Seungri
Lee Seung-hyun (Korean: 이승현; born December 12, 1990), better known by his stage names Seungri (승리; meaning Victory in Korean) and V.I (when performing in Japan), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, and former member of the South Korean boy band BigBang formed by YG Entertainment.
Seungri | |
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Seungri in 2018 | |
| Born | Lee Seung-hyun December 12, 1990 Gwangju, South Korea |
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| Musical career | |
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| Years active | 2005–2019 |
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| Criminal information | |
| Criminal status | released |
| Conviction(s) | Prostitution Mediation, Habitual Gambling, Embezzlement |
| Criminal penalty | 18 months |
| Details | |
| Date | February 2018 – February 2019 |
Date apprehended | August 21, 2021 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 이승현 |
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| Revised Romanization | I Seunghyeon |
| McCune–Reischauer | I Sŭnghyŏn |
| Stage name | |
| Hangul | 승리 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Seungni |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŭngni |
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In the mid-2000s, Seungri rose to prominence as a member of the South Korean boy band BigBang. With the release of the group's second studio album Remember (2008), which included a solo performance by Seungri, he began to adopt a more mature image as an artist. Seungri furthered this image with the release of his chart-topping EP, V.V.I.P (2011). It yielded two singles: "VVIP" and "What Can I Do". His second Korean EP Let's Talk About Love (2013) fared better, becoming his second number one album with 80,000 copies sold. It was supported by "Gotta Talk to You", which was later re-released in Japan as his first full Japanese studio album, with re-recordings of his previous songs in Japanese. He then released his first Korean studio album, The Great Seungri (2018). Outside of music, he made his theatrical debut with the musical Sonagi in 2008 and went on to star in films such as Nineteen (2009) and Why Did You Come to My House? (2009). He started in television with the Japanese drama Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo (2013) and the South Korean television series Angel Eyes (2014).
On March 11, 2019, Seungri departed from BigBang and retired from the entertainment industry after allegations that he provided sex workers for investors. He was charged with sexual bribery and embezzlement, and convicted in 2020 after the police investigation of the Burning Sun scandal. Seungri's military trial commenced on September 16, 2020, where he denied 7 of his 8 charges. A military court found Seungri guilty on all charges and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment and a fine of 1.15 billion won (US$970,000) on August 12, 2021, which was reduced to 18 months on January 27, 2022, based on his admission of guilt. During the sentence reduction, Seungri pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him and expressed that he "will reflect on his actions". He was released from prison on February 9, 2023.