In a significant legal development that has closed a dark chapter for the K-hip-hop scene, rapper B-Free (real name Choi Sung-ho, 40) has been officially sentenced to a prison term of one year and four months.

On January 2, 2026, the Seoul High Court upheld the original verdict from his initial trial, dismissing his appeal and confirming that the rapper must face incarceration for an assault that left a victim with permanent visual impairment.

The Violent Confrontation and Injuries

The sentencing follows a violent incident that occurred in the early morning hours of June 18, 2024, at an apartment complex in Jung-gu, Seoul.

B-Free was reportedly involved in a loud dispute with a security guard over an entrance barrier when a resident living on the first floor complained about the noise.

Enraged by the protest, B-Free called the resident outside and launched a physical attack.

The victim was struck in the face with such force that they fell to the ground, sustaining a triangular facial fracture and lacerations. Most tragically, the assault caused traumatic optic neuropathy in the victim’s right eye.

While the defense argued the injuries might improve, medical assessments indicated a high probability of permanent visual impairment, requiring over eight weeks of intensive medical treatment.

The court’s decision to impose a prison sentence was heavily influenced by B-Free’s extensive criminal record. The rapper has six prior convictions, many of which are related to violence.

Notably, he committed this latest assault while already on trial for a similar charge, demonstrating what the court described as a “high possibility of recidivism” and a blatant disregard for the law.

During the appeal, the prosecution sought to upgrade the charge to “serious injury,” while B-Free sought a lighter sentence by citing his self-composed lyrics in the song “Magic Hands,” where he pledged to refrain from violence.

However, the appellate court dismissed both arguments, ruling that the initial sentence of 16 months was within a reasonable scope of discretion given the severity of the victim’s disability and B-Free’s unpitying attitude.

A Legacy of Controversy: The BTS Connection

For many K-pop fans, the name B-Free is synonymous with one of the most infamous moments in early idol history.

In 2013, during a “KBH HipHop Radio” broadcast, B-Free sparked international outrage by verbally attacking BTS members RM and Suga .

He mocked them for wearing makeup and “selling out” to become idols instead of remaining “pure” rappers.

Despite several half-hearted apologies over the years—often dismissed by fans as opportunistic attempts to gain traction as BTS reached global superstardom—the rapper remained a persona non grata in the mainstream industry.

This latest prison sentence is being viewed by many as the final “trash taking itself out,” as one netizen put it, marking the end of a career defined more by aggression and controversy than musical contribution.

Final Verdict and Industry Impact

With the Seoul High Court’s ruling on January 2, the legal proceedings have reached their conclusion.

The court emphasized that the victim had repeatedly petitioned for a heavy sentence and refused to accept any settlement offers from the rapper.

As B-Free begins his 16-month prison term, the case serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences of violence in the industry.

For a figure who once critiqued others for their lack of “hip-hop spirit,” his legacy is now cemented not in music, but in a prison cell.

Fans of the K-pop and K-hip-hop communities have largely welcomed the news, hoping that this serves as a moment of justice for the victim and a permanent deterrent against the pattern of behavior that has plagued B-Free’s career for over a decade.

In a development that has cast a dark cloud over the future of the iconic group WINNER , member Song Mino (Song Min-ho) has found himself at the center of a severe legal and military controversy.

On December 31, 2025, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office officially indicted the 32-year-old rapper without detention on charges of violating the Military Service Act.

The indictment follows a year-long investigation into allegations that Mino neglected his duties as a social service worker, leading to public outcry and significant uncertainty regarding his potential jail time.

Allegations of Persistent Duty Evasion

The case against Mino involves a series of alleged violations that took place during his alternative military service, which he served from March 2023 to December 2024.

According to the prosecution and the Military Manpower Administration (MMA), Mino was found to have been absent from his assigned post for at least eight days without authorization.

Beyond these eight days, investigators used mobile phone tracking and GPS data to uncover a pattern of “lax attendance.”

Reports indicate that on the days Mino did report for duty, he often stayed for only brief periods, allegedly spending much of his work time playing games before leaving early.

The severity of the situation is compounded by the indictment of “Mr. A,” the head of the Mapo Community Convenience Facility, who is accused of knowingly allowing Mino’s irregular attendance and failing to report the misconduct.

Under Article 89 of the South Korean Military Service Act, a conscript who leaves their post for eight or more days without a justifiable reason can face a prison sentence of up to three years.

While Mino has been indicted without physical detention, the prosecution’s findings suggest that the legal consequences could be severe given the duration and nature of the negligence.

In addition to criminal penalties, the MMA has indicated that if the allegations are fully substantiated, Mino’s original discharge status could be canceled.

This would lead to a re-enlistment order, forcing him to serve his entire term again from the beginning—a scenario famously experienced by soloist Psy in the early 2000s.

During the police investigation, Mino reportedly admitted to the majority of the allegations, which may impact the finality of the court’s ruling.

Impact on WINNER’s 2026 Comeback

The legal battle has dealt a devastating blow to the plans for WINNER’s full-group activities. Fans had been eagerly anticipating a four-member comeback in 2026, marking the group’s first complete return since all members completed their service.

However, following the indictment, YG Entertainment has signaled that the group will likely move forward without Mino.

The other three members—Kang Seung-yoon, Kim Jin-woo, and Lee Seung-hoon—already held their first standalone concert in July 2025 as a trio while the investigation was ongoing.

With Mino now facing a trial and potential re-enlistment, industry experts believe that any upcoming albums or world tours will proceed as a three-member unit to distance the group’s brand from the military scandal.

Public Backlash and the Misogyny Debate

The scandal has reignited a fierce national debate in South Korea over “celebrity privilege” in the military.

Netizens have expressed feelings of betrayal, noting that Mino was assigned to a relatively comfortable social service role due to his documented mental health struggles (including Bipolar Disorder and panic disorder), only to allegedly abuse that flexibility.

The public’s harsh reaction to Mino has also been compared to recent controversies involving female idols, sparking discussions on how the public handles male versus female scandals.

While some argue that military evasion is a unique “national sin” in Korea, others point out that the fallout from this case could permanently tarnish the legacy of one of the industry’s most respected rappers.

As the trial proceeds in early 2026, the K-pop world remains focused on whether Mino will face imprisonment or the grueling path of starting his service anew.