BTS Star Suga Faces Jail Time or Fine Over E-Scooter Drink-Driving Incident

K-pop superstar Suga, a member of the global phenomenon BTS, is facing potential legal repercussions after a breathalyser test revealed he was driving an e-scooter while over the blood-alcohol limit in Seoul last week.

The incident occurred on 6 August in the Yongsan district of the city. According to South Korean media reports, Suga was found lying on the ground after an apparent accident. A subsequent breathalyser test revealed his blood-alcohol concentration was 0.227%, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 0.08% for driving, according to Yonhap news agency, citing police sources.

Under South Korean traffic laws, drink-driving offences with a blood-alcohol level of 0.2% or higher carry a hefty fine of between 10 million won (£5,710) and 20 million won, or a prison sentence ranging from two to five years. Notably, the same penalties apply to drink-driving offences committed while operating an e-scooter.

Following the incident, BigHit Entertainment, BTS’s management agency, initially claimed Suga was using an electric kickboard at the time of the accident. In a subsequent apology posted on X, the 31-year-old singer acknowledged being fined and having his driving licence revoked. However, it later emerged that he was actually riding an e-scooter equipped with a saddle, capable of reaching speeds up to 30kmh, not a less powerful electric kickboard as initially stated, according to the Korea Times.

Suga, who is currently performing civilian national service instead of joining the military, reportedly told police he had consumed only one glass of beer before the accident. However, the Korea Times described a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.227% as “impossibly high” after just one glass of beer, raising questions about the accuracy of his statement.

The incident has attracted criticism, with some BTS fans facing backlash for posting photographs of alcohol bottles inside their vehicles on social media in a show of support for Suga. Police are currently investigating the matter, while the singer faces potential consequences for his actions.

BTS are expected to reunite next year once all seven members have completed their mandatory national service. While the incident is unlikely to lead to Suga's departure from the group, culture critic Jung Min-jae believes the band will face a challenge in rebuilding public trust.

“We will still have to wait for the results with the police investigation,” Jung told the Korea Times.