YG Entertainment has demonstrated restraint on countless occasions when Korean media and fans have demanded answers to questions regarding its artists. This same level of restraint was recently implemented following the September 12 accident involving Big Bang's Seungri (Lee Seung Hyun).

On September 24, various media outlets including Enews began to report that Seungri was initially hospitalized in the ICU, following his motor vehicle accident. These reports followed an official statement provided to the media by a representative for YG Entertainment.

In previous reports, including a statement issued four days following the accident, representatives expressed that his injuries were not serious.

YG Entertainment followed up this announcement with an update on September 25 which announced that Seungri would be discharged from the hospital, later in that day. The statement also said that Seungri would continue to receive outpatient treatment, following his discharge. 

The September 12 motor vehicle accident involved a Porche owned by Seungri, which collided with a Mercedes Benz on Seoul's North Riverside Expressway.

The accident remains under police investigation, with Korean media initially reporting conflicting details. While many details remain unclear, YG Entertainment immediately provided clarification following the accident, that Seungri was not driving while under the influence of alcohol.

According to reports on September 16, Seungri initially was placed into an ambulance, then decided to return home.

A statement provided by YG Entertainment on September 16 clarified his decision to delay medical care. In an English translation provided by Soompi a representative for YG Entertainment stated, “Seungri was in shock at the time and was focused on his flight departure schedule. However, he was sent back to the hospital after experiencing abdominal pain.”

This abdominal pain was later attributed to an injury Seungri sustained to his liver.

On September 24, fans began to express their sadness, as media outlets began to reveal that Seungri was previously within the ICU but was later transfered to the general ward. Many fans expressed mixed emotions, criticizing YG for the lack of detailed information regarding Seungri's health.

It should be noted that news of his ICU stay came twelve days after the accident and after YG Entertainment had stated that he would only be in the hospital for a week.

Numerous forum users on the site Big Bang Updates expressed suspicion regarding the delayed news update. User Jinasrfjj had the top comment with the statement, “Feels like YG is hiding something. Hope everything is okay with Seungri. Get well soon.”

Users on the forum then began to debate the motivation behind YG Entertainment's delay in releasing information regarding Seungri's state of health. Many fans grew suspicious of news regarding Seungri's health state when photos allegedly depicting his wrecked car were revealed.

While it may appear suspicious to fans and many members of the media, the individual's right to privacy should be considered in this situation. The rights of family members, regarding privacy is also just as important.

Seungri's September 12 motor vehicle accident almost immediately followed the September 3 accident involving girl group Ladies' Code which claimed the life of EunB at the scene and another member, RiSe, four days later.

Polaris Entertainment, the representative agency for Ladies' Code, diligently provided fans with updates regarding the members of Ladies' Code. The agency continues to provide health information for the three surviving members. However, this health information has been released with the permission of the members of Ladies' Code and their families.

While it is disconcerting for Seungri fans to hear that his life may have been threatened, the news is tempered by the positive news that he has been transferred to a general ward. The news of his ICU stay may be shocking but it can now be regarding as an unfortunate past event.

In the current 24-hour media cycle which includes celebrity news driven by paparazzi, it seems impossible that this news did not break sooner. The sentiment that fans demand the right to know information regarding their favorite celebrities also helps to fuel the feeding frenzy to invade an idol's privacy.

In regards to privacy, other headlines on September 24 included the relationship reveal of Super Junior's Sungmin, dating rumors between the stars of “It's Okay, That's Love”, and news regarding K-Drama actress Ha Ga In who had a miscarriage in May.

It is the responsibility of reporters to obtain news and to deliver this news in a timely manner. However, there are countless instances where sharing in the human experience allows empathy towards the celebrity and their loved ones.

If the delay of information was at the request of Seungri and his loved ones, YG Entertainment should be applauded not criticized. From the perspective of a reporter, it will be interesting to see what information will be revealed regarding the cause of the accident, to help prevent other similar accidents.

As someone who enjoys his music and the artistry of Big Bang, it is with great hope that Seungri will get well soon

Do fans and the media have the right to know information without permission from the idol or his family?

Do you think this is a case where YG Entertainment exercised caution by protecting Seungri's health information? Should they have revealed the severity of his accident sooner? Comment below.

---

All views expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of KpopStarz.