BTS’ Suga, a prominent member of the globally renowned K-pop group, recently found himself at the center of controversy following an incident involving an electric scooter. On Tuesday night, the 31-year-old artist was caught driving the scooter under the influence of alcohol, resulting in his license being suspended. Suga, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, took to Weverse, a fan community platform, to express his regret and apologize for his actions.
In his detailed post, Suga admitted to drinking during dinner and deciding to ride the electric scooter home, mistakenly believing it was safe due to the short distance. However, upon reaching his home, he fell while parking the scooter and was subjected to a breathalyzer test by a nearby police officer. The test revealed a blood alcohol content above 0.08, the threshold for license revocation in South Korea. Despite the fall, there was no property damage or injuries reported.
Suga was fined and his license was revoked following the incident. BTS’ record label, BigHit Music, confirmed the details, emphasizing that Suga had worn a helmet and traveled about 500 meters before the fall. They also issued an apology for the disappointment caused by Suga’s behavior, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident given Suga’s ongoing mandatory military service as a social service agent.
Public Response and Official Statements
The incident has sparked a polarized response from fans and the public. While some fans were quick to forgive Suga, citing his honesty and immediate apology, others argued that as a high-profile public figure, he should have been more aware of the laws and regulations. On social media, debates ensued, with supporters urging leniency and critics demanding accountability.
BigHit Music’s statement highlighted that Suga had acted irresponsibly and assured that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The label expressed their commitment to ensuring their artists adhere to legal standards and public expectations. They also noted that Suga would comply with any further disciplinary actions from his place of work due to the social disturbance caused by the incident.
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Suga’s apology on Weverse was heartfelt and earnest, acknowledging his mistake and the disappointment it brought to his fans and the public. He vowed to be more cautious in the future and to take full responsibility for his actions. “I apologize to everyone who was hurt by my careless and wrong actions,” he wrote. “I will be more careful in my actions to avoid this from happening again.”
Suga’s Military Service and Future Plans
Suga’s military service has been a significant part of his recent life, with the artist engaged in social service work due to a shoulder injury that rendered him unfit for regular combat duty. He still has less than a year left in his mandatory service, which he started in 2023. This incident, however, might bring additional disciplinary measures from his superiors.
Despite the recent controversy, Suga’s career achievements continue to shine. Earlier this year, he scored the highest-grossing concert movie of 2024 with “Agust D ‘D-Day’.” This success, coupled with his transparent handling of the recent incident, reflects his resilience and dedication to his fans and career. As he continues his service, his fans remain hopeful for his return to music and the eventual reunion of BTS.
The BTS members, including Suga, have been pursuing solo projects since announcing a break from group activities in June 2022. The break was aimed at allowing each member to fulfill their mandatory military service while exploring individual artistic ventures. J-Hope is expected to be the next member to complete his service, with a discharge scheduled for October. The rest of the band, including Suga, will finish their service by June 2025, marking a significant milestone for the group and their fans.