KBS, one of South Korea’s leading public broadcasting channels, has commented on the possibility of BTS’s Suga being banned from appearing on the channel following his recent DUI incident.
KBS Undecided on Broadcast Ban for Suga Amid Ongoing Investigation
In an exclusive report by Ilgan Sports on August 16, 2024 (KST), KBS revealed that the network has not yet decided whether to convene a Broadcast Appearance Review Committee meeting to discuss the potential ban of BTS’s Suga, who is currently under investigation for drunk driving.
“We are undecided on holding such a meeting for BTS’s Suga.”
— KBS
KBS further explained that Suga’s current status as a soldier fulfilling his alternative military duty influences their decision. Since Suga is not currently appearing on any KBS programs due to his military service, the network does not consider a ban an immediate concern. Additionally, with the police investigation still ongoing, KBS emphasized the importance of waiting for the results before making any decisions.
“Suga is currently serving his alternative military duty, so he is not appearing on any KBS programs. [A ban on Suga’s appearance] is not an issue that needs to be discussed or addressed immediately. Moreover, since his case is under police investigation, we need to wait for the results.”
— KBS
KBS’s Broadcast Appearance Review Committee and Its Role in Regulating Controversial Figures
KBS has a Broadcast Appearance Review Committee that regulates the appearances of individuals involved in illegal activities or social controversies. This committee can issue various forms of bans depending on the severity of the issue, including:
- “Refrain from appearance invitations”: Discourages producers from casting the individual on shows.
- “Temporary appearance suspension”: Applies in cases of civil or criminal prosecution.
- “Broadcast appearance regulation”: Bans the individual from appearing on the channel’s shows.
Past instances of such regulations include the case of actress Kim Sae Ron, who received a “temporary appearance suspension” after being booked for drunk driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.2% in 2022. This ban has remained in effect for two years.
Potential Implications for BTS’s Future Appearances on KBS
Ilgan Sports suggested that given Suga’s BAC level was reportedly higher than that of Kim Sae Ron, it is likely that KBS will impose some form of ban. If such a ban is enacted, it could complicate BTS’s ability to appear as a complete group on KBS programs. Additionally, there is a possibility that Suga could be blurred out in any previously recorded BTS footage.
For more updates on BTS Suga’s case, tune in to VVIPTimes.
