BigBang's TOP in hospital after being found unconscious: Reports

SEOUL – South Korean band BigBang’s rapper, TOP, was found unconscious on Tuesday (June 6) morning from an apparent drug overdose, according to Korean news agency Yonhap.

His management company, YG Entertainment, said the 29-year-old, whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, is receiving treatment in an intensive care unit at a Seoul hospital.

According to Yonhap, Korean police officials had said that Choi appeared to have overdosed on tranquilisers that he had been taking for medical reasons.

Another Korean media outlet, Soompi, cited a source from YG Entertainment who said that the K-pop star has yet to regain consciousness.

This incident comes a day after the singer was prosecuted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana.

The rapper had apparently admitted to two instances of smoking marijuana, but denied two other instances of smoking liquid marijuana.

Choi had been serving his mandatory military service in the police force at Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, but due to the charges, he has been transferred to a different unit.

His military service will be put on hold until a court reaches a verdict, Yonhap said.

Should he receive a sentence of more than 18 months, he will be dishonorably discharged from national service.

However, if his sentence is anything shorter than 18 months – which also includes a verdict of not guilty - he will be required to complete the remainder of his service.

Marijuana is banned in South Korea and in punishable with a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won (S$61,648). AGENCIES