PSY Under Investigation for Potential Prescription Drug Violation
Seoul police confirmed on Thursday that they’re looking into allegations involving PSY, the well-known pop star from the US, regarding his 2012 hit “Gangnam Style.” The investigation centers on potential violations of prescription drug laws.
South Korean media reported that authorities are gathering information related to claims that PSY procured two psychotropic medications, Xanax and Stillknox, without meeting doctors in person. It seems a third party may have picked up the prescriptions for him. This case could prompt discussions about telehealth access and what is permissible for doctors.
The situation reportedly originated in 2022, when PSY, whose real name is Park Jae Sang, began acquiring medication from a university hospital in Seoul through intermediaries. According to the Korean News Agency, there’s some ambiguity about whose name appeared on the prescription; it was suggested that PSY may have consulted doctors remotely.
“The Seoul Sodaemun Police Station is also investigating a doctor who prescribed these drugs under suspicion of violating the Medical Services Act,” a report stated. “Police are actively pursuing the case and have obtained the hospital’s medical records.”
As it stands, both PSY and his healthcare providers have been officially booked, though investigations are ongoing. South Korea did expand telehealth services after the pandemic, yet it explicitly banned the prescription of medications like Xanax through virtual consultations. There have been instances where celebrities faced jail time under similar circumstances.
PSY hasn’t addressed the situation directly, but his agency, P Nation, acknowledged that he had a third party pick up the medications. They described this as “a lapse in judgment,” asserting that PSY has legitimate medical needs and denied any “proxy prescription” allegations.
“PSY is diagnosed with chronic sleep disorders and is taking sleeping pills as prescribed,” the agency claimed. “There wasn’t any substitute prescription; it’s just that third parties sometimes picked up medications for him.”
After leaving YG Entertainment, PSY launched P Nation in 2018. Additionally, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) expressed concerns about the use of third-party prescriptions, labeling it a serious issue that could jeopardize public safety.
“We will thoroughly examine the case through an expert review and urge authorities to strictly enforce the law,” the statement read. “As telehealth continues to grow, it’s essential to discuss measures for safe prescription drug use, especially regarding psychotropic medications.”
PSY reached global fame in 2012 when “Gangnam Style” became one of the most viewed videos on YouTube, earning over a billion views.
In Korea, he remains widely popular, having recently appeared on Apple TV+’s reality show, kpopped. Notably, PSY performed for free at an event celebrating the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule, gaining nationwide praise. He explained that he turned down payment to focus on improving the performance with better special effects.
Interestingly, PSY has found himself intertwined in controversies before. He was mentioned in connection with the “Burning Sun” scandal, involving a nightclub associated with YG Entertainment, which was accused of illicit activities. This scandal severely impacted the career of former CEO Yang Hyun-Suk.
PSY publicly clarified that he attended a dinner with Malaysian businessman “Jho Low” and Yang, asserting his early departure and lack of involvement in any unlawful activities.
“When Jho Low and his friends visited, Yang and I were invited to dinner. It was just a gathering with distant acquaintances. I apologize for the concern this has caused,” he said.
