[Commentary] Reminder for K-pop stans: DUI is a serious offense, not a laughing matter (2024)

In case we needed reminding: driving under the influence is a serious offense that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Downplaying famous personalities’ faults seems to be the norm among fans at the moment. In fact, making jokes out of it already says a lot about the fans themselves, and what they are “willing” to throw away just to show how big their support is for them.

On August 7, 2024, the Seoul Yeongsan Police Station announced to the media that BTS’ Suga was involved in a drunk driving case, where police patrolling the area found the BTS member on the street after falling off his electric scooter. The police, who smelled alcohol on BTS’ Suga, first brought him to a police station, where they conducted a breathalyzer test.

The test found that the BTS member’s blood alcohol level had exceeded the legal limit of 0.8%, prompting his license to be revoked.

Following this, both Suga and BIGHIT MUSIC issued separate apologies for the incident.

On Weverse, BTS’ Suga said:

“Hello, this is Suga.

I am very heavy-heated and apologetic to bring you disappointing news.

After drinking at a dinner yesterday night, I rode an electric scooter home. I violated the Road Traffic Act due to my complacent thinking that it was a short distance and my failure to recognize that using an electric scooter while intoxicated was prohibited. I fell while parking the scooter in front of my house, and the nearby police officer conducted a breathalyzer test, resulting in the cancellation of my license and a fine. Although there were no victims or damaged facilities in this process, it is entirely my responsibility without any excuse, and I sincerely apologize to everyone.

I apologize to everyone hurt by my careless and wrong actions, and I will be more careful in my actions in the future to prevent such incidents from occurring again.”

BIGHIT MUSIC’s statement was the following:

“Hello,

This is BIGHIT MUSIC.

We apologize for BTS member Suga’s electric scooter accident.

On the night of August 6 (Tuesday), Suga was on his way home in an intoxicated state, using an electric kickboard while wearing a helmet. He fell while parking after moving about 500 meters, and the police officer who was nearby conducted a breathalyzer test, resulting in a fine and the cancellation of his license. Nobody was hurt, and no property damage occurred due to the incident, and he was taken home under police custody.

We apologize for the disappointment caused by our artist’s inappropriate behavior. As a public service worker, he will receive appropriate disciplinary action from his workplace for causing public disturbance.

[Commentary] Reminder for K-pop stans: DUI is a serious offense, not a laughing matter (2024)

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