor after arresting them for allowing a third party (including the artist's manager) to illegally obtain prescription drugs instead of directly treating them.

Psy is accused of receiving psychotropic drugs without any direct examination.

PHOTO: BILLBOARD

Psy is accused of receiving psychotropic drugs Xanax and Stilnox from a university hospital in Seoul without direct examination from 2022 until recently.

Police are said to have discovered suspicious circumstances through an anonymous tip-off as well as surprise inspections of the university hospital to collect relevant medical records.

Xanax and Stilnox are psychotropic drugs used to treat sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression. They are known to have a high risk of dependence and addiction, so in-person consultations and prescriptions are required. Psy's doctor has reportedly denied these allegations, insisting that his patients are treated remotely.

Psy's management company, P Nation, also issued an apology shortly afterwards, saying that receiving prescription sleeping pills through someone else was a "clear mistake and error." The statement said: "Psy has been diagnosed with a chronic sleep disorder and is taking sleeping pills as prescribed by his doctor."

"There have been cases where sleeping pills were obtained by a third party and the police are currently investigating," the agency said, adding that there was no intentional wrongdoing. It also denied rumors of the artist's "drug addiction," stating, "The use of sleeping pills was done in the correct dosage."

Under Korean law, psychotropic drugs can only be prescribed after direct consultation with a doctor, and patients are usually required to collect the drugs themselves. Only in very limited cases, such as through immediate family members or caregivers, is receiving on behalf of others allowed.

Police have collected medical records through searches and seizures at the hospital and are continuing to investigate.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chu-nhan-hit-gangnam-style-bi-bat-185250828113143898.htm