K-pop star Park Bom, formerly a member of the now disbanded girl group 2NE1, has said she is struggling with Attention Deficit Disorder.
Yesterday, PD Note, a controversial South Korean investigative journalism show on TV channel MBC, aired an episode about a drug smuggling scandal that Park was involved in four years ago.
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In the episode of PD Note, a lawyer said it was “unusual” for an amphetamine charge not to be pursued.
In 2014, news broke that Park had allegedly tried in 2010 to smuggle 82 capsules of amphetamines from the US, where she had previously lived, into South Korea by mail.
Bom’s management company, YG Entertainment, issued a statement at the time saying that the medication had been prescribed to her by an American university hospital to treat a psychological condition caused by childhood trauma.
After the episode of PD Note aired, Park’s name (박봄) began trending across Korean search engines.
Park Bom is trending on naver and melon rn
Today, in an interview with Sports Kyunghyang, Park has spoken about the drug smuggling scandal for the first time, saying that the medication she was taking was Adderall for her ADD.
“I’ve truly never done drugs,” Park said. “I have a personal illness.”
Fans have been showing their support for Park speaking out about mental health as the topic is stigmatised in South Korea.
“If you understand me a little, I can sing again.“- Park Bom I'M NOT CRYING, YOU ARE. SHE'S COMING BACK AND I COULDNT BE ANYMORE PROUD OF HER FOR STANDING UP ❤😭 #박봄제발내버려두세요
The only thing that matters right now is 1. Park Bom 2. Park Bom's mental health 3. Park Bom's happiness Anything that's not listed is cancelled until further notice.
We will support you Queen Park Bom @haroobomkum Sing!!! Sing!!! Let your voice be heard again!
They started sharing the hashtag "Leave Park Bom alone" to show their solidarity.
Imagine being Bom: Suffered from mental illness, sought help from professional doctors, got prescribed medication, and ended up getting backlash and humiliation from the public. If you stand with the truth and think mental health is important, speak up! #박봄제발내버려두세요 https://t.co/35YRTf2nHh
Leave Park Bom alone! Yall have destroyed her life enough. Enough is enough! #박봄제발내버려두세요
On June 30th, 2014 Park Bom had her voice taken away from her. On April 26th, 2018 Park Bom broke her silence. #WeAreWithBOM #박봄과함께앞으로가자
We are going to stream and support Park Bom’s comeback and THAT is THAT.