Big Bang’s T.O.P arrives for marijuana trial

Big Bang’s T.O.P  (from Reuters video)

SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) — T.O.P, a member of South Korean boyband Big Bang, arrived at the Seoul Central District Court on Thursday (June 29) for the first hearing of a drug trial.

T.O.P, whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, was indicted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana in October last year, South Korea’s news agency Yonhap said. He could face a maximum five years jail term or an up to 50 million won ($44,503 USD) fine if found guilty.

Ahead of the court session, he said he deeply regretted his behavior and would accept any punishment handed down to him.

Earlier this month, T.O.P was admitted into the emergency ward with a low level of consciousness after he was found overdosed with benzodiazepine, a drug typically used to treat anxiety or depression, according to his doctor.