147-415: Burning Sun may refer to: Burning Sun scandal Burning Sun (EP) , by German power metal band Helloween (2012) or its title track Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Burning Sun . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
294-517: A 29-year-old clubgoer, Kim Sang-kyo, at the Burning Sun nightclub. Kim claimed that on November 24, 2018, during his stay at the Burning Sun, he was assaulted by staff while attempting to help a woman who was being sexually harassed. When the Yeoksam police arrived, Kim was arrested as the assailant and was booked on seven charges, including criminal battery , an indecent act, defamation and
441-667: A bar dispute in December 2015. Witness testimony concluded on July 1, with Seungri's denial of all the charges except one violation of the foreign curency act during gambling in Las Vegas; and the prosecution recommended a five-year sentencing and fine for all the charges. A military prosecutor said of Seungri, "Despite gaining advantages from the crimes, he is shifting the responsibility on another person... Considering his problematic views and attitude regarding sex, he needs to face severe punishment." On May 20 police chief Yoon Gyu-geun
588-532: A business operations violation. The club's scandal was heightened in the media, exacerbated by Seungri's wide popularity and his possible business connections to it. The allegations of sex crimes added to the country's "epidemic" of what is called molka , a Korean word for the online distribution of nonconsensual sex videos taken of women. The scandal became a hotly contested topic among various political parties , who argued over how to handle it. The multilingual Seungri – who has multiple business interests –
735-487: A court date for Yoo on October 14, the questioning of duplicate witnesses for both the civilian trial and military trial for Seungri was discussed. On November 27, a trial court sentenced Yang Hyun-suk to a 15 million won (US$ 13,600) fine for some twenty Las Vegas gambling charges between July 2015 and January 2019; along with three YG Entertainment and affiliated company YGX associates, a 37-year-old Kim and 41-year-old Lee were also fined 15 million won, and 48-year-old Keum
882-454: A diagnosis of poisoning or assist in the forensic investigation of a traffic or other criminal violation or a sudden death. Some drug abuse screening programs rely on hair, saliva, or sweat as specimens. Most commercial amphetamine immunoassay screening tests cross-react significantly with MDMA or its major metabolites, but chromatographic techniques can easily distinguish and separately measure each of these substances. The concentrations of MDA in
1029-558: A fine, along with three YG and YGX associates. Seungri's case concluded in January 2022 in a military appeals court, with a reduced prison sentence of one year and a half and a fine. The nine charges included habitual gambling overseas and illegal money transactions, prostitution mediation and purchase, violence instigation, violation of the Specific Economic Crimes Act, embezzlement, sharing illicit photos, and
1176-416: A former police officer named Kang to cover for an underage clubgoer incident. However, Kang's one-year prison sentence was overturned for lack of evidence. Also, a well-publicized case involved a senior police official, Yoon Gyu-geun, who was arrested for allegations of bribery and mediating favors for the Burning Sun club and others, which ended with an innocent verdict at his first trial. Among other verdicts,
1323-469: A friend of his, was the operator of the club and in charge, while Seungri's name was used for marketing, after his initial investment of 10 million won (around US$ 8,800). In the interview, Seungri said the breakdown of Burning Sun's shares were as follows: owners of Le Méridien Seoul, 42 percent; Lee Sung-hyun (CEO of Le Méridien Seoul), 8 percent; Yuri Holdings, 20 percent, Madam Lin (Taiwanese investor), 20 percent; and Lee Moon-ho, 10 percent. Monkey Museum
1470-433: A hallway, and alleged to have been drugged. A KBS report soon added that an alleged former employee had talked about illegal drug use in the club's VIP rooms. An additional report by MBC , on February 14, included allegations of a purported VIP client of the club, who said staff solicited him in text messages, offering women who were available for sex, after readying them with date rape drugs . He claimed to have received
1617-464: A hard-worker by his fans. Lee pointed out the irony of Seungri's having been found to be thoroughly comparable to The Great Gatsby protagonist, not only for his good looks, business acumen, and lavish parties, but because both had sought "illicit and corrupt activities to gain fame and wealth." Just before the scandal broke, Seungri had released his first solo Korean language studio album in July 2018, and
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#17327873989361764-403: A hold of the main [rooms] 3 and 4 at the [club] Arena. We have guests from Taiwan". After confirming arrangements with a man surnamed Kim, Seungri asked, "And what about the girls? [Give them] the easy girls." Yoo answered, "I'm getting the prostitutes ready, so if you get two prostitutes, then lead them to the hotel rooms. Two is good?" On International Women's Day , March 8, the scandal led to
1911-530: A hydrastinine analogue , methylhydrastinine, at the request of fellow lab members, Walther Beckh and Otto Wolfes. MDMA (called methylsafrylamin, safrylmethylamin or N-Methyl-a-Methylhomopiperonylamin in Merck laboratory reports) was an intermediate compound in the synthesis of methylhydrastinine. Merck was not interested in MDMA itself at the time. On 24 December 1912, Merck filed two patent applications that described
2058-467: A journalist at The Chosun Ilbo , described his story, among other rich celebrities, as a "rags-to-riches" story, adding that Seungri was a late bloomer in the spotlight, only coming into his own after the other BigBang members were absent. Seungri said, "I had a tough time outshining other members of the group, so I studied foreign languages." He said he had tried to succeed at business, in part, because he felt "overlooked and underappreciated" by fans, being
2205-470: A life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome . Severe overdose resulting in death has also been reported in people who took MDMA in combination with certain monoamine oxidase inhibitors , such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix). Serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil) have been shown to block most of
2352-932: A moderate (typically <50 doses used and <100 tablets consumed) lifetime exposure. Nonetheless, moderate MDMA use may still be neurotoxic and what constitutes moderate use is not clearly established. Furthermore, it is not clear yet whether "typical" recreational users of MDMA (1 to 2 pills of 75 to 125 mg MDMA or analogue every 1 to 4 weeks) will develop neurotoxic brain lesions. Long-term exposure to MDMA in humans has been shown to produce marked neurodegeneration in striatal , hippocampal , prefrontal , and occipital serotonergic axon terminals . Neurotoxic damage to serotonergic axon terminals has been shown to persist for more than two years. Elevations in brain temperature from MDMA use are positively correlated with MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. However, most studies on MDMA and serotonergic neurotoxicity in humans focus more on heavy users who consume as much as seven times or more
2499-497: A new charge that Seungri had paid for sexual services himself. Seungri admitted that he received illicit sex services but denied all other allegations at the Seoul Central District Court hearing, and was led to a holding cell in ropes to await the decision, which came later in the evening, when both arrest warrants were denied, with the court citing "room for dispute" over the alleged embezzlement, and said
2646-476: A new club in the Gangnam area, opened by former employees of the Burning Sun club, just four months after it closed down. Also, as part of an anti-corruption initiative established at the troubled Gangnam Police Station, SMPA announced an unprecedented open recruitment just for that police station in mid July, after 164 officers were transferred to other departments. A newly formed three month joint response team
2793-556: A period of three years and six months since 2013), illegal currency transactions, violation of the Food Sanitation Law (at Monkey Museum club), and sharing three unconsented nude photos of women via mobile messenger. No other warrants for his business partner Yoo, or any others involved, were requested. The court denied the request at a hearing on January 13, saying detention was not warranted based on Seungri's "role and involvement in wrongdoings" and "his attitude toward
