Troy Leader Bumkey Reportedly Faces Up To 5 Years In Prison On Drug Charges

One of Korea's most prolific hip hop artists will spend up to five years in prison if Korean courts find him guilty on drug dealing charges.

On April 16, prosecutors requested that Bumkey, solo artist and leader of K-pop group Troy, receive five years of jail time and a fine of 570 million KRW (around $523,000.) The rapper was first brought to trial in November 2014, on charges relating to the distribution of drugs like Ecstasy and Philopon, a drug related to crystal meth.

Korean outlet The Fact reported that the prosecution requested the sentence due to Bumkey's violation of Korea's drug management laws.

Throughout the trial, Bumkey has stated that he is not guilty.

Using and selling drugs is illegal in South Korea, and Bumkey was charged for allegedly selling six grams of Philopon and ten Ecstasy pills to acquaintances. The charges also included Bumkey taking Ecstasy on at least two occasions in 2012 and 2013.

As a hip-hop artist, Bumkey gained public attention in 2005 as a featured artist on Dynamic Duo's "Love Is" and continued a prolific career through 2014. In 2014, he became the leader of a new hip-hop idol group, Troy.

In recent years, several Korean musicians have been involved in drug related cases. DMTN member Daniel was sentenced on marijuana distribution charges in 2013, and 2014 brought to light a drug case related to 2NE1 member Park Bom. Rapper and former member of Supreme Team, E Sens, was sentenced to two years probation in 2012 for smoking marijuana and in 2011, Big Bang leader G-Dragon was indicted, but not charged, for using marijuana after a hair test turned up a weak positive for the drug.

It is unclear what will happen to Troy if Bumkey is sentenced to a full five year prison term. He has not been removed from the group's profile on Brand New Music's official website.

Regarding the charges, Bumkey's agency Brand New Music stated: "We think unfortunately about the fact that our company's artist, Bumkey, is being involved in a drug-related issue, and we would like to sincerely apologize to the fans.

Bumkey is saying all the charges and related issues are groundless, and Brand New Music will reveal everything clearly through the judicial process."

Tags
Bumkey
Troy
Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Gallery

Real Time Analytics