BTS member Suga (Min Yoon-gi) is currently facing backlash after being caught driving an electric scooter while intoxicated. The incident has sparked outrage among fans and the public, leading to protest wreaths demanding his departure from the group. Photos of around 20 flower wreaths with messages such as „Min Yoon-gi, leave BTS“ and „Resign voluntarily for drunk driving (Suga)“ were placed in front of HYBE’s headquarters in Seoul.
The backlash against Suga has also extended to online communities, where netizens have been sharing satirical posts mocking his actions. One viral post compared Suga’s reported blood alcohol level of 0.227 percent to a high jump record at the 2024 Paris Olympics, highlighting the severity of his intoxication. Additionally, a bar graph comparing Suga’s blood alcohol level to other celebrities involved in drunk driving scandals has been circulating online.
Suga, who has been serving as a social service agent since September last year, is now facing resurfaced allegations of negligence during his service. A post on Gongik Ingan, an app used by social service agents, claimed that Suga had displayed an uncooperative attitude during his basic training. While the authenticity of the post has not been confirmed, it has reignited past controversies surrounding Suga’s conduct as a social service agent.
In addition to the backlash and allegations of negligence, a video has been released showing Suga crashing into a curb while driving the electric scooter in a heavily intoxicated state. The CCTV footage aired on Yonhap News TV captured Suga riding the scooter on the sidewalk before colliding with the curb and falling. Patrol officers who were nearby conducted a breathalyzer test, revealing Suga’s high blood alcohol concentration of 0.227 percent.
Despite claiming to have only consumed one beer and driven for a short while, Suga’s intoxicated state prevented a thorough investigation at the time of the incident. The police plan to formally summon Suga for further questioning and investigation into the matter.
The controversy surrounding Suga’s drunk driving incident has raised concerns among fans and the public regarding his behavior as a member of BTS and as a social service agent. The protest wreaths, online mockery, and resurfaced allegations of negligence have put Suga under scrutiny, prompting discussions about accountability and responsibility in the public eye.