BTS member Suga, also known as Min Yoongi, has sparked fresh controversy after being fined and having his driver’s license revoked for driving an electric vehicle while intoxicated. The incident occurred on the night of July 6, when Suga, who is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent, was riding an electric kickboard scooter after consuming alcohol at dinner. Suga fell while attempting to park the scooter, catching the attention of a nearby police officer. A breathalyzer test revealed he was over the legal limit, leading to his license being revoked and a subsequent fine. He was booked by Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for violating the Road Traffic Act.
Hours after the news broke, both Suga and BTS’s agency, BigHit Music, issued public apologies on the fan platform Weverse. In his statement, Suga expressed regret for his actions, admitting, “I thought complacently that it was a short distance, not realizing I was not allowed to ride the electric scooter while intoxicated, breaking the road traffic act.”
This is not the first time BTS has faced public scrutiny. The globally popular group, which debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment (now BigHit Music), has encountered several controversies over the past decade.
In 2018, BigHit Music had to issue an apology after some BTS members were photographed wearing outfits featuring Nazi symbolism and imagery related to the atomic bombings during World War II. The agency clarified that the imagery was not intended to offend and expressed deep regret for any discomfort caused.
BTS member Jungkook also faced backlash in 2019 when CCTV footage leaked, showing him with a female friend, leading to dating rumors. Although the agency denied the rumors and took legal action against the person who leaked the footage, Jungkook personally apologized to fans.
Additionally, the group has faced criticism for alleged misogynistic lyrics in their songs and, more recently, a controversy involving a vocal sample used in Suga’s 2020 mixtape.
Despite these incidents, BTS remains one of the most influential music groups globally, with a massive fanbase. The group is currently on hiatus as its members fulfill their mandatory military service, with plans to reunite in 2025.