2940-570: A practicing lawyer, said of the chats, "Their conversations showed that there were not only sex crimes by celebrities, but also a cozy relationship between them and top police officers," and "It is someone higher up than [the Gangnam Police Precinct chief]." Also, on Monday, March 11, due to possible police involvement, the commission, a watchdog agency, turned the records over to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office of
3087-487: A preparation is 70 to 120 mg with the purity having increased since the 1990s. MDMA is usually consumed by mouth. It is also sometimes snorted . Acute adverse effects are usually the result of high or multiple doses, although single dose toxicity can occur in susceptible individuals. The most serious short-term physical health risks of MDMA are hyperthermia and dehydration . Cases of life-threatening or fatal hyponatremia (excessively low sodium concentration in
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#17327873989363234-437: A protracted trial in civilian courts" might restrict the military obligation and the case against him would be referred to a military court for trial. Seungri joined the military on March 9, and on May 15, his trial was transferred from the Seoul Central District Court to a military court, with the civilian court trial for a remaining six defendants, including Yoo In-seok, scheduled to proceed separately. At his first hearing at
3381-484: A rape trial in 2019, were indicted for allegations of soliciting prostitution and for bribery of a police officer in a drunk driving incident, respectively. On February 7, former police officer Kang's trial conviction and sentencing in August 2019 for police collusion in the admittance of an underage customer at the Burning Sun club was overturned by an appeals court, based on lack of evidence showing that Kang had received
3528-481: A request to delay his mandatory military service later in the month. Jung exited, about an hour later, after his 21-hour interrogation. On April 1, SMPA announced they had booked Seungri and Yoo for allegations of embezzlement from the Monkey Museum club, which they opened in 2016. Later allegations stated that funds from Yuri Holdings were used to pay attorney fees for a criminal case involving an employee of
3675-485: A restaurant; and later involved allegations of embezzlement of funds by Seungri and Yoo. Arena (or Club Arena) was a dance club that opened in 2014 in Nonhyeon-dong , Gangnam-gu. It was known as a TV and sports celebrity hang-out, had a reputation for a very strict dress code, and could accommodate 700 guests with separate EDM and hip hop dance floors. It was another club Seungri was affiliated with, and where he
3822-443: A second career in business, and had experience in several business ventures including a Japanese ramen restaurant chain, cosmetics, a Belgian waffle cafe, and a record company co-founded with his agency YG Entertainment . He invested in biotechnology and nanotechnology and the development of masks for yellow dust protection, and failed at real estate and electronic businesses. He closed his successful vocal and dance academy,
3969-494: A second level for hip hop , VIP admittance, 60 VIP tables near the DJ box and stage, spacious dance floors and accommodation for 1000 guests. The drink menu listed Armand de Brignac champagne and Louis XIII cognac sets, priced in the thousands of dollars. The sound system was set up by Funktion-One , a specialized overseas company, whose sound expert, Tony Andrews, was invited to the club for sound tuning. Seungri served as one of
4116-430: A singer-songwriter and television celebrity, and the key person in the illicit sex video portion of the scandal, had been a friend of Seungri for several years. In 2015, he showed off their relationship by telephoning Seungri for a chat during a live radio broadcast. In August 2018, Seungri joined him on the travel show Salty Tour , where Jung was a main cast member, and made comments that generated disciplinary actions by
4263-545: A small number of countries, but is illegal in most jurisdictions. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating the drug for clinical use as of 2021 . Canada has allowed limited distribution of MDMA upon application to and approval by Health Canada . In Australia, it may be prescribed in the treatment of PTSD by specifically authorised psychiatrists. In general, MDMA users report feeling
4410-494: A street protest in Gangnam against the Burning Sun and other nightclubs, calling for an end to what the protesters called a culture that treats women as sexual objects. Although thousands of women had rallied in 2018 against illicit filming and sharing, the allegations against the idealized image of pop idols still surprised the public. The serious nature of the scandal prompted a response from President Moon Jae-in , who ordered
4557-494: A thorough investigation. On March 10, Seungri was booked on sex bribery charges. The following day, he resigned from entertainment on his Instagram account, stating that he had caused a "societal disturbance" and said he would cooperate with the investigation. The source of the KakaoTalk messages was revealed to be a lawyer, Bang Jung-hyun, on March 11, when he was interviewed on SBS Eight O'Clock News . He had obtained
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4704-403: A time period from the second half of 2014 to the present. In the first case with allegations of police collusion, a former Gangnam police officer surnamed Kang, age 44, was sentenced to one year in prison on August 14. During the trial co-CEO Lee Sung-hyun testified that he paid 20 million won (US$ 17,000) to Kang to cover for an underage clubgoer incident at the Burning Sun and had not discussed
4851-517: A travel ban had been imposed. On August 28 and 29, both were questioned and Seungri admitted to gambling, but denied allegations of illegally securing funds, in violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. Seungri was questioned again on September 24 and Yang on October 1. On October 31, SMPA said they would be referring Yang and Seungri, along with three others, for prosecution of alleged habitual gambling, for
4998-481: A trip to a nightclub NB, affiliated with Yang, that included Yang, age 50, a Malaysian fugitive Jho Low , age 38, a Thai national named Bob (Chavanos Rattakul), a YG singer, a Madam Jung, Hwang Ha-na; and as many as 10 prostitutes, who allegedly provided sexual services at the nightclub. Singer Psy , age 42, who was with YG Entertainment at the time, released a statement that he had introduced his friend Jho Low to Yang, and acknowledged that he and Yang had been invited to
5145-416: A typo that his phone's autocorrection function caused. Appeals were filed by Seungri and the military prosecution on August 19 and 25, respectively. On January 27, 2022, a military appeals court reduced Seungri's three-year prison sentence by half, to one year and six months, and imposed a smaller fine, based on his admission of guilt and "reflection" on all nine charges. Seungri's military imprisonment, at
5292-490: A video clip from staff, showing "an intoxicated woman being raped". By January 31, 2019, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) had taken charge of the investigation, which included allegations of local Gangnam police corruption and collusion with the club's owners, and had assigned a team to look into the club's allegations of sexual violence, drug use, Kim's arrest and any connection with
5439-811: A wide range of both psychoactive, anti-psychotic, and non-psychoactive drugs. As of 2023, MDMA therapies have only been approved for research purposes, with no widely accepted medical indications , although this varies by jurisdiction. Before it was widely banned, it saw limited use in psychotherapy. In 2017 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted breakthrough therapy designation for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with some preliminary evidence that MDMA may facilitate psychotherapy efficacy for PTSD. Pilot studies indicate that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be beneficial in treating social anxiety in autistic adults . In these pilot studies,
