Suga’s DUI Scandal Could Undermine BTS Reunion: Fans Call on KBS to Ban Him from TV
Despite all seven BTS members completing their mandatory military service and preparing for a grand reunion, Suga’s drunk driving scandal remains a persistent blemish on the group’s otherwise sterling image—raising doubts even among fans about any full-group comeback.
A public petition submitted via KBS’s audience suggestions portal calls for the broadcaster to take decisive action against Suga. The petition demands the formation of a review committee to evaluate whether the rapper should be allowed on air, stating:
“Drunk driving is a serious crime that can directly harm others. Suga influences many young viewers. Permitting him on television could undermine society’s awareness of DUI. KBS must review and decide on punitive measures now, as the investigation results have not been disclosed.”
The petition notes Suga completed military service on June 21, 2025, and was fined on September 27, 2024.
Previously, KBS had banned celebrities like Kwak Do-won, Kim Ho-joong, and the late Kim Sae-ron after their DUI convictions—heightening public interest in how the network will handle Suga’s case.
On August 6, 2024, around 9 PM, Suga drove an electric scooter under the influence in Yongsan’s Hannam district. He fell near his residence, and a breathalyzer test taken on August 9 revealed a blood alcohol content of **0.227%**—nearly 8 times Korea’s legal limit (0.03%). The police considered the electric scooter equivalent to a motor vehicle, and Suga was fined ₩15 million (around US $11,000).
Public disappointment deepened due to controversial comments from Suga and HYBE Labels, which were seen as minimizing the severity of the incident. Fans were divided, with some demanding his removal from BTS. After being discharged on June 21, Suga quietly returned home, offering a written apology to fans but avoiding public events. In a bid to give back, he supported the opening of the Min Yoongi Center at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun, donating ₩5 billion (approx. US $3.7 million). The center focuses on therapies for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Despite the charitable gesture, critics labeled it a “reputation deflection”, arguing that donations alone cannot erase the public’s trust issues. The lingering scandal, they claim, places the entire group’s comeback in jeopardy.
As BTS fans hold out hope for their long-awaited reunion, the unresolved tension surrounding Suga threatens to cast a shadow—not just on his individual reputation, but on the future of the group as a whole. Whether KBS enforces a ban may signal the public’s tolerance for redemption—or a reckoning with past mistakes.