The Real Truth About Park Bom’s Drug Controversy, Told By Park Bom Herself

[ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ♔]

Park Bom seemed overwhelmed by the attention regarding her past drug controversy that it’s been getting throughout he years and having to be in the spotlight again after five years of hiatus.

“An acquaintance of mine let me know about the TV program. My parents and I watched it together. My parents kept sighing, like they are completely done with the word ‘drugs’. It’s hard for me to see my parents like this. When the controversy first broke, they asked me if I had actually done drugs, but now they just sigh.”
— Park Bom

Park Bom confirmed she has not done drugs or smuggled them into Korea. Instead, she talked about her condition that has required her to be medicated on drugs (regarding her condition).

“I would not be this upset if I have ever in my life done drugs. I have never done drugs. I was investigated and found not guilty.”

Park Bom described why she needs to take Adderall, containing a low dose of amphetamines but got her labeled as a drug smuggler.

“I have a medical condition that requires medication since middle and high school years. I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), which isn’t too well known in Korea… There aren’t a lot of medications out to treat this condition, so I take what usually gets prescribed for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Even with medication, it’s hard to overcome my symptoms. It’s used commonly in the United States to treat medical conditions like mine. I understand the way I tried to acquire the medication was not the best and that is my fault, but I’m also frustrated by the fact that my medication keeps being called 100% amphetamine. I can’t even take medication because it’s being labelled a drug.“
— Park Bom

During the interview, Park Bom planned to post a written statement on her social media, but decided not to upload and so she instead wanted to share her message at the interview.

In the message, she wrote, “I apologize that I couldn’t gather up the courage to write this sooner, because I was so heart broken. I apologize for causing such a controversy in Korea.”

“Hi, what’s up, we’re 2NE1! This is Park Bom… It’s been a while since I wrote to you guys… I’m a bit late… right? ㅠㅠ I decided to respond because I have been looking at everything you’ve been writing to me. “Why isn’t Park Bom saying anything?” “Bom please talk to us…” I’ve seen them and heard them all around… I’m sorry I broke your hearts by not responding earlier. I’m grateful for my fans who wait for me to return to stage. I’m also grateful for the 2NE1 fans… Fans, you all have been so patient and loyal to us. I thank you and it breaks my heart. So I decided to write this… When I first encountered the news reports saying I smuggled drugs… I was scared, not because I had done drugs, or smuggled them, but because I had to tell you guys the truth…
I have ADD (attention deficit disorder)… Not a lot of Koreans know about this disorder as it’s not well known. From what I know… the disorder didn’t even have a name until a few years ago… So there is no medication to treat this condition ㅠㅠ I’m sorry you’ve been so frustrated by me keeping quiet… (sigh) ㅠㅠ
But now… Now! As a woman… I can’t possibly stand being labelled a drug smuggler. I’d rather… just tell you the medical conditions that I have, even though I really don’t want to share this… This embarrasses me so much and I want to hide, but I’ve decided to be brave and tell you ㅠㅠ For me, the word “drug” didn’t scare me… The fact that I have to tell you guys everything… That was scarier and I wanted to hide…”
— Park Bom

Park Bom added she didn’t want to sing on stage, despite her leaving the K-Pop scene five years ago.

“After watching the TV program, however, I decided I should return to singing and performing. I can’t let misunderstandings and rumors stop me from doing what I want to do and what I do best.”
— Park Bom

Park Bom thanked YG Entertainment for making her succeed as a singer. She ended the interview, stating her new found wish.

“I’d like to succeed as a singer and make a lot of money, so I can buy my parents a building. They went through so much because of me… If everyone could understand, not even the whole thing but just a little bit, where I’m coming from and what I’m trying to do, then I think I could start singing again. Would that be too much to ask for?”
— Park Bom

 

[˚₊‧꒰ა𝚟𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕.𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕໒꒱ ‧₊˚]

Poor girl

 

[VIPJACKAHGADAY]

I'm glad she's better now and most people have moved on.

I think I should South Korea a thing or two about psychology.

 

[ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ♔]

I think I should South Korea a thing or two about psychology.

Sorry, could you clarify on what you’re trying to say for this one?

 

[VIPJACKAHGADAY]

Sorry, could you clarify on what you’re trying to say for this one?

Part of psychology centers on psychological disorders. ADD and ADHD are commonly known psychological disorders, so for South Korea not to know these disorders means they probably don't have knowledge on the more severe disorders such as schizophrenia and personality disorders.

 

[ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ♔]

Part of psychology centers on psychological disorders. ADD and ADHD are commonly known psychological disorders, so for South Korea not to know these disorders means they probably don't have knowledge on the more severe disorders such as schizophrenia and personality disorders.

Ohhh okay. But in South Korea when people discuss about their mental health, would that be like taken as a joke even for the doctors themselves? Cause that’s what I’ve seen people commenting with regarding that. Considering the fact that in some other countries, mental health is taken very seriously whereas in South Korea I don’t know if its taken seriously or not..

 

[VIPJACKAHGADAY]

Ohhh okay. But in South Korea when people discuss about their mental health, would that be like taken as a joke even for the doctors themselves? Cause that’s what I’ve seen people commenting with regarding that. Considering the fact that in some other countries, mental health is taken very seriously whereas in South Korea I don’t know if its taken seriously or not..

I don't know about the doctors, but South Korean society doesn't really seem to take it seriously. It's not really a joke but more like a "You'll get over it" or "You're not really sick" or "It's just in your head."

 

[ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ♔]

I don't know about the doctors, but South Korean society doesn't really seem to take it seriously. It's not really a joke but more like a "You'll get over it" or "You're not really sick" or "It's just in your head."

Yeah that’s what i meant. But those phrases that are used towards ppl with mental health don’t even help them at all, like can’t they do something to make themselves understand more about ppl’s suffering?

 

[VIPJACKAHGADAY]

Yeah that’s what i meant. But those phrases that are used towards ppl with mental health don’t even help them at all, like can’t they do something to make themselves understand more about ppl’s suffering?

I think it's more up to South Koreans to break the stigma of mental health. It would help if there were more people advocating for it, especially celebrities. But I get that South Korea is a very conservative country so they don't take change very lightly.