BTS member SUGA has been booked for violating the Road Traffic Act due to a drunk driving incident involving an electric scooter.
On August 7, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul reported that SUGA was found intoxicated and fallen on the ground in the Hannam-dong area. Discovered by a patrolling officer near the Presidential Office, the smell of alcohol led to his transfer to a nearby police station.
Both SUGA and his agency, Big Hit Music, acknowledged the incident, but their responses have sparked controversy. SUGA mentioned that he was unaware it was illegal to ride an electric kickboard while under the influence and emphasized that no harm or damage occurred. Big Hit Music echoed this sentiment, stating that SUGA wore a helmet and suffered no injuries or property damage.
The controversy deepened due to the terminology used by SUGA and Big Hit Music, referring to the vehicle as an “electric kickboard.” Police clarified that the model used had a seat, classifying it as an “electric scooter” under traffic laws, which carries more severe legal implications.
Korean netizens commented:
“Drunk driving is attempted murder.”
“Why lie about something that will be found out?”
“It’s better to be embarrassed lying on the street than almost dying.”
“Ah… Are you crazy? Think about the other members if you went as a social service agent.”
“Are you insane?? Why lie about something that will be quickly discovered? I don’t get it.”
“Hmm… It really looks like a scooter.”
“Why lie about it, it makes it worse lol.”
“What’s up with the crime, arrogance, and lies?”
“This is too dangerous. It’s his own fault, but if it went wrong, there could have been innocent victims.”
“Why does HYBE lie so much..? I can’t trust them.”
“Is it really SUGA? Wow… I’m so disappointed.”
“They talked like it was no big deal, are you kidding me? Even people who didn’t care before will start hating him because of this.”
“Even if it’s about the kickboard, the essence is drunk driving.”
“If he had an accident, he could have died; this is really serious.”
“What were you thinking when you decided to drive drunk?”
“Just drunk driving, no excuse.”
“Did he really think he could hide it in today’s world?”
“That’s not a kickboard, lol, such a lie.”
“He said it was a kickboard, then 500 meters, then just a beer, all lies.”
