Suga of BTS. Image: Instagram/@agustd
BTS’ Suga apologized to fans on Wednesday, August 7, after he was reportedly investigated by authorities for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol.
In a statement on Weverse, Suga said sorry for the “disappointing event” where he violated traffic laws while riding an electric scooter, which took place after “drinking at dinner.”
“Hello, this is Suga,” Suga said in Korean on the fan community platform. “I come to you with a heavy and sorry heart due to a disappointing event.”
“Last night after drinking at dinner, I went home by riding an electric scooter. I violated the road traffic laws due to me thinking that it’s a close distance and not recognizing that it is not allowed to ride an electric scooter after drinking,” he continued.
BTS’ Suga statement. Image: Screengrab from Weverse
The “Daechwita” singer shared that he “fell” by [himself] while parking his scooter, which led to his license being revoked by a police officer.
“While parking my electric scooter at the front gate in front of my place, I fell by myself, and there was a police officer nearby and as a result of drinking, my license has been revoked and I’ve been fined,” he said.
Even though no one was hurt in the incident, Suga pointed out that his recent action was an “inexcusable responsibility” while apologizing to those who were also affected by the incident.
“There wasn’t anyone who got hurt or facilities that have been damaged but, this is an inexcusable responsibility of mine so I bow my head and apologize to everyone,” he said. “I apologize to those who have gotten hurt because of my carelessness and wrong action and from now on and forward, I will be more and more careful with my actions so nothing like this will happen.”
Meanwhile, Suga’s agency BigHit Music apologized for the incident in a separate statement via Korean media, saying it took place on Tuesday night, August 6.
“Suga used an electric scooter while wearing a helmet while returning home after drinking alcohol. After traveling about 500 meters, he fell while parking and was given a ticket and license revocation as a result of a sobriety test by police officers who were nearby,” it said.
The agency said the BTS member “will receive appropriate disciplinary action,” while assuring fans that it would be “more careful” in the future.
“The incident did not result in any personal injury or property damage, and he returned home under police escort. We apologize for the disappointment this artist’s inappropriate behavior caused many of you. As a social service worker, he will receive appropriate disciplinary action from his employer for his behavior,” BigHit added.
Suga’s statement comes after reports from the Yongsan Police Station where a young man was discovered after falling off an electric scooter somewhere along Hannam-dong, Yongsan District in central Seoul.
The young man was then identified to be Suga where “the smell of alcohol was detected” while being helped by authorities. Per reports, driving under the influence of alcohol is a violation of South Korea’s Road Traffic Act.
Suga has been fulfilling his mandatory military service since September 2023. He is set to be discharged in June 2025.