BTS member Suga fined $11,500 for drunk driving on electric scooter

SEOUL — K-pop star Suga, a member of boy band supergroup BTS, was fined 15 million won ($11,500) by a court for drunken driving while driving an electric scooter.

A Seoul Western District Court judge imposed the fine in a summary judgment issued last week after his case was referred to the prosecution, a court official said Monday.

In August, the songwriter and rapper apologized for the incident, calling it “reckless and reprehensible behavior,” with police also revoking his license for riding the e-scooter while drunk.

Suga was driving the scooter and tripped while parking at night, according to his label Big Hit Music, part of the K-pop company HYBE. The tag also says he failed a police breathalyzer test.

Since announcing a break from group projects in June 2022, the BTS members have pursued solo activities before beginning their military service.

Suga, 31, engaged in social work in order to fulfill his military commitment.

The drunk driving incident is the latest example of K-pop artists sometimes failing to live up to their impeccable image.

The case prompted some BTS fans upset by his action to send flower wreaths near HYBE headquarters, with messages on the signs asking him to leave the group.

People notified of summary judgments can request a regular trial within seven days to challenge the decision.

Suga’s label did not immediately respond to a request for comment.