Highlights
Due to the recent drunk-driving accident while on his mandatory military service in South Korea, BTS rapper Suga, whose real name is Min Yoongi, has become the subject of controversy. The accident which took place on Tuesday evening, involved Suga riding an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol. The K-pop star immediately apologized for his misdeed and admitted to having violated the traffic laws of the country. At the same time, the company of BTS, BigHit Music, commented on the situation and said that Suga was punished for the actions. This event has led to debates on the role of celebrities and the difficulties faced while serving in the military while preserving the image.
The Incident: It Was A Night Of Very Bad Decisions
On Tuesday night, Suga decided to ride an electric scooter home, which turned out to be a fatal decision, after having some alcohol for dinner. Although he had a helmet on, his decision-making skills were affected and he embarked on a sequence of events that would later result in headlines. Suga was trying to park the scooter at the vicinity of his house when he tripped over and fell off. Thankfully, the fall did not cause any harm to the people or damage to property.
But Suga’s luck was up when a police officer close by saw the incident. The officer administered a breathalyzer test and this proved that Suga was indeed drunk. Thus, Suga lost his driver’s license on the spot and was fined for violating road traffic laws.
The incident brings to light the need for one to be on the right side especially when you are in the limelight and people are looking up to you. It also brings into the memory of the risks of operating any vehicle including the electric scooters while under the influence of alcohol.
Suga’s Apology and Public Response
Subsequently, Suga went to the Weverse, a fan community platform, to explain his behavior and to apologize to his fans or the ARMY. Suga in his sincere apology said that he was sorry for his ‘reckless and wrong doings’ that let down many people.
The rapper said he had not known that it was unlawful to ride an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol, adding that the distance was short. However, he was very keen to point out that this was no justification for his actions and accepted full blame for what he had done.
Some fans and members of the public appreciated Suga’s apology while others did not feel the same way. While some of them were upset that he made a poor decision, others applauded his honesty and readiness to admit his mistake. It has raised concerns regarding the stress the idols of K-pop music go through and the need to make the right decisions even at the time when one is serving his country’s military.
BigHit Music’s Reaction and Penalties
The management of BTS, BigHit Music, did not take long to release a statement about the issue. The company was able to provide further details on the accident and as per the details provided Suga had ridden the electric scooter for about 500 meters before he lost balance while trying to park the scooter.
The agency’s statement also noted that there were no personal injuries, as well as no loss or damage to property. But they admitted that Suga’s actions were severe and that his decision made many fans and the general public upset.
Regarding the incident, BigHit Music stated that Suga would be subjected to ‘adequate punishment’ from his company. Since Suga is currently a social service worker for his compulsory army service, this disciplinary action is more likely to be carried out by the authorities of the social service agency that he is serving.
The agency’s quick reaction and the threat to punish the perpetrator prove that they do not tolerate the contamination of their artists’ reputation and do not allow them to act unlawfully. It also shows the general expectations from the K-pop idols and their agencies in terms of their professionalism and morality.
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