"SUGA Withdraws Before Standing on Photo Line"…Hybe Building Wreath Protest

"Min Yoon-gi Withdrawal" Message Wreath Appears in Front of HYBE

Wreath protests demanding the departure of BTS member Suga from the group have intensified following his indictment on charges of drunk driving.

On the morning of the 13th, wreaths bearing messages calling for Suga's withdrawal from BTS were placed in front of HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The wreaths urged Suga to leave the team with phrases such as "Min Yoongi, quit," "You are the one who let go of our hands," "Before standing in the photo line," and "Why do you share your recent status through social news?"

Wreaths demanding BTS member SUGA's withdrawal from the group are installed in front of the HYBE building (left), and BTS member SUGA.
[Photo by Online Community, Yonhap News]

Beyond the protests, calls for Suga's departure from BTS have continued on online communities and social networking services (SNS). On X (formerly Twitter), a hashtag campaign urging Suga to voluntarily leave the group has spread, while some have posted a "drunk driving challenge" mocking Suga's drunk driving incident, sparking controversy.

On the 6th, Suga was found by nearby police after falling alone while riding an electric scooter near his home in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu. The Yongsan Police Station subsequently booked and investigated him the next day on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act.

Wreaths demanding SUGA's withdrawal from BTS are installed in front of the HYBE building.
[Photo by Online Community]

Initially, it was reported that Suga was driving an electric kickboard. However, CCTV footage confirmed that it was an electric scooter classified as a motorized bicycle with a seat. This classification means he can be criminally punished under the same standards as drunk driving in a car.

Furthermore, the police's breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227%, far exceeding the license cancellation threshold of 0.08%, confirming he was in a state of severe intoxication. In response, HYBE Music and Suga initially downplayed the incident by calling it an "electric kickboard" instead of an "electric scooter" and stating he had "only one beer." However, the blood alcohol level of 0.227% revealed a state of severe intoxication, causing public opinion to turn cold.

BTS Suga.

Following this, a movement demanding Suga's departure from BTS gained momentum, especially among some ARMY (BTS fandom) members. On the other hand, many ARMY still support and defend Suga, leading to ongoing conflicts between the two sides on SNS.

Suga has been fulfilling his military service obligation as a social service agent since September last year. His discharge date is scheduled for June next year.