Rapper Yang Hong-won (27) is drawing attention for mentioning rapper Ksmartboi (real name Kim Sang-min, 22), a labelmate who was taken into custody for marijuana use.
On the 20th, Yang posted a photo on his social media story that appeared to be taken inside a vehicle heading toward the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center. He tagged Ksmartboi background music," hinting that he was on his way to see Kim.
Yang also wrote, "My younger brother Sangmin. You need to get beaten up by your hyung once, you know that right? Your hyung really hits," expressing his intention to give a stern lecture to his junior who caused a social controversy and disappointed fans.
Previously, Kim was detained on the 16th on charges of smoking marijuana during his probation period. Yang Eun-sang, the chief warrant judge at the Seoul Western District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Kim after conducting a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) for charges under the Narcotics Control Act (marijuana), stating that there is a risk of flight and destruction of evidence. Kim is accused of using liquid marijuana, and the Seoul Mapo Police Station obtained an arrest warrant from the court to arrest him on the 14th before applying for a formal arrest warrant the following day.
Kim belongs to Indigo Music, led by rapper Swings (Moon Ji-hoon, 39), and previously has a confirmed criminal record for smoking marijuana. In April of last year, the second instance court sentenced him to eight months in prison with a two-year probation for smoking marijuana with an acquaintance in a parking lot in Seoul in May 2024. The first instance trial court pointed out regarding Kim, "Even though he has a record of receiving a suspension of indictment for the same type of crime, he committed the offense again. The nature of the crime is poor as it was committed in a public place."
Kim's current detention comes approximately one year and five months after he was caught again for the same offense before his probation period had ended.
Back in January, Kim appeared on the YouTube channel "SPNS TV" alongside his agency's head, Swings, to mention the controversy caused by his marijuana use at the time. At the time, Swings expressed deep trust, sharing, "When Sangmin caused trouble, he left a handwritten letter in front of my house saying, 'I am sorry for losing trust in you.' Among the about six people from our agency who went to a detention center, he was the first one to step up and say sorry like that."
In April, Kim joined the diss battle between rapper BIG Naughty and Swings, releasing "Naughty Talk + VANCOUVER FLOW" alongside GGM Kimbo and Rich Iggy, where lyrics such as "Put BIG Naughty in the toilet and flush him down" drew significant attention.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)