Content Warning: The following article contains discussions on illegal substances.
South Korean idol and Pambansang Krungkrung Sandara Park, also known as Dara, briefly addressed allegations made by fellow 2NE1 member Park Bom.
On her Instagram Story, Dara firmly denied Bom’s claim that she had been involved in drug use and that Bom was used as a cover-up.
“I have never used drugs. I wish her well,” Dara wrote in both Korean and English.
On Tuesday, March 3, Bom shared a handwritten letter on Instagram reflecting on her 2014 drug controversy. She was previously accused of importing Adderall into South Korea in 2010, but prosecutors suspended the case after determining the medication had been legally prescribed for treatment.
In the now-deleted post, Bom alleged that she was used to divert attention from Dara’s supposed drug use.
“It is not a drug. I am an ADD patient, something called Attention Deficit Disorder. Sandara Park was caught for drug abuse, and to cover that up, they turned the medication into something labeled as a drug scandal involving me,” Bom wrote.
READ: 2NE1’s Park Bom claims she was framed to hide Sandara Park’s alleged drug use
Toward the end of her letter, Bom appealed to the public and directly addressed individuals and institutions connected to her career, including another 2NE1 member, CL.
“To the citizens online, I sincerely ask that you please investigate the facts as they are. And lastly, what I truly want to say is this: YG Entertainment, Yang Hyun Suk, Teddy Park, and Lee Chaerin (CL), please do not report to the authorities that Park Bom used more than the prescribed amount of a drug that you yourselves have not used even once in 30 years," she added.
The post quickly went viral, dividing fans and netizens over the situation between the group members. In a report by Korean media outlet OSEN, a “close associate” of Bom said the letter was written while the singer was in an unstable condition.
“We became aware of the content shortly before this. As you know, this incident occurred due to Park Bom’s unstable health condition. We ask for your understanding,” the source said.
Bom has suspended activities since August last year due to health concerns. At the time, her agency, D-Nation Entertainment, said: “As medical staff recently advised that she needs sufficient rest and stability, we have inevitably decided to halt her activities after thorough discussion.”
Fans online have since expressed concern about the well-being of both Dara and Bom, with many sending messages of support and well wishes to the two artists. Some fans also noticed that Dara unfollowed Bom on Instagram earlier today, March 4.
Meanwhile, CL and YG Entertainment, their group’s agency, has yet to release their statement as of this writing.