5586-634: A wire transfer by Yoo, and chat room conversations the two had with Jung about the arrangements; and had booked 17 prostitutes and pimps related to the incidents. Seungri was summoned for questioning about alleged embezzlement of the Burning Sun club's funds for the first time, on May 2, following sixteen prior interrogations about his alleged arrangement of sexual services for investors. On May 7, SMPA requested arrest warrants, to include pre-trial detention, for Seungri and Yoo, and they appeared at May 14 hearings, on charges of embezzling company funds and arranging sexual services for foreign investors, along with
5733-486: Is an empathogen–entactogenic drug with stimulant and minor psychedelic properties. In studies, it has been used alongside psychotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety in autism spectrum disorder . The purported pharmacological effects that may be prosocial include altered sensations, increased energy, empathy, and pleasure. When taken by mouth, effects begin in 30 to 45 minutes and last three to six hours. MDMA
5880-419: Is associated with depression and anxiety, even after quitting the drug. Depression is one of the main reasons for cessation of use. At high doses, MDMA induces a neuroimmune response that, through several mechanisms, increases the permeability of the blood–brain barrier , thereby making the brain more susceptible to environmental toxins and pathogens . In addition, MDMA has immunosuppressive effects in
6027-670: Is associated with high motor activity, reduced sense of identity, and poor awareness of surroundings. Use of MDMA individually or in small groups in a quiet environment and when concentrating, is associated with increased lucidity, concentration, sensitivity to aesthetic aspects of the environment, enhanced awareness of emotions, and improved capability of communication. In psychotherapeutic settings, MDMA effects have been characterized by infantile ideas, mood lability, and memories and moods connected with childhood experiences. MDMA has been described as an "empathogenic" drug because of its empathy-producing effects. Results of several studies show
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6174-520: Is correlated with lifetime MDMA usage and are partially reversible with abstinence. Several forms of memory are impaired by chronic ecstasy use; however, the effects for memory impairments in ecstasy users are generally small overall. MDMA use is also associated with increased impulsivity and depression. Serotonin depletion following MDMA use can cause depression in subsequent days. In some cases, depressive symptoms persist for longer periods. Some studies indicate repeated recreational use of ecstasy
6321-626: Is frequently cut in order to increase volume. A scheme for management of acute MDMA toxicity has been published focusing on treatment of hyperthermia, hyponatraemia, serotonin syndrome, and multiple organ failure. A number of drug interactions can occur between MDMA and other drugs, including serotonergic drugs. MDMA also interacts with drugs which inhibit CYP450 enzymes, like ritonavir (Norvir), particularly CYP2D6 inhibitors. Life-threatening reactions and death have occurred in people who took MDMA while on ritonavir. Concurrent use of MDMA high dosages with another serotonergic drug can result in
6468-672: Is sometimes taken in conjunction with other psychoactive drugs such as LSD , psilocybin mushrooms , 2C-B , and ketamine . The combination with LSD is called "candy-flipping". The combination with 2C-B is called "nexus flipping". For this combination, most people take the MDMA first, wait until the peak is over, and then take the 2C-B. MDMA is often co-administered with alcohol , methamphetamine , and prescription drugs such as SSRIs with which MDMA has several drug-drug interactions. Three life-threatening reports of MDMA co-administration with ritonavir have been reported; with ritonavir having severe and dangerous drug-drug interactions with
6615-409: Is suspected of being tied to illicit financial transactions in the separate case against ex-Justice Minister Cho. A Burning Sun employee, an MD named Cho, age 28, one of the first investigated in the club's scandal, was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment in early December for smuggling and administering drugs. SMPA announced on May 15 they had referred the original whistleblower of
6762-527: Is synthesized using MDP2P (3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone) as a precursor. MDP2P in turn is generally synthesized from piperonal , safrole or isosafrole . One method is to isomerize safrole to isosafrole in the presence of a strong base, and then oxidize isosafrole to MDP2P. Another method uses the Wacker process to oxidize safrole directly to the MDP2P intermediate with a palladium catalyst. Once
6909-699: The JoongAng Ilbo likened the burgeoning events to the Korean Mafia , with allegations of "drug dealing, prostitution, violence, tax evasion and collusion with police". He referred to the assessment Bang brought up on the SBS news program, of its being the beginning of a Korean Mafia, with K-pop's popularity creating celebrities of new money and status, who hobnob with business and government connections. Seungri's and Jung's inter-locking scandals were combined in public televised view when both were called into
7056-677: The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for substance dependence . However, there is little evidence for a specific diagnosable MDMA dependence syndrome because MDMA is typically used relatively infrequently. There are currently no medications to treat MDMA addiction. MDMA is a moderately teratogenic drug (i.e., it is toxic to the fetus). In utero exposure to MDMA is associated with a neuro - and cardiotoxicity and impaired motor functioning. Motor delays may be temporary during infancy or long-term. The severity of these developmental delays increases with heavier MDMA use. MDMA has been shown to promote
7203-657: The Ground Operations Command 's General Military Court in Yongin on September 16, Seungri denied all the charges except for the violations of the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act. A second court date on October 14 listed some twenty-two witnesses scheduled to testify. On January 14, during the ongoing military trial, prosecutors added a ninth charge against Seungri, alleging that he and Yoo involved gang members to intervene in
7350-513: The Korea Communications Standards Commission due to their gender insensitivity or potential "sexual harassment". During a broadcast episode on a trip to Xiamen , China, Seungri asked a female guest (singer and actress Sejeong ) to pick a favorite amongst the five male cast members and pour them a drink; which viewers complained about. On January 28, 2019, MBC Newsdesk reported on an alleged assault of
7497-553: The Ministry of Public Safety and Security at the National Assembly , that "A total of 126 agents will be assigned to investigate the nightclub Burning Sun, the assault at Club Arena, drug use, ties with the police, and allegations of brokering prostitution, filming and distributing illegal videos, among other things". President Moon ordered an investigation of the scandal on March 18, to include two past sex scandal cases;
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#17327873989367644-675: The United States Army commissioned a study of toxicity and behavioral effects in animals injected with mescaline and several analogues, including MDMA. Conducted at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor , these investigations were declassified in October 1969 and published in 1973. A 1960 Polish paper by Biniecki and Krajewski describing the synthesis of MDMA as an intermediate was the first published scientific paper on
7791-604: The peripheral nervous system and pro-inflammatory effects in the central nervous system . MDMA may increase the risk of cardiac valvulopathy in heavy or long-term users due to activation of serotonin 5-HT 2B receptors . MDMA induces cardiac epigenetic changes in DNA methylation , particularly hypermethylation changes. Approximately 60% of MDMA users experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking MDMA. Some of these symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, and trouble concentrating. Tolerance to some of
7938-547: The striatum , the mechanisms by which it induces ΔFosB in the nucleus accumbens are analogous to other dopaminergic psychostimulants. Therefore, chronic use of MDMA at high doses can result in altered brain structure and drug addiction that occur as a consequence of ΔFosB overexpression in the nucleus accumbens. MDMA is less addictive than other stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Compared with amphetamine, MDMA and its metabolite MDA are less reinforcing. One study found approximately 15% of chronic MDMA users met
