BTS' Suga apologizes again for the incident with the drunk scooter driver

BTS' Suga issued a handwritten apology to his fans following his recent drunken incident, saying, “I have deeply tainted the precious memories I created with the members and fans and tarnished the name of BTS.”

Suga released the statement on Weverse yesterday, August 25: “I deeply apologize for disappointing and hurting my fans and everyone who loves me with my transgressions,” he wrote (via Google Translate). “I forgot my sense of responsibility to repay the love I received with my actions and made a huge mistake.”

The drunken driving incident occurred earlier this month and resulted in Suga being fined and having his driver's license revoked. At the time, Suga issued a statement saying he had returned home from a night on the town and had fallen while trying to park his electric scooter outside the front gate of his house. Police noticed his fall and, after conducting a breathalyzer test, determined he had been driving the scooter while drunk.

BTS's label Big Hit also pointed out in a separate statement that Suga's walk home was only 500 meters (about a third of a mile) and that he was wearing a helmet at the time.

But in the weeks that followed, as more information came to light, both Big Hit and Suga were criticized for allegedly trying to downplay the seriousness of the incident. For example, it was later revealed that Suga had been riding a sit-on scooter rather than a stand-up scooter. And his breathalyzer test reportedly showed a blood alcohol level of 0.227, which was high enough to have his license revoked.

In his new apology, Suga seemed to acknowledge this, saying, “On the evening of August 6, I made the mistake of riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk after drinking. I also apologize for the confusion caused by my first apology, which I hastily uploaded on the 7th. I should have thought more thoroughly and been more careful, but I messed that up.”

Suga took full responsibility for the incident and apologized to his BTS bandmates and team, as well as to the fans “who have always shown me so much love despite my shortcomings.” He continued, “I know it is difficult to heal the wounds and disappointments of the fans with words, so I deeply regret it and think about it every day with a heavy heart… I will gladly accept any punishment that is given in the future, as well as criticism and reprimands.”

The new statement comes after Suga reportedly “admitted to the charge” of driving his scooter while drunk during a three-hour interrogation by South Korean police last week (via Korea JoongAng DailyThe musician is completing his military service as a social worker, which is expected to end next June.