FCC Chair Brendan Carr to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee Amid Disney-ABC Controversy 
6 simple questions to tell if a ‘finfluencer’ is more flash than cash 
George Clooney Criticizes Trump’s Tariff Threat, Calls for Film Tax Incentives 
Some ‘Star Wars’ stories have already become reality 
Oscars 2025: who will likely win, who should win, and who barely deserves to be there 
Jazz Ensemble Cancels Kennedy Center New Year’s Eve Shows After Trump Renaming Sparks Backlash 
The quest to extend human life is both fascinating and fraught with moral peril 
Trump-Inspired Cantonese Opera Brings Laughter and Political Satire to Hong Kong 
Mexico Probes Miss Universe President Raul Rocha Over Alleged Criminal Links 
Disney’s Streaming Growth Hinges on International Expansion and Local Content 
FCC Chair Brendan Carr to Face Senate Oversight After Controversy Over Jimmy Kimmel Show 
Trump Signals He May Influence Netflix–Warner Bros Merger Decision 
How Marvel’s Fantastic Four discovered the human in the superhuman 
Trump Faces Mixed Reception at Kennedy Center Amid Conservative Overhaul 
Trump–Kushner Links Raise Concerns as Paramount Pushes $108B Warner Bros Discovery Bid 
It was revealed that BoA, the first-gen Kpop star, was investigated by the police at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor Office on Thursday, Dec. 17. The investigation is connected to an incident where she was accused of smuggling sleeping pills to South Korea.
BoA's alleged offense
As per Yonhap News Agency, BoA was questioned over the suspicions that she smuggled sleeping pills that are illegal in South Korea. The 34-year-old allegedly procured the prescription drug Zolpidem from Japan, and she got it under the name of an SM Entertainment staff who is working for her.
It was learned that this type of drug could be purchase over-the-counter but requires proper papers when it has to be shipped to South Korea. Since it lacks proper documents, BoA may possibly face a drug smuggling case.
Based on the rules set by the Korea Food & Drug Administration, the sleeping pills that BoA purchased through the staff need the government’s permission for its import. However, it seems that the SM Entertainment staff did not know about this and simply sent the drug to BoA, who was said to have been under treatment for her low levels of growth hormones thus, she needed lots of sleep.
SM Entertainment’s official statement
When the news about BoA’s investigation broke out, SM Entertainment immediately issued an apology to the public. The agency also mentioned that they will make sure that this kind of incident will never happen again in the future.
SM also explained in detail why BoA was investigated and why she purchased the sleeping pills. The formal apology was released on the same day when the news came out.
“It is true that the employee from the overseas branch shipped the medicine through the mail without following formal customs clearance procedures,” part of SM’s statement as translated by Soompi. “However, they were not intending to bring them in illegally; it was a mistake made due to ignorance.”
The statement further asserted that the incident only happened because of a mistake of the staff in their overseas office. Apparently, she has no knowledge about the trade or customs clearance process in South Korea. Also, BoA needs sleeping pills because she needs enough sleep to treat her growth hormone problem that was revealed during her recent physical examination.