8085-622: The Act on Special Cases Concerning The Punishment, Etc. of Sexual Crimes, violation of an Act on the Aggravated Punishment Etc. of Specific Economic Crimes and mobilizing gang to threaten people." The total embezzlement amount was 528 million won (around $ US455,000); the Las Vegas gambling amount, between December 2013 to August 2017, was 2.2 billion won (around US$ 2 million); and the period for procuring prostitutes for foreign investors from Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and other countries
8232-562: The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and to SBS FunE; and the secretly filmed sex tapes and other chat messages on Jung's phone became public. During the SBS interview, the integrity of the chat room file was discussed, and was said to have a tamper-proof device, technically a hash-code verification , showing that the file had not been manipulated; and could stand as circumstantial evidence to seek more evidence. Bang, an economics graduate of Seoul National University , and
8379-508: The Burning Sun, as well as information about brothels and prostitutes. On September 29, Lee Jae-jung, a member of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee released SMPA data showing that 12 of 40 police officers involved in the initial assault allegations of Kim Sang-kyo and afterwards had been disciplined, with any actions pending for key figures, such as Yoon. Lee criticized
8526-523: The DJs, along with other local and visiting guest artists like R3hab . The club's CEOs were Lee Moon-ho and Lee Sung-hyun, a former board member of the company that operated the Le Méridien Seoul hotel. Seungri was one of seven in-house directors, and resigned from his position in January 2019. Seungri was the co-founder of Yuri Holdings, a shareholder of Burning Sun Entertainment that operated
8673-669: The Joy Dance – Plug In Music Academy, which he first opened in 2011, in his home town of Gwangju , with branches around South Korea, after some parents complained about an "overly friendly" teacher-student relationship at one location. In November 2018, he entered the IT sector when he became the Creative Director and model for HeadRock VR, a franchise brand of the AR product company SocialNetwork and affiliate Mediafront; and assisted in
8820-525: The KakaoTalk messages, which had been disclosed by media, conversations he allegedly had with a Burning Sun co-founder and another of its employees about such arrangements; and he denied drug use. Media reports said that various nightclubs were used for the lobbying, including one named Arena, where Seungri allegedly arranged sexual favors for investors. In one alleged chat conversation between Seungri and his business partners in December 2015, Seungri says, "Give B (the anonymous investor) everything she wants. Get
8967-550: The KakaoTalk recordings that would become crucial in the investigation, saying their origin was an anonymous source which had turned them over to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on February 22. The recordings dated back to 2015, and seemed to implicate Seungri with allegations that he had directed Burning Sun staff to arrange prostitutes for foreign investors who were coming to Seoul, at another Gangnam nightclub. The source had cited possible police collusion as
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#17327873989369114-506: The MDP2P intermediate has been prepared, a reductive amination leads to racemic MDMA (an equal parts mixture of ( R )-MDMA and ( S )-MDMA). Relatively small quantities of essential oil are required to make large amounts of MDMA. The essential oil of Ocotea cymbarum , for example, typically contains between 80 and 94% safrole. This allows 500 mL of the oil to produce between 150 and 340 grams of MDMA. MDMA and MDA may be quantitated in blood, plasma or urine to monitor for use, confirm
9261-539: The R-enantiomer. Evidence suggests that the area under the blood plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) was two to four times higher for the ( R )-enantiomer than the ( S )-enantiomer after a 40 mg oral dose in human volunteers. Likewise, the plasma half-life of ( R )-MDMA was significantly longer than that of the ( S )-enantiomer (5.8 ± 2.2 hours vs 3.6 ± 0.9 hours). However, because MDMA excretion and metabolism have nonlinear kinetics,
9408-748: The Republic of Korea , asking them to investigate the scandal instead of the police. Within a week, the case was transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office who said they would assign a team to direct the SMPA's investigation. Also, due to the new allegations of possible police misconduct, on March 14, Commissioner Min Gap-ryong of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) reported to
9555-491: The SMPA station on March 14, with more than 100 journalists gathered for Jung's 10 a.m. appearance. It consisted of his arrival, and apology, before entering the station for questioning and a drug test; followed similarly by Seungri, some three hours later. Police also questioned Seungri's business partner and Yuri Holdings CEO Yoo In-seok. Seungri exited first, at around 6:15 a.m. on March 15, some 16 hours later, and he told reporters, as he exited, that he would be putting in
9702-470: The United States in 1970. American chemist and psychopharmacologist Alexander Shulgin reported he synthesized MDMA in 1965 while researching methylenedioxy compounds at Dow Chemical Company , but did not test the psychoactivity of the compound at this time. Around 1970, Shulgin sent instructions for N-methylated MDA (MDMA) synthesis to the founder of a Los Angeles chemical company who had requested them. This individual later provided these instructions to
9849-513: The ages of 15 and 64 used ecstasy (0.3% of the world population). This was broadly similar to the percentage of people who use cocaine or amphetamines , but lower than for cannabis or opioids . In the United States, as of 2017, about 7% of people have used MDMA at some point in their lives and 0.9% have used it in the last year. The lethal risk from one dose of MDMA is estimated to be from 1 death in 20,000 instances to 1 death in 50,000 instances. Short-term adverse effects include grinding of
9996-577: The allegations of sexual abuse and drug use in the VIP rooms, per the petition, were not confirmed. He added, "I will humbly accept the public's criticism that the results of the investigation are insufficient in relation to the Burning Sun case". On July 17, SMPA held a preventive meeting at the Seodaemun District police offices to discuss a "Second Burning Sun Club Opening", after a KBS report detailed possible new problems of sexual harassment at
10143-482: The amount that most users report taking. The evidence for the presence of serotonergic neurotoxicity in casual users who take lower doses less frequently is not conclusive. However, adverse neuroplastic changes to brain microvasculature and white matter have been observed to occur in humans using low doses of MDMA. Reduced gray matter density in certain brain structures has also been noted in human MDMA users. Global reductions in gray matter volume, thinning of
10290-500: The arrangements with Seungri. In drug related cases, on August 22, co-CEO Lee Moon-ho received a suspended sentence of three years probation and community service for a year and a half prison term in a habitual drug use case where he pled guilty, but at a second trial on November 28, was sentenced to one year in prison with charges of using more than 10 drugs, including ecstasy and ketamine in Gangnam clubs from 2018 through February 2019. The court said that Lee Moon-ho's position as
10437-411: The blood or urine of a person who has taken only MDMA are, in general, less than 10% those of the parent drug. MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Köllisch . At the time, Merck was interested in developing substances that stopped abnormal bleeding. Merck wanted to avoid an existing patent held by Bayer for one such compound: hydrastinine . Köllisch developed a preparation of
10584-417: The blood) have developed in MDMA users attempting to prevent dehydration by consuming excessive amounts of water without replenishing electrolytes . The immediate adverse effects of MDMA use can include: Other adverse effects that may occur or persist for up to a week following cessation of moderate MDMA use include: Administration of MDMA to mice causes DNA damage in their brain, especially when
