Big Hit Music Apologizes Again for BTS Suga DUI Incident

Big Hit Music has apologized again following the controversy surrounding the recent DUI incident of BTS Suga. The agency directly addressed public concerns and clarified details about the vehicle involved, responding to criticism over how they initially communicated the situation.

Big Hit clarifies concerns over downplaying BTS Suga DUI incident and provides more details about the vehicle involved

On August 8, KST, Big Hit Music posted an updated statement on Weverse, saying, “We did not intend to scale down the issue at hand, and we later confirmed that the vehicle was not a kickboard.” This response came after fans and the public perceived the initial statement, which described the vehicle as an “electric kickboard,” as an attempt to minimize the severity of the situation.

The agency continued, “We initially described the vehicle as an ‘electric kickboard’ because we believed it was a foldable kickboard with a seat attachment. However, after thoroughly reviewing the facts, we realized that vehicle models vary by performance and specifications, which can affect the severity of the crime.”

The controversy began on August 7, KST, when news of Suga’s DUI charges emerged. Big Hit Music’s initial response faced backlash, as critics accused the agency of downplaying the incident by emphasizing specific details about the vehicle—referring to it as a scooter, emphasizing that Suga was “wearing a helmet,” “only travelled a short distance,” and “fell while parking the scooter.”

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle Suga was riding on the evening of August 6, KST, was an electric scooter capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 km per hour. Under South Korea’s Vehicle Administration Laws, this type of scooter is classified as a motorbicycle. If someone operates this type of vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08% and under 0.2%, they could face fines between 5 million and 10 million KRW or, in severe cases, 1 to 2 years in prison.