Kim Badah of Sinawe Faces Detention for Marijuana Use, April Rock Festival Cancelled
The former vocalist of the band Sinawe, Kim Badah, also known as Kim Jungnam, is currently facing potential detention after being suspected of using and possessing marijuana, which has led to the cancellation of his forthcoming performance at a rock festival. A special examination of the arrest warrant was carried out by the Chuncheon District Court Sokcho Branch. Kim, who was arrested on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act, was brought in by police officers, handcuffed and accompanied by reporters. Refusing to respond to their inquiries, he walked straight into the courthouse.
The arrest occurred on March 8 in downtown Sokcho when Kim was detained by law enforcement after extensive surveillance, leading to a confession during questioning. This isn’t the first time Kim has been associated with drug use as he was previously arrested in connection with marijuana in early 2010.
Kim Badah made his debut as the fifth vocalist of Sinawe back in 1996 and remained active until 1999 when he left the band. Subsequently, he pursued his passion for music with various other groups like Butterfly Effect, Ratiose, and Art of Parties. He has been featured on popular music shows such as “Immortal Songs” on KBS and “King of Masked Singer” on MBC. Last year, he released a track titled “Hello Sunshine.”
The organizers of the “2026 Seoul Hero Rock Festival x Tree Hundred” made an official announcement via social media informing the public that Kim would be unable to perform at the festival scheduled for April 26. They expressed their regrets over the circumstances and sought understanding from his fans and the audience.
An official from the Hero Rock Festival team confirmed that they had been in continuous communication with Kim’s agency following the reports of his detainment. The agency needed time to verify the situation and subsequently communicated that Kim’s participation in the festival would no longer be feasible. They emphasized the diligence behind their announcement and sought empathy for the delay.
The current developments surrounding Kim’s situation have stirred the music world and his fans. The uncertainty surrounding his legal issues and the impact on his music career bring an air of concern and dismay to those who have followed his journey. The organizers of the festival are now looking at alternative options while his fans eagerly await his return to the stage.