10731-420: The chatrooms, and the agency for Lee Jong-hyun of CNBLUE admitted his involvement on March 15. Legal proceedings for criminal investigations generated by the scandal continued into 2021. Although several police officers were disciplined for their actions involving the Burning Sun club, the two highest-profile cases resulted in trial acquittals. Burning Sun's co-CEO, Lee Sung-hyun, testified that he had paid
10878-779: The club and offsite were set up for customers, including those from upperclass Korean families, and a special clean-up crew called the "incinerators" were employed to remove blood and incriminating evidence. The petition which received the required signatures, asked for the investigation of an alleged group rape by six men in one of the VIP rooms, of a woman who had been given GHB , called "mulpong" in South Korea. In late June, BBC News reporter Laura Bicker shared similar allegations of Gangnam's nightlife, "in its glitzy nightclubs, women have been drugged to order by powerful men and raped" and "underage girls are being sexually exploited for profit". On July 9, KNPA Commissioner Min responded that
11025-607: The club's alleged involvement in prostitution , drug trafficking and police corruption . The chatroom exposé immediately affected multiple celebrities, leading to their criminal prosecution and resignation from the entertainment industry. Seungri of the boy band BigBang , one of the club's directors, subsequently announced his retirement from the industry on March 11, 2019, after being charged with sexual bribery . Allegations of rape and spy cams quickly followed when singer and entertainer Jung Joon-young confessed to secretly filming himself having sex with women and sharing
11172-473: The club's co-CEO, Lee Moon-ho, was sentenced to a year in prison for habitual drug use, including ecstasy and ketamine in Gangnam clubs. One of the club's promoters, MD Cho, was sentenced to four years and six months for drug use and smuggling. Police conducted drug sweeps at entertainment venues that yielded hundreds of drug-related arrests, a large percentage involving ecstasy and GHB , a common date rape drug ; along with cases of sexual assault and rape, and
11319-464: The club's scandal, Kim Sang-kyo, to the prosecution for indictment for sexually assaulting three women and obstructing the business. In early July, the government responded to an April 11 Cheong Wa Dae petition which had detailed new allegations at the Burning Sun club, which was followed by a report on MBC TV's Straight . Witnesses interviewed on the program alleged "underage sex trafficking and violent sexual abuse of women", claiming VIP rooms at
11466-449: The club. On April 29, a Chosun Ilbo headline, "Seung-ri's Business Partner Admits Pimping", followed Seungri and Yoo's new questioning by SMPA, in which Seungri continued to deny any involvement with prostitution, and Yoo finally admitted that he supplied prostitutes to six or more Japanese investors at their Gangnam nightclub in December 2015. SMPA had paper trails of money transactions, a YG Entertainment credit card payment by Seungri and
11613-453: The club. which owned as much as 20 percent in shares, and which was established in March 2016, with Yoo In-seok, to manage his restaurant and entertainment businesses. Seungri resigned from his position in mid February and Yoo resigned on March 13. Seungri described his relationship to the club in an interview with The Chosun Ilbo , published on March 22, 2019, saying that CEO Lee Moon-ho,
11760-404: The corresponding benzoic acid derivatives conjugated with glycine . The metabolism may be primarily by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 and COMT. Complex, nonlinear pharmacokinetics arise via autoinhibition of CYP2D6 and CYP2D8, resulting in zeroth order kinetics at higher doses. It is thought that this can result in sustained and higher concentrations of MDMA if
11907-432: The desired and adverse effects of MDMA is expected to occur with consistent MDMA use. A 2007 delphic analysis of a panel of experts in pharmacology, psychiatry, law, policing and others estimated MDMA to have a psychological dependence and physical dependence potential roughly three-fourths to four-fifths that of cannabis. MDMA has been shown to induce ΔFosB in the nucleus accumbens . Because MDMA releases dopamine in
12054-412: The dinner and drinks with Low and the other man but denied any involvement in the alleged activities. Allegations also referenced a December 2018 rape complaint at the Burning Sun against Rattakul, one of the foreign investors also affiliated with Seungri, and who had been summoned by police. In June, Yang was questioned by police about the prostitution allegations but not taken in as a suspect and Psy
12201-439: The drug and increase profits (notably lactose) and binding agents. Tablets sold as ecstasy sometimes contain 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), other amphetamine derivatives, caffeine, opiates, or painkillers. Some tablets contain little or no MDMA. The proportion of seized ecstasy tablets with MDMA-like impurities has varied annually and by country. The average content of MDMA in
12348-419: The drug in 1952, most likely while researching new stimulants or circulatory medications. After pharmacological studies, research on MDMA was not continued. In 1959, Wolfgang Fruhstorfer synthesized MDMA for pharmacological testing while researching stimulants. It is unclear if Fruhstorfer investigated the effects of MDMA in humans. Outside of Merck, other researchers began to investigate MDMA. In 1953 and 1954,
12495-474: The early stages, the scandal evolved around Kim's complaint against the Burning Sun nightclub, including any possible crimes that may have occurred there, and the identities of responsible parties. The initial January 28 report of the Kim incident, by MBC Newsdesk, included two CCTV videos of the club's security footage purportedly showing Kim's assault inside the club, and a second one showing a woman being dragged down
12642-410: The effects of increased empathy with others. When testing MDMA for medium and high doses, it showed increased hedonic and arousal continuum. The effect of MDMA increasing sociability is consistent, while its effects on empathy have been more mixed. MDMA is often considered the drug of choice within the rave culture and is also used at clubs, festivals, and house parties . In the rave environment,
12789-422: The embezzlement charge. His charges include allegations of sex trafficking a total of twenty-four times to foreign investors from 2015 to 2016 to open the Burning Sun club. At a court hearing on September 9, Yang admitted to the gambling charges involving about 400 million won (around US$ 335,000) in Las Vegas casinos approximately twenty times between 2015 and 2019; with the next hearing scheduled for October 28. At
12936-405: The filming of illegal videos during drug use. Seungri's business associate, Yoo In-seok, admitted to providing potential Japanese investors with prostitutes and received a suspended sentence of three years probation and an embezzlement charge. Seungri's entertainment agency head, Yang Hyun-suk , admitted to gambling and illegal money transactions in Las Vegas casinos and was sentenced to paying
13083-450: The first one involved a former vice justice minister, Kim Hak-ui, who was cleared of a scandal in 2013, but had new allegations of raping women and appearing in sex videos with them, and the second one was the 2009 suicide of rookie actress Jang Ja-yeon , whose purported suicide note included a list of men who she was forced to have sex with, by her entertainment agency. The handling of those cases had been criticized for nonimpartiality due to
13230-560: The global supply shortage of sassafras oil —a problem largely assuaged by use of improved or alternative modern methods of synthesis—the purity of substances sold as molly have been found to vary widely. Some of these substances contain methylone , ethylone , MDPV , mephedrone , or any other of the group of compounds commonly known as bath salts , in addition to, or in place of, MDMA. Powdered MDMA ranges from pure MDMA to crushed tablets with 30–40% purity. MDMA tablets typically have low purity due to bulking agents that are added to dilute
13377-732: The half-lives would be higher at more typical doses (100 mg is sometimes considered a typical dose). MDMA is in the substituted methylenedioxyphenethylamine and substituted amphetamine classes of chemicals . As a free base , MDMA is a colorless oil insoluble in water. The most common salt of MDMA is the hydrochloride salt; pure MDMA hydrochloride is water-soluble and appears as a white or off-white powder or crystal. There are numerous methods available to synthesize MDMA via different intermediates. The original MDMA synthesis described in Merck's patent involves brominating safrole to 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-bromopropane and then reacting this adduct with methylamine. Most illicit MDMA
