BTS Suga's drunken incident sparks global debate about his future

Fans, industry representatives and critics disagree about Suga's future

By KTimes

A heated debate has erupted both in Korea and internationally over whether BTS member Suga should leave the group following his involvement in a drunken incident.

Suga, who was recently arrested for driving an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol, has become the center of a controversy that has divided fans and media alike.

Reactions to Suga's actions varied greatly among national and international audiences.

In Korea, both fans and media expressed their strong disapproval of his behavior and the way he handled the situation after he was caught.

Many believe that his actions have damaged BTS's image, and some fans are calling for him to leave the group.

International media and fans, however, criticize the Korean press for what they see as overly harsh treatment of the idol.

French weekly newspaper Paris Match questioned the relentless criticism Suga faced from Korean journalists despite his admission of irresponsible behavior.

The magazine highlighted how difficult it is to understand the cultural expectations placed on K-pop idols in Korea, noting that if Suga were to leave BTS, it might be challenging for the group's label, HYBE, to explain the situation in the U.S., where such scandals are usually handled differently.

BTS singer Suga bows his head apologetically before his questioning at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on Friday. Korea Times photo by Shin Yong-joo

Fans divided

The fans’ reactions are also very divided.

Jung Min-jae, a popular music critic, told The Korea Times on August 14 that it would be “strictly impossible” for the 31-year-old star and his agency to regain the trust of disappointed Korean fans if he continued his activities as a member.

He also said that public opinion in Korea is likely to remain negative as long as Suga remains active, even if all members complete their military service and the group's activities resume.

After these comments became public, Jung faced strong reactions from BTS fans around the world, known as ARMY. Emails and social media posts poured in demanding an apology for his remarks, and some even called abroad to express their anger.

Worryingly, Jung's wife's social media accounts were also the target of vicious comments, many of which came from BTS fans around the world.

This situation highlights the stark differences in how domestic and international audiences perceive celebrity misconduct—especially K-pop idols.

Lim Hee-yoon, another well-known music critic, said, “There is a perception among American fans that the Korean media is interested in 'cancelling' BTS. This shows how different the atmosphere there is from that in Korea.”

He added: “There is a difference in societal standards regarding drunk driving, and the domestic sentiment is particularly pronounced because BTS has a representative national image in Korea.”

As the attacks against Jung continued, some local fans who supported his statements left comments such as, “As a fellow fan, I apologize on your behalf” and “There are fans who appreciate you expressing the right opinion.”

Fans demanding BTS star Suga (real name Min Yoon-gi)'s departure from the group have laid wreaths in front of HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, to protest. Taken from Instagram

Opinion of industry and experts

Suga was summoned for his first police interview on Friday, 17 days after the accident, and reactions to his future with BTS have been highly polarized. Even among fans who have always shown unwavering support for the group, opinions are now divided.

Some argue that Suga has damaged BTS's image and should leave the group for the sake of the other six members and the fans. On the other hand, many fans believe that Suga's actions do not justify his departure from the group and insist that “BTS must stay together as seven members.”

After news of Suga's accident came to light, wreaths and trucks with messages demanding his departure from BTS appeared outside HYBE's headquarters. In response, some fans reported these truck protests to the police, arguing that they were unauthorized.

In addition, numerous fans began posting photos and videos on social media showing themselves walking around with alcohol bottles in vehicles, calling it the “Suga Challenge.”

Industry experts also comment on the controversy.

An entertainment agency official questioned whether the situation was serious enough to warrant Suga's departure from BTS. “While his actions certainly deserve significant criticism, it is questionable whether they are serious enough to warrant his departure from the group,” the official said. “If he publicly apologizes sincerely and engages in a period of genuine self-reflection, it is unlikely to cause lasting damage to the group.”

Another entertainment agency representative echoed this sentiment, saying, “Drunk driving is indeed a serious mistake, but since no one was injured and no property damage was caused, it seems sufficient that he be punished for his misconduct. I do not believe this is an issue that warrants discussions about his resignation.”

However, there is also an opinion that BTS should not be treated leniently just because they are a well-known K-pop group.

An executive from another entertainment company argued: “If it had been a member of a smaller agency group or a beginner group, he would have been kicked out immediately.”

He added that drunk driving is a serious crime regardless of whether there were any injuries, and that Suga's dishonesty after the incident had significantly damaged BTS' reputation. “Given BTS' immense influence on young people worldwide, Suga's exit may be necessary to preserve the group's image,” he said.

BTS member Suga arrives for police questioning at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on Friday. Yonhap

Future unclear

Music critic Kim Do-heon has expressed the view that Suga's exit from BTS could be in the group's best interests.

He said, “BTS's message and Suga's drunk driving are contradictory. If Suga stays in the group, it goes against everything the group stands for. If he doesn't leave, BTS will have to carry that burden with them, so it would be better for the group if he resigns.”

On the other hand, critic Lim Hee-yoon stressed that Suga and his agency HYBE in particular must issue a public apology that adequately addresses public concerns.

Lim said, “If there had been fatalities, the situation would be completely different, but since that is not the case, I think it is appropriate for Suga to sincerely apologize for the drunk driving incident and subsequent dishonesty before resuming his activities with BTS.”

Suga arrived at the Yongsan Police Station at 7:45 p.m. on Friday. His demeanor was serious and thoughtful. As he faced the assembled press, he bowed his head in a gesture of humility and addressed them with a sincere apology: “First of all, I am deeply sorry. I deeply regret the disappointment I have caused to so many fans and others. I will fully cooperate with the investigation. Once again, I would like to sincerely apologize.”

He then entered the Traffic Investigation Unit building without answering reporters' questions about why he did not immediately go to the police station after his arrest or whether his claim that he had only had one beer was true.

This article from Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by Korea Times staff.