'KPOPPED' avoided providing a direct answer regarding the controversy surrounding the performer Psy's proxy receipt of sleeping pills.
On the morning of the 29th, a video interview with Lee Yeon-kyu, the producer of the Apple TV+ music competition series 'KPOPPED,' was held via online live broadcast.
'KPOPPED' is a music competition series that features top K-Pop artists teaming up with international pop stars to present new interpretations of each other's hit songs. It gained attention with the participation of Psy, who created a global sensation with his hit song 'Gangnam Style,' and Grammy award-winning superstar Megan Thee Stallion, and K-Pop representative groups alongside international pop stars present unprecedented collaborative performances.
Korean girl group ITZY and the legendary girl group Spice Girls, along with artists from completely different backgrounds and musical worlds such as KISS OF LIFE and Ava Max, and Ateez and J Balvin, are set to perform bold performances where they reinterpret each other's hit songs. Additionally, timeless classics like Patti LaBelle's 'Lady Marmalade,' Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby,' Kylie Minogue's 'Can't Get You Out of My Head,' and Boyz II Men's 'Motown Philly,' as well as current hits like Megan Thee Stallion's 'Savage' and Ava Max's 'Kings & Queens,' will meet K-Pop to create a transcendent musical experience. Each episode will showcase stages where global stars representing the pop music world and K-Pop stars team up to reinvent legendary songs in entirely different senses.
The controversy surrounding Psy, one of the main performers, was also mentioned in the questions that day.
Earlier, circumstances emerged that Psy had been prescribed psychoactive drugs without receiving direct treatment, leading the police to initiate an investigation, and the agency officially stated its position.
On the 27th, the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station booked Psy and a university hospital professor, identified as A, on charges of violating the Medical Law and launched an investigation.
The police captured clues that Psy received prescriptions for psychoactive drugs, Xanax and Stilnox, at a top hospital in Seoul without undergoing face-to-face consultations since 2022, and that the medication was collected by his manager instead of himself. Consequently, the police began forced investigations, including raiding the hospital to obtain Psy's medical records.
In response, Psy's side said, "It is a clear mistake and oversight to have received a prescription drug, the sleeping pills, by proxy. I apologize." However, they clarified that it was a 'proxy receipt' rather than 'proxy prescribing.' They went on to state, "Singer Psy has been diagnosed with chronic insomnia and is taking sleeping pills as prescribed by medical staff. He has been taking the medication in the prescribed dosage under the guidance of medical personnel, and there was no proxy prescribing. There were instances when sleeping pills were received by a third party, and an investigation is currently ongoing by the police. I apologize once again for causing concern."
Regarding the casting of Psy and Megan Thee Stallion, they commented, "Psy is a singer representing K-Pop, and Megan is a very famous pop star internationally. The individuals who are prominently featured in each team were cast," adding, "Megan was more energetic on-site, and Psy's communication in language was smooth, bringing about witty remarks, and the chemistry was fantastic. The fun and chemistry between the two will be visible in every episode, so we hope you pay close attention. Anyway, the chemistry was excellent."
"Singer Psy is involved in an unfortunate incident, and it is currently difficult to edit. He is likely to be flustered; how does the team view this situation?" In response to this question, the production team said, "It is difficult to answer regarding the personal matters of the performers. We ask for your understanding on this matter," thereby avoiding a direct response.
Regarding editing, producer Lee Yeon-kyu stated, "There is nothing to answer," and moved on without making further comments.
Meanwhile, 'KPOPPED' consists of a total of eight episodes and had its premiere today (29th) on Apple TV+.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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