Flower wreaths containing a message calling for SUGA to leave BTS were laid in front of Hybe’s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the morning of August 13. The wreaths urged SUGA to leave the group with phrases such as “Min Yoongi, leave,” “You’re the one who let go of our hand,” and “What are you doing on the front page of the newspapers?“
Beyond the protests, voices calling for SUGA’s withdrawal from the group also continue to be heard in online communities and social media services. While the hashtag movement for SUGA’s voluntary withdrawal has spread on X (formerly Twitter), some have raised controversy over the “Drunk Driving Challenge,” which ridicules SUGA’s drunk driving (drunk driving is dangerous and illegal).
SUGA was found by police while driving an electric vehicle near his home in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu on August 6. The Yongsan Police Station arrested SUGA and he was investigated the next day for violating traffic laws.
Initially, SUGA was advertised as riding an electric scooter. However, CCTV footage showed that the advertised “scooter” was classified as a motorized bicycle with a seat. It can be subject to criminal penalties in the same way as driving under the influence of alcohol in a car.
In addition, the police’s blood alcohol level was 0.227%, far exceeding the standard for license cancellation (0.08%). In response, public opinion was cold as Big Hit Music‘s agency and SUGA tried to downplay the matter by saying that the “electric vehicle” was a fake “electric scooter” and that the blood alcohol level, which was found to be 0.227%, could not coincide with the initial statement that “I drank a beer“.
Since then, the movement to demand SUGA’s withdrawal from the group has intensified, focusing on some ARMYs (BTS’s fandom name). On the other hand, there are still many ARMYs who support and defend SUGA, and the conflict between the two parties continues to be contentious on social media services.
SUGA has been a social worker since last September and is doing his mandatory military service.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Korean Medias
