SEOUL • BigBang member T.O.P has been indicted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana, prosecutors said yesterday.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said the 29-year-old K-pop star is suspected of smoking the drug four times with an aspiring female singer at his home in Seoul in October last year.

The news comes amid reports that the rapper had written a letter of apology.

T.O.P came under fire last week after he was accused of smoking the drug, reported the Korea Herald.

He tested positive for marijuana in a test conducted by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's drug crime unit in March. Under South Korean law, marijuana use is punishable by up to five years in jail or a fine of up to 50 million won (S$61,700).

In a handwritten letter released by management agency YG Entertainment on Sunday, T.O.P said: "I would like to extend my sincere apology to many of you for causing huge disappointment and disturbance. I feel so embarrassed that I can't show myself in front of you to apologise."

He began his military service on Feb 9 and has been serving in the band unit of the Seoul National Police Agency.

His bandmates have tried to contain the fallout, with G-Dragon apologising to fans at a meet-up last Saturday in Osaka's Kyocera Dome.

According to Japanese news outlet Daily Sports, he said: "We will make sure something like this does not happen again. Please continue to support us."