A public petition has emerged calling for BTS member Suga to be banned from appearing on KBS, despite his recent headlines for donating 5 billion won ($3.6 million) to Yonsei Medical Center.
A post titled “Request to Restrict Suga’s Appearances Due to DUI Fine” was uploaded to KBS’s online viewer petition board on June 23rd.
The petitioner asked KBS to hold a review meeting and take action against Suga for his DUI incident.
Suga was fined 15 million won after he was caught riding an electric scooter while drunk on August 6, 2024, during his social service. His blood alcohol level was high enough (0.08% or more) to get his driver’s license cancelled.
The petitioner stated, “Drunk driving is a serious criminal offense that can cause direct harm to others. As a public figure who has significant influence over youth, allowing someone with a DUI conviction to appear on TV could diminish public awareness about the severity of the crime.”
The petitioner also criticized KBS, saying, “KBS didn’t hold the review committee earlier, saying the investigation was still underway. But since Suga was discharged on June 21st and his fine was confirmed on September 27th, the petitioner says it’s time for the committee to meet and take quick, fair action to keep viewer trust and uphold KBS’s responsibility as a public broadcaster.”
KBS maintains internal regulations that restrict the appearances of individuals involved in illegal or unethical behavior. Actors like Kwak Do Won, the late Kim Sae Ron, and singer Kim Ho Joong were temporarily banned from KBS broadcasts due to drunk driving incidents.
Now that Suga has finished his service and was discharged this June, all BTS members have completed their military duties, raising excitement about the group’s full comeback to the music scene.
>> Suga’s Already Done With Alternative Military Service, BTS Reunites as Seven
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