Where’s Seungri Now? Latest Sightings of Former BIGBANG Member Spark Mixed Reactions From K-Pop Fans
On February 9, former BIGBANG member Seungri was released from prison after serving 18 months for charges including prostitution, prostitution mediation, embezzlement, and habitual gambling, as well as food safety and foreign exchange law violations.
Then, on March 22, Dispatch reported that he was spotted in Thailand with model and influencer Yoo Hye Won. Neither Seungri nor Yoo commented on the speculations; Though, following the media attention, Yoo threatened legal action against malicious commenters via her Instagram, where she had initially shared pictures from Thailand—all of which have since been removed.
Dispatch Reports That Seungri Was Spotted At A Hotel In Thailand With Influencer
Seungri’s latest sightings come from business woman and digital creator (also well known as the daughter of Indonesian billionaire) Grace Tahir‘s Instagram updates.
While sharing Instagram Stories of her trip to South Korea, Grace caught Seungri demonstrating how to serve drinks “whirlpool style.” The clip, highlighted on Grace’s Instagram account under “Korea Info” and circulating on other social media platforms like Twitter, showed the former idol living his non-celeb life.
Seungri is back! This video is taken from @gtahirs ' instagram story#SEUNGRI #BIGBANG #VIP pic.twitter.com/EqoTprLDy1
— Jonathan R (@JonathanRaynard) April 21, 2023
She also shared a picture with him, asking, “Does anyone know who this K-Pop figure is?” which confirmed the cameo’s past career.
Grace’s stories have since sparked mixed reactions from K-Pop fans. In general, Koreans remained unchanged in their opinions of the former idol with a criminal record—especially a sexual one.
- “Best if we don’t give him attention at all.”
- “How comedic, LMAO.”
- “WTF?”
- “People don’t change. I’m never going to believe that people can change.”
- “Just blurted out, ‘This is f*cking bullsh*t.’“
- “…”
- “What the f*ck? This is COMEDY. I can’t believe he’s still doing that.”
- “Watching him makes my blood boil.”
- “Ugh, ew. He makes me sick to my stomach.”
- “After committing all of those heinous crimes…? What a JOKE. I hate humans.”
- “BARF. It looks like he’s living his best life after being released from prison.”
- “;;;”
- “Wow. This b*stard has not regretted a single thing. Look how plump he got. You can tell.”
- “BRB, I have to throw up.”
On the other hand, a lot of international fans shared their happiness to see Seungri out and about, back on track, and doing well.
Following the online buzz, Grace herself took to Instagram again and addressed the concerns that she had received via DMs. While expressing that she had not expected so much reactions for hanging out with Seungri—who was said to be doing “well, physically and mentally,” Grace explained…
…that she isn’t afraid of the backlash because “he’s now a free man.”
Grace seemed to agree that Seungri “fell victim to bad Korean media.”
…if you go to jail [in Korea for sexual crimes], it’s really hard to [be forgiven]. Even your neighbors will be notified of your photo and your history. Finding work will also be difficult. In Korea, social sanctions are very high.
— Grace Tahir
Regardless, in Korea, Seungri remains one of the celebrities believed to never be allowed to return to the entertainment world—and so his sightings, no matter when and with whom, continue to be controversial.
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