Korean singer PSY, best known worldwide for his 2012 hit “Gangnam Style,” is currently under a serious police investigation over how he obtained prescription sleeping medication. Authorities are examining whether he and his doctor violated South Korea’s strict medical laws. As per reports, his doctor issued remote prescriptions and allowed his manager to pick up controlled drugs on his behalf.
The case centers on actions dating from 2022 up until recently. Police believe PSY, whose real name is Park Jae Sang, received prescriptions for the psychotropic medications Xanax and Stilnox from a Seoul university hospital without appearing for required in-person consultations.
Investigators suspect that instead of collecting the medication himself, PSY had his manager pick it up. This practice is allowed only in very limited situations under Korean law. Although telemedicine has been permitted since the COVID-19 pandemic, controlled substances like these typically require direct, face-to-face oversight.
A police tip triggered the investigation and led officers to raid the hospital in August to secure all medical records. The case intensified on December 4, when Seoul’s Seodaemun Police Station carried out compulsory searches of PSY’s agency, P Nation, as well as his vehicle.
During the search, police seized PSY’s mobile phone and are now performing digital forensics to examine data related to non-face-to-face consultations and potential proxy prescriptions. According to internal agency records and phone data, investigators are considering summoning the singer for formal questioning soon.
Regarding the search, the agency stated,
It is true that a search and seizure was carried out on December 4. We cooperated fully with the authorities’ request, and we will continue to take any necessary measures in accordance with legal procedures. Because the investigation is still ongoing, it is difficult to provide detailed answers at this time.
The doctor who issued the prescriptions, referred to as Professor A, has been booked for allegedly violating the Medical Service Act. He denies wrongdoing and insists that all consultations were legitimate remote treatments. Police are continuing to review whether the circumstances meet the legal requirements for telemedicine.
His agency responded with a partially apologetic stance. P Nation has admitted that having a manager pick up the medication was “a clear mistake and oversight” and is cooperating fully with investigators. However, the agency strongly maintains there was no “proxy prescription,” explaining that the prescriptions were issued properly in PSY’s name for his own medical treatment.
They emphasized that PSY has a chronic sleep disorder and took the medication strictly within the prescribed dosage under medical guidance, without any improper use.
P Nation also stated that after COVID-19, PSY continued remote treatment due to his hectic schedule. They acknowledged there was “an aspect of complacency” in relying on non-face-to-face prescriptions for so long.
The investigation is drawing widespread attention as it comes amid heightened scrutiny over celebrities and medical law violations, following cases such as comedian Park Na Rae’s.
Since Xanax and Stilnox carry risks of dependence, they are tightly regulated in South Korea, and violations of the Medical Service Act can lead to penalties of up to one year in prison or fines of up to 10 million won (about 7,500 USD).
