Two producers behind some of K-pop’s biggest hits have been arrested in a drug bust.
Junho Sakai, 39, better known by his stage name Simon Jakops, was arrested on Monday with three other men at a hotel in Nagoya, Japan, on suspicion of possessing cocaine, according to the Jiji Press.
Four bags of white powder and one bag of plant fragments, believed to be dried cannabis, were seized from the room at around 12:20 a.m.
Sakai is a former member of the South Korean boy band DMTN, but these days he’s best known for creating and producing the girl group XG, who have achieved international fame since their debut in 2022.
The arrest took place after XG’s second sold-out show at Nagoya’s IG Arena.
According to the Malay Mail and Japan’s TBS, one of the other suspects that was arrested is allegedly Korean-American producer and artist Kim Jung-seung, 39, also known by his stage name Chancellor and his English name Michael Kim.
The producers behind chart-topping girl group XG (pictured) have been arrested in a drug bust
Kim has been a major player in South Korea’s hip-hop and R&B scene for more than a decade.
He has also worked as a K-pop producer and has collaborated with some of K-pop’s biggest stars, including Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon.
In recent years, Kim has worked under Sakai as a producer for XG, writing and producing many of the group’s hit singles.
XG’s record label issued a statement on Thursday, stressing that XG ‘is in no way involved’ in the matter.
‘An investigation is currently being conducted by the authorities, and we are fully cooperating with it,’ they said.
XG also issued a statement of their own, which was shared with their 3.4million followers on Instagram.
‘We sincerely apologize for the delay in sharing our message,’ they wrote.
‘We were deeply shocked and confused by the sudden news, and we are still trying to process it ourselves. In moments like this, we are reminded more than ever of how much your support means to us,’ they continued.
Producers Simon Jakops and Chancellor were arrested in a hotel in Japan shortly after XG’s concert at Nagoya’s IG Arena
The pair have written and produced many of XG’s biggest hits
‘We will continue, as we always have, to face our music with sincerity and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our activities as XG. We want to cherish every step of this journey and move forward together with you.’
The group added, ‘XG will continue to walk our own path, just as we always have. We would be grateful for your continued warm support and understanding.’
Daily Mail has contacted XGALX for comment.
XG made their debut in 2022 with the singles Tippy Toes and Mascara.
The group, comprised of all Japanese members, are unique for using the South Korean K-pop training system and production style, despite having no Korean members.
This has led to some controversy around the group’s identity, with debates breaking out on whether or not XG should be considered J-pop or K-pop.
Despite the ambiguity, XG have broken out in a major way on the global music scene over the past two years.
They performed at Coachella last April and then on the finale of NBC’s The Voice.
Two of their albums have cracked the Billboard 200 so far, but most of their success has been in Japan and South Korea.
The group have earned endorsement deals with huge brands like Nike and McDonald’s, and on February 5, member Cocona was announced as the latest brand ambassador for Gucci.
XG, a Japanese girl group formed in South Korea, have topped charts across the globe and even performed at Coachella last year
Member Cocona (pictured) made headlines in December after coming out as non-binary
In December, Cocona came out as transmasculine non-binary in an emotional post on their 20th birthday.
‘Today, I turned 20. As I reach this new chapter in my life, I want to share something that’s been in my heart for a long time,’ Cocona wrote in a statement.
‘I am [assigned female at birth] transmasculine non-binary. Earlier this year, I had top surgery.’
The star continued, ‘I was born and perceived as female, but that label never represented who I truly am. I live in a way that feels more masculine and true to who I am. The hardest thing I’ve ever faced was accepting and embracing myself.’
XG are currently wrapping up the Japanese leg of their second world tour.
They’re expected to announce further dates in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and more.
