B.I's agency, 131 Label, announced on their official social media on March 10, stating, "B.I will begin his alternative service as a social service agent starting March 16, 2026, fulfilling his duty as a citizen of South Korea."
They added, "B.I aims to complete his service healthily and return to greet his fans with a more mature image. Until we meet again in good health, we ask for your continued love and support for B.I's music."
In 2019, it was revealed that B.I had smoked marijuana in 2016. He was charged with drug use and received a three-year prison sentence, suspended for four years. As a result, he left the group iKON and terminated his contract with YG Entertainment.
Reported by Yeji Ryu, TenAsia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr