"Held the bottle but didn't swing it"... BIGBANG's Seungri speaks out on drinking photo [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Seungri, a former member of the group BIGBANG, who is facing police investigation on charges of aggravated assault, has been told that photos reportedly taken on the day of the incident are not authentic.

On the 13th, photos of Seungri taken with acquaintances at a bar were shared on SNS platforms including ONLINE community. In the released images, Seungri is seen posing toward the camera while wearing a black cap and T-shirt. On the table are a birthday cake, side dishes, and several bottles of soju.

Speculation arose that the photos were taken on the day of the incident. However, according to Daily Sports, Seungri denied this, stating they were "photos taken at a different gathering with acquaintances."

Seungri is reported to have been indicted in August on charges of aggravated assault. He claimed that on August 8, while dining with acquaintances at a sundae-guk (pork offal soup) restaurant in Gangnam, an intoxicated customer named A requested to join their table.

Despite Seungri politely declining, A refused to leave the table and insisted on making a business proposal, leading to an argument. Seungri later explained that he stayed with A, drank together, built a personal relationship, and even exchanged contact information. He expressed confusion over the sudden change in A's attitude, who then filed a complaint alleging victimization. On August 26, A filed a criminal complaint against Seungri for aggravated assault at Seoul Gangnam Police Station.

Regarding the charge of aggravated assault, Seungri stated, "It is true that I held a bottle after expressing my intention not to sit with them, but I did not swing it or threaten anyone."

Seungri indicated that he has collected text messages exchanged with A, CCTV footage from the restaurant, and witness statements, and pledged full cooperation with the police investigation. The police plan to verify the exact facts based on the complaint details and Seungri's account.

Meanwhile, although Seungri was widely loved as a member of BIGBANG, he was expelled from the entertainment industry in 2019 after becoming involved in what became known as the Burning Sun scandal. He was found guilty on all nine charges: soliciting prostitution and engaging in prostitution, violation of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence, habitual gambling, violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, violation of the Food Sanitation Act, embezzlement in the course of duty, embezzlement under the Special Aggravated Crimes Punishment Act, and instigation of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. After serving his full sentence at Yeosu Detention Center, he was released upon completion of his term.

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*This content was translated by AI.