SEUNGRI

Lee Seung-hyun (Korean: 이승현; born December 12, 1990), better known by the stage names Seungri (승리; lit. Victory) and V.I, is a South Korean former singer-songwriter and was a member of the South Korean boy band BigBang formed by YG Entertainment. A key figure of the Burning Sun scandal, he was convicted in 2020 for prostitution mediation and embezzlement.

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" (Korean: 어쩌라고; RR: Eojjeorago). 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" (Korean: 할말 있어요; RR: Halmal isseoyo), 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 in his business ventures. He was charged with sexual bribery and embezzlement, and convicted in 2020 after the police investigation of the Burning Sun scandal. The military trial of Seungri began on September 16, 2020, during his mandatory military service in South Korea. He denied 7 of the 8 charges against him. The military court found Seungri guilty on all charges and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₩1.15 billion (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.