13524-402: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Burning_Sun&oldid=891039936 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Burning Sun scandal The Burning Sun scandal , also known as Burning Sun gate ,
13671-551: The investigation of the club scene, in general, and druggings occurring there. The Petitions to Blue House website, known domestically as Cheong Wa Dae gungmincheongwon ( Korean : 청와대 국민청원 ; lit. citizen petition to the Blue House ) was a petition website based on former President Obama's We the People . Kim's petition had received the benchmark 200,000 signatures prompting an official response. During
13818-533: The investigation of the scandal on February 17, 2019. The upscale hotel had just replaced the Ritz Carlton Hotel and opened in September 2017, months before the Burning Sun's opening. The nightclub was often called "Seungri's Club", due to its close affiliation with him. The Burning Sun advertised itself as "the most elegant and finest club in South Korea". It included a basement level for EDM ,
13965-432: The involvement of high-profile figures. He said, "The current leadership of the prosecution and police should stake the fate of their organizations with responsibility on uncovering the truth and becoming a law enforcement agency that can reveal its own shameful acts so as to regain trust," and "I am stressing that if we cannot fix it, we cannot call this society a just one." Ha Hyun-ock, a deputy financial news editor of
14112-424: The latter. The methylenedioxy- substitution provides the serotonergic activity, as most other substituted amphetamines show negligible affinity for the serotonin transporter. Neurotransmitter release induced by monoamine-releasing agents differs significantly from the regular, action potential -evoked neurotransmitter release. Inside the neuron, MDMA inhibits VMAT2 and activates TAAR1 . TAAR1 agonism results in
14259-491: The local police station. The SMPA said their quick response and follow-up investigation was due to media attention garnered by the BigBang K-pop group member Seungri's affiliation with the club. They also said they had expanded their probe of drug-related allegations to all Gangnam clubs, due to club marketing by independent "merchandisers" or "MDs" for many different clubs. Seungri's involvement and his relationship to
14406-414: The messages from a whistleblower or "anonymous source", possibly a technician at a phone repair shop, where singer and entertainer Jung Joon-young had dropped his phone off for repairs. The whistleblower had sent an email to Bang, of thousands of chats taken from Jung's phone, which took place over eight months between 2015 and 2016. When the Burning Sun scandal started, the phone messages were forwarded to
14553-650: The mice are sleep deprived. Even at the very low doses that are comparable to those self-administered by humans, MDMA causes oxidative stress and both single and double-strand breaks in the DNA of the hippocampus region of the mouse brain. As of 2015 , the long-term effects of MDMA on human brain structure and function have not been fully determined. However, there is consistent evidence of structural and functional deficits in MDMA users with high lifetime exposure. These structural or functional changes appear to be dose dependent and may be less prominent in MDMA users with only
14700-409: The mild psychedelic hallucinations induced by high doses of MDMA in humans. The MDMA concentration in the blood stream starts to rise after about 30 minutes, and reaches its maximal concentration in the blood stream between 1.5 and 3 hours after ingestion . It is then slowly metabolized and excreted , with levels of MDMA and its metabolites decreasing to half their peak concentration over
14847-405: The money. On April 3, four of the nine people charged with prostitution allegations received a summary judgment , with Jung Joon-young fined one million won and the Burning Sun's prior MD Kim fined two million won. On April 25, the so-called "police chief" Yoon Gyu-geun, previously arrested in the fall of 2019 for allegations of bribery and mediating favors for the Burning Sun club, among others,
14994-456: The names and ranks of the police who allegedly assaulted him. In January 2019, Kim posted a petition on the Petitions to Blue House website detailing his assault by Burning Sun staffers and mistreatment by police; and further stating that female customers were drugged by staffers and the club had a corrupt relationship with district police. Another current petition on the website called for
15141-615: The next several hours. The duration of action of MDMA is usually four to six hours, after which serotonin levels in the brain are depleted. Serotonin levels typically return to normal within 24–48 hours. Metabolites of MDMA that have been identified in humans include 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA), 3,4-dihydroxyamphetamine (DHA) (also called alpha-methyldopamine (α-Me-DA)), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylacetone (MDP2P), and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-hydroxyamphetamine (MDOH). The contributions of these metabolites to
15288-405: The nightclub immediately became a hot media issue. Yang Hyun-suk the chief of his agency, YG Entertainment, released a statement on January 31, that Seungri had been at the club on November 28, but left before Kim's incident occurred. He also said Seungri's recent resignation as a senior director of the club was due to his upcoming military enlistment. Seungri's delayed response to the controversy
15435-541: The obstruction of the performance of official duties. He further claimed that the police assaulted him after he was placed under arrest. The incident came to media attention one month after the incident, when Kim made a post on the South Korean online forum BobaeDream [ ko ] titled '경찰의 민간인 집단폭행 및 버닝썬 집단 구타사건' ( transl. police mass assault on a civilian and the Burning Sun mass beating incident ) and posted photos of his injuries along with
15582-442: The onset of subjective effects within 30 to 60 minutes of oral consumption and reaching peak effect at 75 to 120 minutes, which then plateaus for about 3.5 hours. The desired short-term psychoactive effects of MDMA have been reported to include: The experience elicited by MDMA depends on the dose, setting, and user. The variability of the induced altered state is lower compared to other psychedelics. For example, MDMA used at parties
15729-619: The opening of the Headrock VR theme park in Singapore. Jessica Oak at Billboard wrote, "Seungri has forged and built an empire all his own during his 13 years in the industry. The superstar has become known as a thriving entrepreneur with business ventures in food, nightlife and music labels". He had been the subject of a popular TV show on SBS , about his life and businesses, filmed "speaking four languages and throwing lavish parties in luxury resorts." In August 2018, Baik Su-jin,
15876-471: The operator of the Burning Sun Club put him at a different level than an "ordinary drug offender" and his first sentencing had been "light and unfair". A senior SMPA official, Yoon Gyu-geun, age 49, referred to as the "police chief" in the chatrooms, was arrested on October 10, on charges of accepting bribes and misuse of power, among others, following a search at his office in September. Yoon
16023-462: The parietal and orbitofrontal cortices, and decreased hippocampal activity have been observed in long term users. The effects established so far for recreational use of ecstasy lie in the range of moderate to severe effects for serotonin transporter reduction. Impairments in multiple aspects of cognition, including attention, learning, memory, visual processing , and sleep, have been found in regular MDMA users. The magnitude of these impairments
16170-405: The phosphorylation of monoamine transporters by PKA and PKC , which either internalizes the transporter, or reverses its flux direction. VMAT2 inhibition prevents the packaging of the cytosolic monoamines into the synaptic vesicles , which allows them to instead be pumped out of the neuron by the phosphorylated transporters. The result is that the neuron constantly "leaks" neurotransmitters into
