BTS Global Army Releases Emphatic Support Group Statement After Suga's Scooter DUI Controversy Continues

BTS' global ARMY released a statement over the weekend, in which the K-pop superstar's most ardent fans emphasized that they ride or die, no matter what. “BTS ARMY is a huge fandom based around the world, yet a small number of people have recently released statements through the media advocating views that are contrary to the beliefs of the vast majority of ARMY.”

The statement posted on various social media platforms by the group's biggest fan groups globally came after recent comments and allegations from South Korean media and some fans in the wake of member Suga's drunk driving incident last month. In early August, Seoul police said they spoke to Suga (born Min Yoon-gi) on August 6 after he fell off his electric scooter while riding it near his home.

“Despite ARMY's opposition to this overbearing behavior, they continue to act against the wishes of the fandom while using ARMY's name,” the statement continued. “It was further revealed that fans of other teams organized these actions. Therefore, we would like to clarify our position as a Global ARMY Alliance both domestically and internationally.”

The message then highlighted the three-point support plan proposed by the global ARMY:

While the statement representing 127 ARMY divisions from around the world did not specifically mention the Suga incident, the message posted on Sunday (September 8) ended with the double dip, “as mentioned above, the global ARMY fan bases, both domestic and international , gathered to confirm with one voice that we continue to support all seven members of BTS. Furthermore, we strongly urge the media not to give credence to people with unverified representation.”

After the scooter stop, Suga issued the first of two apologies to fans, writing on Weverse, “I bow my head and apologize to those who were hurt by my carelessness and wrong action.” Furthermore, the 31-year-old rapper assured ARMY that no property or people were affected in the incident which he said happened after he drank at the diner and then got on his electric dashboard, not realizing he couldn't operate a two-wheeler. scooter while drunk during what he described as a short trip home.

“In the process of setting up an electric kickboard at the front door of the house, I fell by myself and there was a police officer around me, so I took a breath test,” he said, noting that he was fined and the license suspended. In a second, handwritten note posted on August 25, Suga again apologized for what he said was “disappointment and hurt by my bad behavior to my fans and everyone who loves me. I made a big mistake, forgetting the responsibility to repay you with deeds worthy of the love I received… Because of this incident, I have greatly damaged the precious memories I made with the members and fans, and put a lot of pressure on the name of BTS. I'm so sorry and hurt that it's hard to express because it hurts the members and the team. I'm sorry that members who have always trusted me are having a hard time because of me. And I know the disappointment the fans must have felt who supported me and supported me.”

Suga's license was suspended after police said he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.227, well above the 0.08 level that triggers a license revocation after riding the sit-down electric scooter while having trouble in the Yongsan district of central Seoul.

According to Varietyin the weeks following the stop, more than 1,400 stories have been posted on Korean media sites about the DUI, with many reportedly containing speculative details and others emphasizing “fake news.” Among the reports were two mainstream media outlets, Yonhap and JTBC, which reportedly showed footage of a man riding a scooter on a street at night that they claimed was Suga, although after police revealed a week later that Suga was driving a path during the incident JTBC reportedly apologized for “causing confusion.”

After some online commenters suggested that Suga must be started from the group in the wake of the DUI, the statement makes it clear that global group ARMY supports all seven members of BTS. the K-pop superstars are currently on a hiatus expected to last until next summer while the members complete their mandatory military service in South Korea.

See the statement below.