Seungri denies hitting anyone with soju bottle, admits to 'inappropriate behavior'

Seungri (35, real name Lee Seung-hyun), a former member of K-pop group Big Bang, has denied allegations that he assaulted a man with a soju bottle during a late-night drinking session in Seoul.

His attorney, Yoon Jae-bin of law firm Surim, issued a statement Friday laying out his client's account of the incident.

Seungri was sued on charges that he assaulted a man identified only as A with a soju bottle at a Gangnam restaurant at around 6 a.m. on Aug. 8, during a gathering with acquaintances. A had reportedly joined the table that night after meeting Seungri for the first time.

A told JTBC's "Sageon Banjang" last month that one of Seungri's companions approached him while he was sitting alone at the restaurant, accused him of taking photos and that Seungri then invited him to join the group. He said that within less than 10 minutes, Seungri suddenly began using crude language and threats while holding a soju bottle. "I was hit on the hand while trying to block the bottle," A said. He also alleged that Seungri's companions surrounded him and made threats, including references to organized crime figures and remarks such as "killing one person is nothing." Footage broadcast on the program appeared to show an agitated Seungri holding a soju bottle in a threatening manner.

Yoon rebuffed A's account, starting with how the two men came to share a table. "A recognized Seungri, came to the table and asked to join. Despite being turned down multiple times, he refused to leave, saying he had a business proposal, and ultimately sat down in an empty seat without permission," Yoon said. "Even after that, Seungri and his companions repeatedly asked A to leave, but he refused, and voices were raised."

Yoon also denied that A was struck with the soju bottle. "Seungri deeply regrets that he lost control of his emotions and behaved inappropriately," Yoon said, "but this was an emotional clash provoked by A. Seungri did not swing the bottle at A or strike him with it, as A has claimed." Yoon added that Seungri never made any remarks about using organized crime figures to harm anyone.

Yoon said that after the commotion, both parties left the restaurant together and parted on friendly terms. He said A sent a text message the same morning saying "let's meet next week," followed by another that afternoon saying he would bring a business proposal the following week, and continued to reach out afterward. A then abruptly changed his stance days later and filed the complaint, Yoon said.

"After the complaint was filed, A's side reached out to request a settlement," Yoon said. "However, Seungri determined that he could not resolve the matter by acknowledging actions he did not actually commit, and has decided to submit relevant materials to investigators and establish the facts."

Hello. I am Yoon Jae-bin, attorney at law firm Surim and legal representative of Lee Seung-hyun (stage name: Seungri). I am issuing this statement on behalf of my client regarding the incident that has recently been reported.

Seungri is deeply sorry for causing concern once again, as someone who has previously been at the center of controversy. However, separate from past wrongdoing, the circumstances of this incident are being reported inaccurately, and we feel compelled to explain what actually happened.

At around 6 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2026, Seungri was dining at a Seoul restaurant with two acquaintances. A man he had never met (hereinafter "the complainant") recognized Seungri, approached the table and asked to join. Despite being turned down multiple times, the complainant refused to leave, saying he had a business proposal, and ultimately sat down in an empty seat without permission. Seungri and his companions continued to ask the complainant to leave.

In an attempt to end the ongoing dispute, they poured him a drink and gave him a contact number. The conversation did not resolve, and as the complainant continued to refuse repeated requests to leave, voices were raised. In the course of this, Seungri, whose emotions had escalated, did pick up a soju bottle from the table. He deeply regrets losing control of his emotions and behaving inappropriately at that moment. However, this was an emotional clash provoked by the complainant; Seungri did not swing the bottle at the complainant or strike him with it, as the complainant has alleged.

After the commotion, Seungri's group and the complainant left the restaurant together, exchanged greetings and parted on friendly terms. The complainant sent a text message that same morning saying "let's meet next week," and another that afternoon saying he would bring a business proposal the following week, and continued to reach out to arrange further meetings. After several days, however, the complainant abruptly changed his position, contacted them to say he had gathered evidence and a medical certificate, mentioned charges including aggravated intimidation and unlawful confinement, and ultimately filed the complaint.

There are inaccuracies in the complainant's account. Seungri did not swing a soju bottle at anyone or strike anyone with it, and he never made any remarks about using organized crime figures to harm anyone. Beyond this, the complainant's statements and the coverage to date contain numerous actions and words attributed to Seungri that he did not say or do.

After the complaint was filed, the complainant's side reached out to request a settlement. However, Seungri determined that he could not resolve the matter by acknowledging actions he did not actually commit, and has decided to submit relevant materials to investigators and establish the facts.

We believe it is for investigators and the court to make the final determination, and Seungri will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation. We earnestly ask that the public refrain from speculative criticism or the disclosure of personal information regarding Seungri, his companions and the complainant alike.

We again sincerely apologize for the concern this matter has caused.