BTS member Suga has recently found himself at the center of controversy following his drunk driving incident, leading to significant divisions within the fanbase. While some fans express deep disappointment and call for his departure from the group, others argue that the criticism is excessive and that Suga should be allowed to handle the situation privately.
On August 6, Suga was booked by the police for driving an e-scooter under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227%, one of the highest levels recorded among K-pop artists. The news left many fans deeply disappointed.
A local BTS fan surnamed Han, remarked on Monday, "What he did was wrong, and there's no excusing it. But I think he's being overly criticized. Suga is not just an average K-pop idol; he's a global star with immense influence, and he knows this better than anyone. It was a reckless act."
Suga, Courtesy of the Instagram of the artist
Some fans have taken their discontent further by sending protest wreaths to Hybe’s headquarters in Seoul, demanding Suga’s removal from the group. The wreaths bore messages such as "Min Yoon-gi, leave," "You let go of our hands first," and "Resign before you face the press." Reports indicate that these protests were spontaneous actions by individual fans rather than an organized effort by the fandom.
Meanwhile, international fans have voiced concern for Suga's mental and emotional well-being, urging that he be given space to avoid excessive stress. Cassie Stewart, a BTS fan from Connecticut, USA, stated on Thursday, "I am concerned about Suga's mental and emotional health, especially considering what he has shared about his past struggles with mental health, and in light of recent events like the tragic case of actor Lee Sun-kyun."
Another BTS fan from the US, Mary Lutkus, echoed this sentiment, saying, "There's no question this was a crime, and the legal consequences should fit the offense. But what's shocking and infuriating is the vitriol and cruelty that the Korean public seems to enjoy directing at any celebrity who shows they are a fallible human being."
Suga, Courtesy of the Instagram of the artist
Music critic Lim Hee-yun noted that the high expectations placed on K-pop artists by local fans are deeply rooted in the culture of K-pop. "International fans need to understand that the foundation of K-pop is built on extremely high ethical standards. Without these strict expectations, the unique appeal of K-pop wouldn't exist," Lim said on Thursday.
Lim also highlighted the particular sensitivity of drunk driving in South Korea, especially when it involves prominent figures like BTS. "In South Korea, there's a particularly strong backlash against drunk driving, as seen in cases like that of trot singer Kim Ho-joong. Laws like the Yoon Chang-ho Act reflect how seriously this issue is taken here."
"BTS, as artists who have elevated the nation's prestige, are held to a higher ethical standard, even more so than Olympic champions. This is why the public reaction is so intense,” Lim added.
The Yoon Chang-ho Act was enacted after a tragic incident in 2018, where a young man named Yoon Chang-ho was killed by a drunk driver, reflecting the seriousness with which South Korean society views such offenses.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
Suga, Courtesy of the Instagram of the artist
BTS member Suga has recently found himself at the center of controversy following his drunk driving incident, leading to significant divisions within the fanbase. While some fans express deep disappointment and call for his departure from the group, others argue that the criticism is excessive and that Suga should be allowed to handle the situation privately.
On August 6, Suga was booked by the police for driving an e-scooter under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227%, one of the highest levels recorded among K-pop artists. The news left many fans deeply disappointed.
A local BTS fan surnamed Han, remarked on Monday, "What he did was wrong, and there's no excusing it. But I think he's being overly criticized. Suga is not just an average K-pop idol; he's a global star with immense influence, and he knows this better than anyone. It was a reckless act."
Suga, Courtesy of the Instagram of the artist
Some fans have taken their discontent further by sending protest wreaths to Hybe’s headquarters in Seoul, demanding Suga’s removal from the group. The wreaths bore messages such as "Min Yoon-gi, leave," "You let go of our hands first," and "Resign before you face the press." Reports indicate that these protests were spontaneous actions by individual fans rather than an organized effort by the fandom.
Meanwhile, international fans have voiced concern for Suga's mental and emotional well-being, urging that he be given space to avoid excessive stress. Cassie Stewart, a BTS fan from Connecticut, USA, stated on Thursday, "I am concerned about Suga's mental and emotional health, especially considering what he has shared about his past struggles with mental health, and in light of recent events like the tragic case of actor Lee Sun-kyun."
Another BTS fan from the US, Mary Lutkus, echoed this sentiment, saying, "There's no question this was a crime, and the legal consequences should fit the offense. But what's shocking and infuriating is the vitriol and cruelty that the Korean public seems to enjoy directing at any celebrity who shows they are a fallible human being."
Suga, Courtesy of the Instagram of the artist
Music critic Lim Hee-yun noted that the high expectations placed on K-pop artists by local fans are deeply rooted in the culture of K-pop. "International fans need to understand that the foundation of K-pop is built on extremely high ethical standards. Without these strict expectations, the unique appeal of K-pop wouldn't exist," Lim said on Thursday.
Lim also highlighted the particular sensitivity of drunk driving in South Korea, especially when it involves prominent figures like BTS. "In South Korea, there's a particularly strong backlash against drunk driving, as seen in cases like that of trot singer Kim Ho-joong. Laws like the Yoon Chang-ho Act reflect how seriously this issue is taken here."
"BTS, as artists who have elevated the nation's prestige, are held to a higher ethical standard, even more so than Olympic champions. This is why the public reaction is so intense,” Lim added.
The Yoon Chang-ho Act was enacted after a tragic incident in 2018, where a young man named Yoon Chang-ho was killed by a drunk driver, reflecting the seriousness with which South Korean society views such offenses.
