BIGBANG's Seungri Announces He is Retiring From The Entertainment Industry

Amid current controversies, BIGBANG's Seungri has announced he is retiring from the entertainment industry.

In a statement shared on his Instagram on March 11 he stated:

"At this point, I think it would be best if I retire from the entertainment industry. I decided on retiring from the entertainment industry as the issues that I caused a societal disturbance with are too major. Regarding the issues that are being investigated, I will be investigated diligently and reveal all the suspicions.

Receiving criticism and hate from the public for the past month and a half, and with all the investigative agencies in the country currently investigating me, I am even being cornered as a traitor of the nation. I personally cannot tolerate causing harm to everyone around me in order to save myself.

I sincerely thank all of the fans in and outside of Korea who have given me lots of love for the past 10 years, and I think this is where I stop, even if it’s at least [to protect] the honour of YG and BIGBANG.

Again, I am sorry and apologise once again. I have been thankful to everyone until now."
You can read the original statement below.

View this post on Instagram

승리입니다 제가 이시점에서 연예계를 은퇴를하는것이 좋을거같습니다. 사회적 물의를 일으킨 사안이 너무나 커 연예계 은퇴를 결심했습니다 수사중인 사안에 있어서는 성실하게 조사를 받아 쌓인 모든 의혹을 밝히도록 하겠습니다. 지난 한달반동안 국민들로부터 질타받고 미움받고 지금 국내 모든 수사기관들이 저를 조사하고 있는 상황에서 국민역적 으로까지 몰리는 상황인데 저 하나 살자고 주변 모두에게 피해주는일은 도저히 제스스로가 용납이 안됩니다 지난 10여 년간 많은 사랑을 베풀어준 국내외 많은 팬분들께 모든 진심을 다해 감사드리며 와이지와 빅뱅 명예를 위해서라도 저는 여기까지인거같습니다 다시한번 죄송하고 또 죄송합니다 그동안 모든분들께 감사했습니다

A post shared by @seungriseyo on Mar 11, 2019 at 1:39am PDT

According to Korean news, a source at YG revealed that "Seungri's retirement announcement was not a decision made after consulting with YG, but a decision made on his own".

The investigations involving Seungri are ongoing and include him being suspected of allegedly providing sexual escort services to foreign investors, and sharing illegally taken footage and photos.