G Dragon did not wear Chanel when he showed up at an Incheon police station for questioning

It was not a court appearance, but G Dragon (aka  Kwon Ji-yong)—under investigation for alleged illegal drug use—presented himself earlier today for interrogation at the Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon, west of Seoul, looking far from his fashionista self. He arrived in a dark gray BMW EV* to a scrum of photographers and reporters, emerging from the vehicle still with a vestige of the affectation of a pop star. He swung his arms backwards to stretch his shoulders, as if to relieve some unknown back pain. When the thirty-five-year-old was interviewed by reporters, he scarcely looked at them. In one image published in the local media, he was gazing at the sky. In another, he made an odd shape with his lips, as if unable to comprehend the question posed to him. As he headed towards the stairs to ascend and enter the building after the interview ended, he held his left wrist and rotated it as though to lessen an ache, and did the same with the right. He flicked both wrists as he entered the police station. It is hard to be sure if it was conscious artificiality of not being affected by what he was to confront.

G Dragon looked like he just woke from a nap. His hair was not styled and he wore no make-up (or perhaps it just looked natural). There was something about him that evoked a young Sim Wong Hoo (沈望傅). He was not dressed exceptionally either. Rather than in Chanel, his go-to brand, he wore something nondescript—a pin-striped, double-breasted navy suit of rather dad-bod proportion, with shoulders that did not sit well. Under the loose suit, he wore a light blue shirt that was looked to be made for women, as evidenced by the row of buttons on the left side of the garment, under the straight point collar. He was shod in a curious pair of rather frumpy two-toned (white and brown!) loafers. Better not to look trendy? Not even a sliver of yarn from Chanel tweed was spotted. Rather than sunglasses, he wore a rather conservative dark-rimmed spectacles from the made-in-Japan, Los Angeles eyewear brand Jacques Marie Mage, reported to cost 1.273 million won (or about S$1,318). According to Korean media, the model—Zephyrin Noir 3—is, as a result of its appearance, perched on G Dragon’s nose, immediately sold out.

The turnout of the singer has been described by the press and fan sites as “confident”. But, that self-assurance—and swagger and lip movements—divided Netizens, with some saying that his demeanour was condescending, even cocky. In the presence of photographers that were in numbers that could rival that seen on the red carpets he had been on, it is possible that the guy had to play it cool, as he would in front of a Chanel photo wall. “There is no truth to (the charge of) drug-related crime,” G Dragon said calmly before going into the station. “I came here to reveal the truth.” That statement, for some, is consistent with his conduct. He did not have to appear too restrained in manner since he declared that he did no wrong, as his case continues to draw attention amid ongoing government crackdown on illegal drug use. Likely addressing his fans, he added, oppa-ly, “Please don’t worry too much. I will be back soon.” And very possibly, in nicer threads.

*Note: G Dragon is BMW’s brand ambassador in Korea since March this year. The car that appeared at the police station was apparently given to the star to drive for the duration of his contract with the brand, which, according to a BMW Korea spokesperson quoted in the The Korea Times, will conclude early next year. In publicity photographs showing G Dragon posing with the luxury car, the star wore Chanel.

Update (21 November 2023, 18:00): According to Yonhap News Agency, all tests conducted—urine, hair, nail—on G Dragon came back negative. It appears that the singer told the truth. It is not clear where the police investigation will go from here.

Photo: Korea JoongAng Daily