Suga of K-pop supergroup BTS was recently involved in a drunk driving incident, sparking considerable social backlash and raising concerns among fans.
While ARMY, the official fandom of the internationally popular boy band, has voiced significant concerns about the potential legal troubles of a member, the incident also risks overshadowing the future of BTS, which has been previously celebrated for its scandal-free reputation.
On the night of Aug. 6, Suga was found and booked by police for riding an electric scooter while intoxicated near his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul.
BigHit Entertainment, a subsidiary of HYBE Labels representing BTS, initially stated that “Suga was using an electric kickboard while wearing a helmet on his way home in a drunken state.”
Suga also issued an apology, claiming that the vehicle he was using was none other than an electric kick scooter, commonly known as electric kickboard in Korea. “I failed to realize that it was reckless to think it was safe due to the short distance and that it was against road traffic laws to use an electric kickboard while intoxicated,” he wrote.
However, what initially appeared to be the acclaimed rapper’s honest admission of his mistakes turned out to be misleading. The situation escalated 스포츠 when it was revealed that he had been riding an electric scooter with a seat, and not an electric kickboard as initially claimed.
According to the police, the vehicle Suga was found to be riding was an electric scooter capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour. This type of scooter legally differs from electric kickboards, which have a maximum speed of less than 25 kilometers per hour and are classified as personal mobility devices.
Under Korea’s Road Traffic Act, operating an electric scooter while intoxicated is subject to the same administrative penalties as driving a car under the influence. These penalties can include imprisonment for one to two years or a fine of up to 10 million won ($7,295).