Singer Chancellor, XG producer Simon Jakops arrested in Japan drug bust

Korean producers landed in legal trouble

• Music producer Simon Jakops arrested in Japan on drug charges
• XG and their label state the group is not involved in the case
• Producer Chancellor also detained, both have worked with XG

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Music producer Simon Jakops, who has backed some of the biggest names in the K-pop industry, recently landed in legal trouble after they were taken into custody in a drug bust.

According to the Jiji Press, Junho Sakai, 39, better known by his stage name Simon Jakops, and three other men were detained on Monday at a hotel in Nagoya, Japan, on suspicion of having cocaine. Singer and producer Chancellor was also with him.

At around 12:20 a.m., four bags of white powder and one bag of plant fragments, possibly dried cannabis, were taken from the room.

Korean-Japanese music producer Sakai, a former member of the South Korean boy band DMTN, is now most known for founding and producing the girl group XG, who have gained international recognition since their 2022 debut.

The arrest was made soon after XG's second sold-out performance at Nagoya's IG Arena.

The 39-year-old Korean-American producer and singer Kim Jung-seung, also known by his stage name Chancellor and his English name Michael Kim, is reportedly one of the other suspects detained, according to the Malay Mail and Japan's TBS.

For almost ten years, Kim has been a significant figure in South Korea's R&B and hip-hop scenes.

In addition, he has produced K-pop music and worked with some of the industry's greatest names, such as Taeyeon of Girls' Generation.

As a producer for XG under Sakai, Kim has written and produced a number of the group's popular songs in recent years.

XG's record label released a statement on Thursday and emphasised that XG "is in no way involved" in the situation.

The statement reads, “An investigation is currently being conducted by the authorities, and we are fully cooperating with it.”

Additionally, XG released a statement that was distributed to their 3.4 million Instagram followers.

It continued, “We sincerely apologize for the delay in sharing our message. 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.”

The statement added, “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.”

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It concluded, “XG will continue to walk our own path, just as we always have. We would be grateful for your continued warm support and understanding.”

The tracks "Tippy Toes" and "Mascara" marked XG's 2022 debut.

Despite having no Korean members, the all-Japanese group is unique in that it uses the South Korean K-pop production style and training method.