T.O.P Drug Overdose

[Anchor Lead]

Big Bang member TOP, or T.O.P., whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, has been recovering in hospital after an apparent drug overdose. The rapper was earlier indicted for smoking marijuana before he began his military duty. Reports suggest he has now mostly regained consciousness.

[Pkg]

Big Bang member Choi Seung-hyun, better known as T.O.P., was found unconscious in his barrack yesterday morning. He had been serving his mandatory military term as a police officer at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. At the time of discovery, he had reportedly failed to wake up well past the designated time. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Police believe he lost consciousness after overdosing on the sedatives he had been taking as part of his treatment.

[Soundbite] Official of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (Voice modified) : "He brought the prescription drugs when he started his military service. He took the drugs yesterday while others were watching before going to sleep."

Choi reportedly responded when medical staff called his name last night and appears to have largely regained consciousness. The drug he took contained sleep-inducing substances, which will leave his body in about two days. He will reportedly have no problem resuming his daily routine. Police announced that he will be returned to base once he recovers and then put under separate care. Previously, Choi was indicted without detainment on charges of smoking marijuana four times with an aspiring female singer at his home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul in October of last year, prior to his mandatory military service.