”BTS” gives heart to SUGA... ”Pachinko” to PSY, writer Lee Min-jin also supports

Singer PSY and novelist Lee Min-jin have attracted attention by supporting SUGA, a member of the group BTS, who was charged with drunk driving on an electric scooter.

PSY reportedly selected the song ‘That That’ on the closing stage of the Suwon (Suwon) performance of the ‘PSY Soaking Show SUMMERSWAG 2024’ on the 25th, and in the process greeted SUGA, saying that he was grateful to her for making the song together.

The song, released in 2022, was co-produced by SUGA and PSY; SUGA participated in the featuring and appeared in the music video, which attracted a lot of attention. However, even with the recent uproar in the entertainment industry over SUGA's drunk driving problem, PSY has not hesitated to speak publicly and has attracted a lot of attention.

Apart from this, Korean-American writer Lee Min-jin also showed indirect support for SUGA. The writer posted a purple heart with a photo of SUGA on his SNS on the 24th, which is one of the symbols representing ‘BTS’ and fandom ARMY. A large number of fans continued to support the writer Lee Min-jin by leaving the same emoji on his post.

The writer is the author of the original novel of the Apple TV+ original series ‘Pachinko’, published in 2017, which is an international bestseller about a four-generation zainichi Korean family, and his work has been dramatised to attract even more attention.

The fact that they supported SUGA became known and caused controversy in some quarters, with the argument that such public mention and support could be rather antagonistic amidst the ongoing heated debate over SUGA's alleged drunken driving. On the other hand, there are those who favour the strict standards for SUGA.

SUGA, who is on alternative service as a social service member, was found by police in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the night of the 6th, after collapsing on an electric scooter while intoxicated. He was reportedly drunk with a blood alcohol level of 0.227%. The situation was then further escalated by allegations that SUGA had tried to downplay the incident with regard to the expression ‘electric kickboard’ in the apology letter it released.

SUGA turned himself in to the police on 23rd, 17 days after the accident, for investigation, and on the 25th, he released a second handwritten apology, in which he wrote "This has caused a huge damage to the precious memories I created with the members and fans, and has tarnished the name “BTS”. I am so sorry and bitter that it is hard to express how much damage I have caused to the members and the team" and bowed his head, saying, "I will take the criticism and reprimand as well as the punishment that will be given to me in the future."