When news broke that BTS’s Suga had been involved in a DUI incident, both he and BigHit released statements but the fallout was swift and brutal. Media outlets quickly picked up CCTV footage reportedly showing him riding a scooter dangerously while intoxicated. Accusations of lying and downplaying the incident followed.
One of the most damaging moments came when JTBC aired CCTV footage allegedly showing Suga recklessly riding a scooter fast and dangerously while intoxicated. News articles cited this video repeatedly, using it to label him a liar who minimized the incident.
But days later, it was revealed the man in the video wasn’t Suga at all. The vehicle he was riding was legally a “scooter,” but resembled an electric kickboard even the police had referred to it as such. CCTV footage showed him wearing a helmet, moving slowly at walking speed, trying to follow safety precautions as he understood them. Police officers could also be seen walking slowly behind him. He fell while making a left turn in front of his house. (There was also a claim that it wasn’t in front of his house, but TV Chosun confirmed that it was his front gate.) The supposed 0.227% blood alcohol level reported by the media? Never officially confirmed.
Still, the damage was done. Thousands of critical articles spread rapidly, while very few corrections ever surfaced.
On Pann, netizens debated the truth:
- “Anyway, isn’t it still drunk driving?”
- “The Korean media hates BTS. They only want to use them and are just waiting for a moment to bash them”
- “Inferiority-complex-ridden bugs of South Korea don’t deserve BTS. Just go abroad and promote there instead”
Suga made a mistake, and he’s facing the consequences. But the media’s exaggeration and lack of accountability raises deeper concerns about how easily public figures are torn down not for facts, but for views.
