G-Dragon admitted to hospital for ankle surgery

SEOUL, June 25 (UPI) -- G-Dragon, Big Bang's member who enjoys a wide global fan base, has been hospitalized due to an ankle surgery, YG Entertainment said on Monday.

The agency said that the South Korean singer-songwriter was admitted to a military hospital last week after suffering from ankle pain for months. The announcement came amid local media reports that raised the issue with the singer's use of a VIP hospital room.

Dispatch reported Monday that the K-pop star received a special treatment of staying at a colonel-level room equipped with an air-conditioner, a refrigerator and a private bathroom that are not usually allowed for lower-rank soldiers.

"The hospital room G-Dragon is staying is not a VIP room, but a small one-person room for soldiers. He was admitted to the room free from distractions and noise from visitors at the hospital. The suspicion of special treatment is groundless," an official of YG Entertainment was quoted as saying in a Yonhap report.

According to the official, G-Dragon, who was suffering from frequent ankle sprains, experienced worsening ankle pain since he began his military service earlier this year. He's been undergoing rehabilitation at the military hospital after a recent surgery.

G-Dragon began his mandatory military service in February. In South Korea, all men between the ages of 19 and 35 are obligated to serve in the military for two years.