16317-431: The possibility of destroying evidence was slim. SMPA referred Seungri's case to prosecutors on June 25, with charges related to 1.1 billion won (US$ 951,000) in embezzlement, destruction of evidence, violation of laws on sex trade, sexual crimes and food hygiene. Allegations included procuring prostitutes for himself and for others from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan from December 2015 to January 2016. His business partner Yoo
16464-562: The presence of possible adulterants or diluents. The UK term "mandy" and the US term "molly" colloquially refer to MDMA in a crystalline powder form that is thought to be free of adulterants. MDMA is also sold in the form of the hydrochloride salt, either as loose crystals or in gelcaps . MDMA tablets can sometimes be found in a shaped form that may depict characters from popular culture , likely for deceptive reasons. These are sometimes collectively referred to as "fun tablets". Partly due to
16611-514: The prosecution's investigation". On January 30, prosecutors indicted nine people, without detention, for allegations of crimes related to the Burning Sun case, including: Seungri for mediating prostitution, gambling, and violation of the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act, Yoo In-seok for mediating prostitution and business embezzlement, and Yang Hyun-suk for gambling and violation of the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act. Another two, Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon, who were already imprisoned after
16758-432: The psychoactive and toxic effects of MDMA are an area of active research. 80% of MDMA is metabolised in the liver, and about 20% is excreted unchanged in the urine . MDMA is known to be metabolized by two main metabolic pathways : (1) O -demethylenation followed by catechol- O -methyltransferase (COMT)-catalyzed methylation and/or glucuronide/sulfate conjugation; and (2) N -dealkylation, deamination, and oxidation to
16905-519: The reason for not turning them over directly to police. The police held a press conference on March 4, saying they had not seen the original, unedited KakaoTalk messages and doubted their veracity, just prior to an SBS report detailing how they had obtained them. On February 27, Seungri was questioned by the SMPA, a lengthy interview that lasted overnight and included a drug test. Seungri denied allegations of attempts to buy sex for potential foreign investors (or sex for business favors) and any knowledge of
17052-415: The release of the neurotransmitters serotonin , dopamine , and norepinephrine in parts of the brain. It belongs to the substituted amphetamine classes of drugs . MDMA is structurally similar to mescaline (a psychedelic), methamphetamine (a stimulant), as well as endogenous monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. MDMA has limited approved medical uses in
17199-442: The results as "very disappointing" and "far from the public's expectation". On January 8, 2020, seven months after police had submitted their case, the prosecution filed a second warrant requesting Seungri's arrest on seven charges – procuring prostitution for himself and others (29 times for foreign investors between September 2015 and January 2016), embezzlement (about $ 17,000 from Yuri Holdings), habitual gambling in Las Vegas (for
17346-462: The sensory effects of music and lighting are often highly synergistic with the drug. The psychedelic amphetamine quality of MDMA offers multiple appealing aspects to users in the rave setting. Some users enjoy the feeling of mass communion from the inhibition-reducing effects of the drug, while others use it as party fuel because of the drug's stimulatory effects. MDMA is used less often than other stimulants, typically less than once per week. MDMA
17493-576: The subjective effects of MDMA. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as reboxetine (Edronax) have been found to reduce emotional excitation and feelings of stimulation with MDMA but do not appear to influence its entactogenic or mood-elevating effects. MDMA is a substituted amphetamine structurally, and a monoamine-releasing agent mechanistically. Like other monoamine-releasing agents, MDMA enters monoaminergic neurons through monoamine transporters . MDMA has high affinity for dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin transporters, with some preference for
17640-492: The substance. MDMA may have been in non-medical use in the western United States in 1968. An August 1970 report at a meeting of crime laboratory chemists indicates MDMA was being used recreationally in the Chicago area by 1970. MDMA likely emerged as a substitute for its analog 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), a drug at the time popular among users of psychedelics which was made a Schedule 1 controlled substance in
17787-584: The survival of fetal dopaminergic neurons in culture. MDMA overdose symptoms vary widely due to the involvement of multiple organ systems. Some of the more overt overdose symptoms are listed in the table below. The number of instances of fatal MDMA intoxication is low relative to its usage rates. In most fatalities, MDMA was not the only drug involved. Acute toxicity is mainly caused by serotonin syndrome and sympathomimetic effects. Sympathomimetic side effects can be managed with carvedilol . MDMA's toxicity in overdose may be exacerbated by caffeine, with which it
17934-472: The synapse, regardless of any signal received. MDMA has two enantiomers , (S) -MDMA and (R) -MDMA. Recreationally used MDMA is the equimolar mixture of both . (S) -MDMA causes the entactogenic effects of the racemate, because it releases serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine much more efficiently via monoamine transporters. It also has higher affinity towards 5-HT 2C R. (R) -MDMA has notable agonism towards 5-HT 2A R, which supposedly contributes to
18081-558: The synthesis and some chemical properties of MDMA and its subsequent conversion to methylhydrastinine. Merck records indicate its researchers returned to the compound sporadically. A 1920 Merck patent describes a chemical modification to MDMA. In 1927, Max Oberlin studied the pharmacology of MDMA while searching for substances with effects similar to adrenaline or ephedrine , the latter being structurally similar to MDMA. Compared to ephedrine, Oberlin observed that it had similar effects on vascular smooth muscle tissue, stronger effects at
18228-459: The teeth , blurred vision , sweating , and a rapid heartbeat , and extended use can also lead to addiction, memory problems , paranoia , and difficulty sleeping . Deaths have been reported due to increased body temperature and dehydration. Following use, people often feel depressed and tired, although this effect does not appear in clinical use, suggesting that it is not a direct result of MDMA administration. MDMA acts primarily by increasing
18375-480: The time, was calculated to end after another thirteen months. This sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court of Korea on May 26, 2022, whereupon Seungri was discharged from the military and transferred to a civilian prison to serve the remainder of his term. MDMA 3,4-Methyl enedioxy methamphetamine ( MDMA ), commonly known as ecstasy (tablet form), and molly (crystal form),
18522-512: The user takes consecutive doses of the drug. MDMA and metabolites are primarily excreted as conjugates, such as sulfates and glucuronides. MDMA is a chiral compound and has been almost exclusively administered as a racemate . However, the two enantiomers have been shown to exhibit different kinetics. The disposition of MDMA may also be stereoselective, with the S-enantiomer having a shorter elimination half-life and greater excretion than
18669-463: The uterus, and no "local effect at the eye". MDMA was also found to have effects on blood sugar levels comparable to high doses of ephedrine. Oberlin concluded that the effects of MDMA were not limited to the sympathetic nervous system . Research was stopped "particularly due to a strong price increase of safrylmethylamine", which was still used as an intermediate in methylhydrastinine synthesis. Albert van Schoor performed simple toxicological tests with
18816-447: The vast majority of participants reported increased feelings of empathy that persisted after the therapy sessions. Small doses of MDMA are used by some religious practitioners as an entheogen to enhance prayer or meditation. MDMA has been used as an adjunct to New Age spiritual practices. MDMA has become widely known as ecstasy (shortened "E", "X", or "XTC"), usually referring to its tablet form, although this term may also include
