Kim Bada's Legal Battle: Why His Arrest Warrant Was Denied

Kim Daun | 2026.03.10

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[iNews24 Reporter Kim Da-un] A court denied a detention warrant for Kim Bada (55, legal name Kim Jeong-nam), the lead singer of rock band Sinawe, who is accused of possessing and smoking marijuana.

  On March 10, at the Sokcho branch of the Chuncheon District Court, Sinawe lead singer Kim Bada appeared for a pre-arrest suspect hearing (warrant review). 2026.3.10 [Photo=Yonhap]
  On March 10, at the Sokcho branch of the Chuncheon District Court, Sinawe lead singer Kim Bada appeared for a pre-arrest suspect hearing (warrant review). 2026.3.10 [Photo=Yonhap]

Judge Jo Yak-dol, the warrant judge at the Chuncheon District Court's Sokcho branch, dismissed the request for pretrial detention on charges alleging violations of the Narcotics Control Act.

Judge Jo said prosecutors had not provided sufficient evidence to show a risk of flight or of tampering with evidence, which would justify detention.

Kim arrived at the courthouse with police at about 1:35 p.m. for the warrant-review hearing.

He walked into the court without answering reporters' questions, including “Do you have a message for your fans?” and “What is your position on the scheduled performances?”

Police say Kim Bada is accused of possessing and smoking marijuana.

After obtaining an arrest warrant, investigators tracked him for roughly two months and arrested him at a location in Sokcho at around 8:30 p.m. on the 8th.

Police say Kim admitted the charges during questioning.

He was previously detained in early 2010 on suspicion of smoking marijuana.

  Sinawe\'s Kim Bada appeared on MBC\'s King of Mask Singer in 2025 as “Captain Dreaming of a Big Catch.” [Photo=MBC broadcast screen capture]
  Sinawe's Kim Bada appeared on MBC's King of Mask Singer in 2025 as “Captain Dreaming of a Big Catch.” [Photo=MBC broadcast screen capture]

Kim debuted in 1996 as Sinawe's fifth lead vocalist and remained with the band through 1999.

He later performed with bands Nabi Effect, Raychios and Art of Parties and also pursued a solo career. He rejoined Sinawe in 2015 and took part in the band's full reunion comeback concert that July.

Kim has regularly appeared on music programs such as KBS's Immortal Songs and MBC's King of Mask Singer, and he released the solo track “Nugu” in 2018.