Media Outlets Report Inconsistencies in Suga’s Apology Following Drunk Driving Controversy

On August 7, 2024, media outlets reported that BTS‘s Suga is under investigation by the police for operating an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol. The incident, which occurred on the night of August 6, 2024, has sparked significant public interest and criticism.

Suga’s Apology on Weverse and Initial Police Report

According to the police, Suga was found alone on the streets after riding an electric scooter while intoxicated. Officers who were patrolling the area assisted him and brought him to a nearby police station for further investigation.

Following the incident, Suga issued an apology on Weverse, expressing his regret and explaining the situation from his perspective. The full translated apology is provided below:

“Hello, this is Suga. I’m feeling extremely heavy-hearted and sorry to have to come to you all over such a disappointing matter. I rode an electric scooter home last night, after having drinks with dinner. I thought it was a close distance, and I did not realize that you could not operate an electric scooter after drinking.

As such, I violated traffic rules. I parked in front of the main gates to my home, and I fell over by myself in that process. A police was nearby, and through the results of a breathalyzer test, my license was revoked and I paid a fine. Although no one was hurt, neither was any property harmed in the matter, as this is inexcusably something I have to take responsibility for, I bow my head in apology to everyone. I apologize to those who were hurt by my irresponsible and wrong actions, and I will be even more careful with my actions to prevent such matters from occurring in the future.”
— Suga

Discrepancies Between Suga’s Statement and Police Findings

However, netizens quickly noticed discrepancies between Suga’s apology and the official statement provided by the police. Suga mentioned in his apology that he had ridden a “kickboard” and fell in front of his home, where the police subsequently found him. In contrast, the police clarified that Suga was actually operating an electric scooter with a seat, not a kickboard, which is an important distinction under Korean law.

In South Korea, electric scooters are subject to the same regulations as cars and can only be rented by individuals with a valid driver’s license due to safety concerns.

Controversy Over Suga’s Location at the Time of the Incident

Adding to the confusion, the police revealed that Suga was found near Nine One Hannam, a luxurious condominium complex in Seoul. This contradicted Suga’s claim that he fell in front of his home, leading netizens to speculate that his residence might not be in Hannam River Hill Villa as he implied.

• “He should just apologize simply instead of making all these excuses.”
• “He always wrote bad lyrics, even his apology statement is bad.”
• “Even if we want to cover this, you can’t cover up cowardness…at least there was no big accident…he really has a lot of luck.”
• “Wow.”
• “Although kickboards are dangerous too, taking his scooter when he’s going to drink is different. Wow he really is trying to make this situation smaller than it actually is.”
• “Wow what a turn off.”
• “He has a lot of money..he should have just rode a taxi.”
• “Don’t we all know that you get more hate when trying to avoid something.”

• “To think the person couldn’t tell it was the great BTS. But I only know four member’s faces too.”
• “I didn’t think anything of it before, but looking at it now it’s totally different.”
• “It does look like he’s trying to be slick here. The difference between kickboard and scooter is huge.”
• “Saying it’s a kickboard when it’s a scooter is on the level of lying isn’t it?”
• “What the…Koreans hate people who like.”
• “Even it if was a kickboard it’s considered drunk driving. Kickboard accidents is a huge society issue.”
• “This is so getting ugly.”

Ongoing Investigation and Public Reaction

While the investigation is ongoing, the public has expressed a wide range of reactions to the situation. Many netizens criticized Suga for what they perceive as an attempt to downplay the severity of the incident. Some have also pointed out that even if it had been a kickboard, operating it while intoxicated still constitutes drunk driving, a serious issue in South Korea.

Officials have weighed in on the situation, but the full extent of the legal consequences for Suga remains to be seen.

For more updates on BTS’s Suga, tune in to VVIPTimes.