Pre-Debut BTS Member Faces Multiple Arrests After Chart-Topping Success

Iron, former trainee linked to BTS’ early days, faced multiple legal troubles before his tragic death in 2021.

The controversy began when Iron, originally known as Jung Hun Cheol, was part of BTS’s pre-debut lineup under BigHit Entertainment in 2010. He left the company by January 2011 but stayed active in the underground rap scene with the crew DaeNamHyup alongside RM and others.

Iron gained fame after finishing second on Show Me The Money 3 (SMTM 3). His tracks ranked high on Gaon charts, including “Malice” at number 2 and “Puss,” a collaboration with former AOA’s Shin Jimin, hitting number 1. He also featured on SHINee Jonghyun’s “Crazy,” which charted well.

In September 2016, Iron released his first album Rock Bottom. That same year, his legal issues began. He was convicted for smoking marijuana and received a suspended sentence.

Soon after, Iron was accused of assault by an ex-girlfriend. She claimed he hit her during sex, caused fractures, strangled her when she tried to end the relationship, and threatened her by injuring himself with a kitchen knife. Police detained Iron during the investigation.

As the situation unfolded, Iron exposed his accuser’s identity online and called her a masochist. In 2018, he was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years and 80 hours of community service.

In 2020, Iron was arrested again for allegedly assaulting his 18-year-old male roommate with a baseball bat. However, no sentence was given for these allegations.

Tragically, on January 21, 2021, Iron was found bleeding in a flowerbed at his apartment complex. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His funeral took place on January 28, 2021, marking the end of a troubled but talented rapper’s life.