SUGA (BTS) requested to be punished for appearing on KBS program

SUGA, a member of the South Korean boy band BTS, is facing sanctions for appearing on a KBS program due to his past drunk driving conviction.

On the 23rd of this month, a petition titled “Request for sanctions against SUGA's TV appearances due to his drunk driving fine” was posted on the KBS viewer request board.

The petitioner urged KBS, as a public broadcaster, to hold a broadcast appearance review committee meeting to discuss SUGA's TV appearances and take fair measures based on the results.

On August 6th, 2024, SUGA, who was serving as a social service worker at the time, was arrested on suspicion of driving an electric scooter while intoxicated. SUGA recorded a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the license revocation threshold (0.08% or higher), and on September 27th of the same year, a fine of 15 million won was finalized through a summary order.

The petitioner pointed out, “Drunk driving is a serious criminal act that can cause serious harm to others. As a celebrity and public figure who has a significant influence on young people, if SUGA appears on the program, it could undermine social vigilance.”

They also stated, “Despite the fact that the fine has already been finalized, KBS did not even conduct a review process, citing the reason that ‘the investigation results have not been released,’” and requested the swift convening of the Program Appearance Regulation Review Committee.

KBS has a policy of imposing appearance sanctions in accordance with its own standards when an individual engages in illegal or immoral behavior that causes social controversy. In the past, actors such as Kwak Do-won, the late Kim Sae-ron, and singer Kim Ho-jun, who were involved in drunk driving controversies, have been subject to temporary bans from appearing on KBS programs.

Meanwhile, with SUGA's discharge from military service on the 21st of this month, all members of BTS have completed their military service, and attention is focused on the possibility of their full-fledged return. The current request for appearance sanctions is expected to have a significant impact on SUGA's future program appearances and image recovery.