BTS’ Suga issued a hand-written apology to fans following his recent DUI incident, saying, “I have greatly tarnished the precious memories I have made with the members and fans and have tarnished the name of BTS.”
Suga posted the statement on Weverse yesterday, August 25: “I deeply apologize for disappointing and hurting my fans and everyone who loves me with my wrongdoings,” he wrote (via Google Translate). “I forgot my sense of responsibility to repay the love I have received with my actions and made a big mistake.”
The DUI incident occurred earlier this month, and as a result, Suga was fined and had his license suspended. At the time, Suga issued a statement saying he arrived home from a night out and fell over while trying to park his electric kickboard scooter outside the front gate of his home. Police spotted his fall and, after giving him a breathalyzer test, determined that he had been riding the scooter while intoxicated.
BTS’ label, Big Hit, also noted in a separate statement that Suga’s route home was just 500 meters (about one-third of a mile) and he was wearing a helmet at the time.
But, in the weeks since, as more information has come out, both Big Hit and Suga have faced criticism for allegedly trying to downplay the severity of the incident. For instance, it later came out that Suga wasn’t riding a stand-up scooter but a seated scooter. And he reportedly blew a 0.227 on his breathalyzer test, which was high enough to have his license revoked.
In his new apology, Suga seemed to acknowledge this, saying, “On the night of Aug. 6, I made the mistake of riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk after drinking. I also apologize for the confusion caused by my first apology that I hastily uploaded on the 7th. I should have thought more deeply and been more careful, but I failed.”
Suga went on to accept full responsibility for the incident and extended his apology to his BTS bandmates and team, as well as fans “who have always given me so much love despite my shortcoming.” He continued: “I know that it is difficult to heal the wounds and disappointments the fans have received with any words, so I regret it deeply and reflect on it with a heavy heart every day… I will gladly accept any punishment that is given in the future, as well as criticism and reprimands.”
The new statement comes after Suga reportedly “admitted to charges” of driving his scooter while drunk during a three-hour interrogation with police in South Korea last week (via Korea JoongAng Daily). The musician has been fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent, which is expected to wrap next June.