Former BIGBANG member Seungri (real name Lee Seung Hyun) has officially left Korea to explore new ventures in China.
Although Seungri was recently seen spending time with acquaintances in Seoul, it has now been confirmed that he flew to China last month.
In late February, Seungri held a gathering in Cheongdam-dong with industry figures and business associates, sparking some attention.
Sources close to him now reveal that he traveled to China to explore fresh business opportunities.
An insider shared with MyDaily on April 2, “Seungri had been in Korea until recently, but last month he flew to China. He hasn’t revealed specific plans yet, but he is still deeply interested in the entertainment industry and is looking into various new ventures.”
The source continued, “He has no plans to return to Korea for activities at this time. Given the public scrutiny and harsh opinions, he has no intention of returning to his previous career. However, he is looking into the entertainment industry in China, where he believes he can thrive, and he is likely using his connections to make this happen.”
While Seungri is still associated with the Burning Sun scandal in Korea, which continues to affect his reputation, he reportedly keeps in touch with some people he once worked with, including the third-generation heir of a major Korean company.
Another source close to Seungri explained, “It’s true he has distanced himself from the BIGBANG members, but he is still on good terms with people from his past. He has been casually discussing business ideas with them, and now he’s in China looking for new opportunities.”
Seungri’s controversial past remains a shadow over his career. He was at the center of the Burning Sun scandal in 2019, leading to his departure from BIGBANG. He faced nine charges, including habitual gambling, prostitution, filming crimes, and embezzlement. After being sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, he was released in February 2023 after serving his time.
However, his behavior after his release has continued to draw criticism. Last year, Seungri made headlines again when he suggested bringing G-Dragon to a restaurant event in Cambodia and performed BIGBANG songs at small gatherings, further upsetting the public. His partying lifestyle with no visible signs of remorse sparked more backlash.
Seungri also caused a stir in China when he appeared at a nightclub in Hangzhou on March 18. Chinese media outlets like Sohu.com reported, “He arrived with bodyguards, kept his head down, and remained silent. Despite this, many fans screamed and watched him.”
Chinese netizens expressed their displeasure, with some comments reading, “Foreign criminals shouldn’t be allowed in,” “Why let someone like this into China?” and “He’s gained so much weight since his BIGBANG days.”
Source (1)
