South Korean model Kim Na Jeong investigated for alleged drug use following Philippines trip

Kim arrived at Incheon International Airport from Manila on Nov. 12, where she was interrogated by airport police for two hours before being released.

Reports suggest a rapid drug test was conducted, which allegedly returned positive results for Philopon, a commonly abused substance in South Korea.

South Korean model and announcer Kim Na Jeong. Photo courtesy of her Instagram

Earlier this month, Kim drew attention with a series of concerning social media posts during her trip to Manila. On Instagram, she expressed fears for her safety, stating she was too afraid to board a plane or leave the country.

In her posts, Kim shared screenshots of conversations with an unidentified individual, seeking help to contact the South Korean embassy. In another now-deleted post, she admitted to using drugs and experiencing hallucinations.

"I will die if I get on this plane. Please help me, Korea. I confess that I used drugs in the Philippines. I’m afraid I’ll end up dead due to my paranoia and can’t bring myself to board the plane," read the deleted post, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily.

The posts sparked widespread online discussions, prompting a netizen to file a police report accusing Kim of violating drug control laws.

Although questioned, Kim was not formally arrested. Police stated: "Kim requested protection, claiming her life was in danger. Upon her return to South Korea, we ensured her safety and began investigating her drug use."

Kim, 32, has been active as a model, weather presenter, and announcer since 2011, earning recognition for her work with multiple television stations. She won the "Miss Maxim" contest in 2019 and has appeared in programs like SBS’s "Black Sheep Game" and Wave Original’s "Ideology Verification Zone: The Community".