Rappers Nafla and Loopy, first- and second-place winners of Mnet’s hip-hop audition program "Show Me The Money 777” (2018) admitted to using marijuana last year.

It was revealed Monday that five rappers — Nafla, Loopy, Young West, Owen and Bloo — were caught by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's drug investigation unit for using marijuana in September last year.

The five, who are all under the same hip-hop label MKIT RAIN, are alleged to have smoked marijuana in their agency studio between August and September last year.

Both hair and urine drug tests conducted on Nafla and Loopy were positive. During the investigation Nafla admitted using marijuana with Loopy at the studio, which he said was purchased by Young West.

Rapper Young West was indicted in July and is currently on trial. The other four were suspended from indictment because they were first-time offenders.

MKT RAIN posted an official statement on its Instagram on Monday.

"All of our artists were investigated for marijuana smoking last year," the label wrote. "All of the members admit their wrongdoings, sincerely regret them and are deeply reflecting on themselves.”

The agency said they have changed their management methods to check their artists’ private lives as a disciplinary measure to prevent similar cases from occurring.

Rapper Owen who appeared on the first episode of the new season of "Show Me the Money" which aired last Friday will no longer appear in the show, Mnet announced on Tuesday. Any scenes he appeared in on future episodes will be edited out and his appearances in the first episode will also be removed, Mnet said.

Rapper Bloo recently gained fame for his sleeper hit “Downtown Baby,” topping local charts this summer.



BY KIM YEON-AH [kim.yeonah@joongang.co.kr]