18963-629: The videos, without their knowledge or consent, in the Jung Joon-young KakaoTalk chatrooms , resulting in his resignation from the entertainment industry on March 12, 2019. Subsequently, SBS funE reported the discovery of illicit videos dating from 2015 to 2016, as well as conversations Jung shared in chat groups on the social media app KakaoTalk with Seungri and other acquaintances. On March 14, Yong Jun-hyung of Highlight and Choi Jong-hoon of F.T. Island resigned from their positions, after allegations they were participants in
19110-621: The youngest of the famous group, and business was a place where he would not have to compete with the other band members. Seungri said his popularity had been a business asset and he had looked for partners that would benefit from it." His last studio album The Great Seungri was a play on his nickname, from the novel The Great Gatsby . After his involvement in the scandal, a popular culture critic in Seoul, Lee Moon-won, said "the multilingual Seungri", with "has multiple business interests" had been seen as an "ideal cultural export", deemed to be
19257-505: Was a 2019 entertainment and sex scandal in Seoul , South Korea, which involved several celebrities , including Korean idols of popular K-pop groups , and police officials . It began on January 28, 2019, when MBC Newsdesk reported a November 2018 alleged assault of a male clubgoer at the Burning Sun, a prominent nightclub in Gangnam , by a staff member. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency investigation soon turned to one concerning
19404-450: Was acquitted of all charges by a Seoul Central District trial court due to the prosecution's lack of evidence, although the court said, "It is not that the accused is 100 percent innocent or that the charges are not true." At a June 3 court hearing, Yoo admitted to all charges, including those related to prostitution and embezzlement. At trial on June 22, Yoo again admitted to most of the charges, but denied intentionality, in particular in
19551-508: Was alleged to have made arrangements for investors to receive sexual favors. The owner, last name Kang, and another of the club's operators, were arrested on tax evasion charges during the scandal's investigation. Seungri was close to celebrity friends Jung Joon-young, age 30, and Choi Jong-hoon, age 29, who joined him when his agency YG Entertainment launched their newest YG Republique restaurant in August 2017, in Kuala Lumpur . Jung,
19698-423: Was also referred to prosecutors for procuring prostitutes. MBC TV 's May 27 show Straight introduced new allegations and another celebrity name to the scandal. It alleged that YG Entertainment's founder Yang Hyun-suk had arranged sexual services for foreign investors in July 2014, which he and the company denied. SMPA began an investigation based on the show's details of an alleged dinner meeting in Gangnam and
19845-497: Was also set up to investigate club illegal activity in Gangnam, from August through October, to prevent a new Burning Sun incident. On September 10, SMPA's Cyber Security Division referred charges of defamation and pornography for twelve participants in an investigation of media personnel which began on May 3. A Cheong Wa Dae petition was filed, alleging that a chat group of about 200 reporters, producers and media staffers had shared illicit video clips of incidents that had occurred at
19992-407: Was arrested earlier on embezzlement charges. Yoon was indicted on October 29, on charges of bribery, obstruction of business, and concealing evidence, among others, related to allegations of attempting to cover up illegalities at the Burning Sun and other businesses run by Seungri and Yoo. Yoon was also alleged to have received unlisted stocks from businessman Jeong in relation to the case; while Jeong
20139-450: Was between December 2015 to January 2016. Due to the charge of "violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning The Punishment, Etc. of Sexual Crimes" or the distribution of three nude photos of women via a mobile chatroom, he was ordered to provide his personal information to a sex crimes registry". While denying charges, Seungri had claimed that his KakaoTalk message, widely reported by media, about women that "give well", might have been
20286-548: Was conducting his first solo tour, The Great Seungri , after 13 years as a group member. He was filling the void for the band's hiatus while all remaining four members were in military service , and waiting for his own enlistment in March. The Burning Sun nightclub, ( 클럽 버닝썬 , Club Burning Sun), opened at the Le Méridien Seoul hotel in Yeoksam-dong , Gangnam-gu , on February 23, 2018, and closed during
20433-534: Was fined 10 million won. Yoo received a suspended sentence of three years probation for a one-year and eight months prison term on December 24. After the conclusion of the criminal investigation and indictment in civil court, on February 4, Seungri, who had already turned 30 ( Korean age ) received a final notification for his mandatory military service by the Military Manpower Administration . Their statement said they were "concerned
20580-431: Was first synthesized in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Köllisch . It was used to enhance psychotherapy beginning in the 1970s and became popular as a street drug in the 1980s. MDMA is commonly associated with dance parties , raves , and electronic dance music . Tablets sold as ecstasy may be mixed with other substances such as ephedrine , amphetamine , and methamphetamine . In 2016, about 21 million people between
20727-596: Was found partially guilty of instigating the destruction of evidence and punished with a fine and no prison time. On August 12, Seungri was sentenced to a three-year prison term, a fine of 1.15 billion won (US$ 990,000) and immediate detention. The nine charges were: "prostitution mediation in violation of Act on the Punishment of Arrangement of Commercial Sex Acts Etc., embezzlement, overseas gambling, procuring prostitution service, violation of Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, violation of Food Sanitation Act, violation of
20874-402: Was in an Instagram statement on February 2, stating that he was not present at the club during Kim's alleged assault, had belatedly heard about it, and served as an executive director for the club and had no part in the club's operation or management; but he, however, apologized that he had not taken responsibility from the beginning. On February 26, 2019, SBS FunE released the first portions of
21021-479: Was popularly seen as an "ideal cultural export". — Lee Moon-won, popular culture critic, in the South China Morning Post . Lee Seung-hyun, better known under his stage name Seungri ( Korean : 승리 ; lit. "victory") was the youngest member of the South Korean boy band BigBang at age 28 at the time of the scandal, having debuted at age 15. Seungri had developed
21168-458: Was questioned as a witness about the July 2014 incident, which statute of limitations was soon to expire. On July 17, SMPA reported having booked Yang for allegations of arranging sexual services for the foreign investors in 2014, along with three more suspects for prostitution allegations; but dropped the charges against Yang on September 20, stating that they had failed to prove them. A prior allegation of Seungri's possible gambling overseas
21315-536: Was referred for prosecution in June for allegedly informing Seungri and Yoo In-seok of police crackdowns, but the late search and focus on Yoon was questioned by a The Korea Times report by Lee Suh-yoon as possibly being related to his having worked in the Blue House in 2017 under Justice Minister Cho Kuk , who was being investigated in a separate case. A businessman named Jeong, a possible link between Yoon and Yoo
21462-607: Was reignited by an August 9, JTBC report alleging instances of Yang and Seungri having gambled up to 1 to 2 billion won at the MGM Grand Las Vegas on past occasions. SMPA said they were examining Yang's financial records for possible illegal foreign exchange transactions that may have been used for his alleged gambling, which is illegal for South Koreans at home and abroad. On August 14, both Yang and Seungri were booked on charges of habitual gambling, and by August 20, charges included illegal foreign trade transactions and
21609-404: Was the first Gangnam club to associate Seungri's name, and opened on July 27, 2016, in the upscale neighborhood of Cheongdam-dong , Gangnam-gu. It was a trendy hip hop lounge-style bar, co-owned by Seungri, Yoo and a group of K-pop singers. During the scandal's investigation, it became one of the first non-relevant charges against Seungri, of illegal operation as a bar, while it was registered as
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