South Korea’s ‘Gangnam Style’ star Psy faces police probe over drug allegations

Psy, the South Korean pop phenomenon whose song “Gangnam Style” became a global hit in 2012, is under police investigation for allegedly obtaining prescription psychotropic drugs through intermediaries, bypassing required in-person hospital consultations.

The investigation follows a tip-off that Psy had allegedly sent others, including his manager, to collect prescription drugs on his behalf from a university hospital in Seoul since 2022, without attending the requisite consultations.

The medications in question included Xanax, which is prescribed for anxiety disorders, and Stilnox, a sleeping pill used to treat short-term insomnia, the Chosun Biz newspaper reported. Both drugs are strictly regulated in South Korea, with prescriptions and collection generally requiring face-to-face doctor visits due to their high risk of addiction and dependence.

On Thursday, Psy’s management company, P Nation, admitted procedural lapses, saying in a statement: “It was undeniably a mistake and negligence to have a third party pick up prescription sleeping pills on his behalf.”