Hyun Jin-young Sends 'STOP DRUG' Message to Youth: Why He Is Releasing This Special T-Shirt

Singer Hyun Jin-young (55) has unveiled a "STOP DRUG" t-shirt he designed himself, delivering a message of drug prevention to the youth.

Hyun Jin-young recently shared photos on his social media taken with his wife, Oh Seo-woon. The couple is seen wearing new products from "XKARA," a fashion brand launched by Hyun in 2023, while enjoying a meal at a Korean restaurant run by singer Kim Jang-hoon.

Regarding the t-shirt, Hyun Jin-young stated, "This design is a reproduction of the album jacket from I.W.B.H, a project hip-hop group I released in 1997." He added, "STOP DRUG was the title track of that album, but I wanted to convey a slightly different meaning this time." He explained, "I created this design specifically to send a message to many people, including teenagers, that they must never do drugs."

He wrote with a laugh, "Honestly, it is a bit embarrassing for me to wear a t-shirt with this kind of slogan on it," but added, "It is okay because I am living a very good and diligent life now."

This t-shirt draws more attention as it is not just a fashion item, but a symbol that encapsulates Hyun Jin-young's own life.

Hyun Jin-young was a first-generation artist who led the domestic hip-hop craze in the 1990s, but he went through a long dark period after getting involved with drugs during his prime. Having broken free from drugs in the early 2000s through voluntary treatment and determination, he has since consistently participated in drug prevention campaigns and public service activities, using his own experience to raise awareness about the importance of preventing recidivism and educating youth. This "STOP DRUG" t-shirt is an extension of those efforts.

Hyun Jin-young, who launched the fashion brand "XKARA" in 2023, which reinterprets his stage outfits in a modern way, previously stated, "I put my hope into it that Generation X and the MZ generation could empathize with each other through fashion," and "I want to share emotions that transcend generations through the mediums of music and fashion." 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)