BTS member Suga, who is under investigation for allegedly driving an electric scooter while intoxicated, arrives at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, Friday, for questioning. Yonhap Fans, industry officials, critics split over Suga's future By KTimes A heated debate has erupted both within Korea and internationally over whether BTS member Suga should leave the group following his involvement in a drunk driving incident. Suga, who was recently booked for driving an electric scooter while heavily intoxicated, has become the center of a controversy that has divided fans and media alike.
The response to Suga's actions has varied significantly between domestic and international audiences. In Korea, both fans and media have expressed strong disapproval of his behavior and the way he handled the situation after being caught. Many believe that his actions have tarnished BTS' image, and some fans are calling for his departure from the group.
In contrast, international media and fans have criticized the Korean press for what they see as an excessively harsh treatment of the idol. French weekly Paris Match questioned the relentless criticism Suga has faced from Korean journalists, despite his admission of irresponsible behavior. The magazine highlighted the difficulty in understanding the cultural expectations placed on K-pop idols in Korea.
It noted that if Suga were to leave BTS, it could be challenging for the group’s label, HYBE, to explain the situation in the U.S., where such scandals are typically handled differently.
BTS's Suga bows his head in apology at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, Friday, ahead of questioning. Korea Times photo by Shin Yong-joo Fans divided Fan reactions are also deeply divided. Jung Min-jae, a popular music critic told The Korea Times on Aug.
14 that that it would be "strictly impossible" for the 31-year-old star and his agency to regain the trust of disappointed Korean fans if he continues his activities as a member. He also said that even if all the members complete their military service and the full group activities resume, public opinion in Korea is likely to remain negative as long as Suga continues to be active. After these comments were made public, Jung faced intense backlash from BTS fans around the world, who are known as ARMY.
Emails and social media posts flooded in, demanding an apology for his remarks, and some even made international phone calls to express their anger. Disturbingly, Jung's wife’s social media accounts were also targeted with malicious comments, many of which came from BTS fans around the world. This situation highlights the stark differences in how domestic and international audiences perceive the misconduct of celebrities, especially K-pop idols.
Lim Hee-yoon, another prominent music critic, said, "Among American fans, there is a perception that the Korean media is engaged in a 'takedown of BTS,' illustrating how the atmosphere differs markedly from that in Korea." He added, "There is a difference in social standards regarding drunk driving, and the domestic sentiment is particularly distinct because BTS carries a national representative-like image in Korea." As the attacks against Jung continued, some domestic fans who supported his statements left comments like, "As a fellow fan, I apologize on their behalf," and "There are fans who appreciate you for voicing the right opinion.
" Fans demanding the departure of BTS' Suga (real name Min Yoon-gi) from the group have sent wreaths to protest in front of the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul. Captured from Instagram Industry and experts weigh in Suga was summoned for his first police interrogation on Friday, 17 days after the accident, and reactions to his future with BTS have become sharply polarized. Even among fans who have consistently shown steadfast support for the group, opinions are now divided.
Some argue that Suga has damaged BTS' image and should leave the group for the sake of the other six members and the fans. On the other hand, many fans believe that Suga’s actions do not warrant his departure from the group, insisting that "BTS must remain together as seven members." Following news of Suga's accident, wreaths and trucks bearing messages demanding his departure from BTS appeared in front of HYBE's headquarters.
In response, some fans reported these truck protests to the police, arguing that they were not authorized. Additionally, a number of fans began posting photos and videos on social media showing themselves holding bottles of alcohol inside vehicles, dubbing it the "Suga Challenge." Industry experts are also weighing in on the controversy.
An official at an entertainment agency questioned whether the situation is severe enough to warrant Suga’s departure from BTS. “While his actions certainly merit significant criticism, it's debatable whether they are grave enough to justify his leaving the group,” the official said. “If he offers a sincere apology to the public and undertakes a period of genuine self-reflection, it is unlikely to cause lasting harm to the group.
” Another entertainment agency official echoed that sentiment, saying, "Drunk driving is indeed a serious mistake, but since no one was injured and there was no material damage, it seems sufficient that he faces punishment for his wrongdoing. I don't think this is an issue that warrants discussions of his departure." However, there are also opinions that BTS should not be treated leniently just because they are a prominent K-pop group.
An official at another entertainment company argued, "If this had been a member of a smaller agency's group or a rookie group, they would have been immediately expelled." He added that regardless of whether there were injuries, drunk driving is a serious crime, and Suga’s dishonesty after the incident has significantly damaged BTS’ reputation. "Given BTS’ immense influence on young people worldwide, Suga’s departure might be necessary to preserve the group’s image," he said.
BTS member Suga arrives at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on Friday for police questioning. Yonhap Future unclear Music critic Kim Do-heon has expressed the view that Suga’s departure from BTS might be in the best interest of the group. He said, “BTS’s message and Suga’s drunk driving are fundamentally at odds.
If Suga remains in the group, it would be contradictory to everything the group has stood for. If he doesn’t leave, BTS will have to carry this burden with them, so it would be better for the group if he steps down.” On the other hand, critic Lim Hee-yoon emphasized that, above all, Suga and his agency, HYBE, must issue a public apology that adequately addresses the public's concerns.
Lim said, “If there had been a loss of life, the situation would be entirely different, but since that’s not the case, I think it would be appropriate for Suga to sincerely apologize for the drunk driving incident and the subsequent dishonesty before resuming activities with BTS.” Suga arrived at Yongsan Police Station at 7:45 p.m.
on Friday. His demeanor was somber and reflective. As he faced the gathered press, he bowed his head in a gesture of humility and addressed them with a sincere apology: "Above all, I am profoundly sorry.
I deeply regret the disappointment I have caused to so many fans and others. I will fully cooperate with the investigation. Once again, I offer my sincerest apologies.
" He then entered the Traffic Investigation Unit building without responding to questions from reporters about why he did not immediately go to the police station after being caught or whether his claim of drinking only one beer was true. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times..
