Fans demand Suga leave BTS after electric scooter DUI incident

Over a dozen flower wreaths were lined up in front of HYBE headquarters in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Tuesday, demanding that BTS’s member Suga leave the band after being embroiled in a DUI incident a week before.

Flower wreaths displaying messages demanding BTS's Suga to leave the band are positioned in front of HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Tuesday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Over a dozen flower wreaths were lined up in front of HYBE headquarters in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Tuesday, demanding that BTS’s member Suga leave the band after being embroiled in a DUI incident a week before.

The flower wreaths carried messages saying “Withdraw from the band, Min Yoon-gi,” “Congratulations on your downfall,” “How could you let us hear your life updates on the news,” “Aren’t you sorry for your fans,” “You are the one who let go of our hands” and “Min Yoon-gi leave the group before standing in front of the photo line [taking a press photo before entering the police station] because it’s embarrassing.”

Min Yoon-gi is Suga’s real name.

Local media reports say that the flower wreath protest does not represent the opinion of the entire BTS fandom, ARMY, but was carried out by individual fans who insist on Suga’s departure.

Last week, Suga was investigated for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol near his home in Yongsan District, central Seoul.

Wreaths of flowers displaying messages of BTS's Suga to leave the band in front of HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Tuesday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Suga's agency, BigHit Music, was also accused of allegedly trying to minimize the case.

Suga is set to be questioned by the police regarding the amount of alcohol he consumed and the circumstances of the case. Additionally, the police are currently carrying out administrative procedures to revoke the singer’s driver’s license.

The singer is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent, a role that typically involves a regular daily work schedule, allowing him to return home after work hours. The BTS member is scheduled to complete his service in June next year.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]