Kim Bada pulls out of April rock festival over marijuana allegations.
Kim Bada, the former lead singer of the band Sinawe, has decided to forgo his appearance at an upcoming rock festival amidst allegations of marijuana inhalation. The scheduled event, the “2026 Seoul Hero Rock Festival x Tree Hundred,” revealed on its official social media that Kim Bada would not be able to make his scheduled performance due to pending issues related to the artist. The festival organizers expressed their regrets and sought the audience’s understanding in a statement.
The controversy surrounding Kim Bada arose after reports emerged of his potential involvement in marijuana-related activities. As a result, his participation in the Seoul Hero Rock Festival, set to occur at the Oil Tank Culture Park in Seoul’s Mapo District on April 25–26, was cast into doubt. Following his arrest by the Sokcho Police Station in Gangwon Province the previous day for alleged possession and use of marijuana, Kim Bada confessed to the accusations during the authorities’ questioning.
This is not the first time Kim Bada has been embroiled in such a controversy, as he reportedly encountered a similar situation back in 2010. As the fifth vocalist of Sinawe, Kim Bada began his music career in 1996, remaining with the band until 1999. Subsequently, he ventured into various other music projects, including Butterfly Effect, Ratios, and Art of Parties, while also making appearances on popular music programs like “Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend” on KBS and “King of Mask Singer” on MBC. His latest album, “Hello Sunshine,” was released in May last year.
The Seoul Hero Rock Festival organizers acknowledged their ongoing communication with Kim Bada’s agency in the wake of the recent developments. Despite efforts to determine the veracity of the situation, it was eventually confirmed that Kim Bada’s presence at the festival would not be feasible, leading to the announcement of his cancellation.
The announcement of Kim Bada’s withdrawal from the rock festival has left fans and attendees disappointed, yet understanding of the circumstances. The festival, which was set to feature a diverse lineup of rock performances, will proceed without Kim Bada’s participation, as the artist navigates the repercussions of the unfolding situation.