Let’s talk about one of the most bizarre “scandals” of 2024, the scooter incident. BTS’s Suga (aka Yoongi, aka Agust D, aka our genius producer) somehow found himself at the center of intense scrutiny for falling off a scooter outside his house. Now, if that sounds dramatic, wait until you hear how the Korean media and K-pop community reacted.

BTS Suga Butter Showcase
CONTENT
- The Incident and Immediate Fallout
- The Korean Media’s Lies and ARMY’s Role in Exposing Them
- The Psychology Behind the Harsh Treatment
- The Mental Toll on Idols and Celebrities in Korea
- HYBE’s Role: Could They Have Done More?
- The Bigger Picture: Why BTS Faces Unforgiving Treatment
The Incident and Immediate Fallout
Here’s a quick recap: Yoongi, after having some drinks (responsibly, might I add), rode his scooter home. Just as he pulls up outside his house, he lost his balance and fell. It was a harmless spill, no injuries, no property damage, just Yoongi being human.
But, as luck would have it, a police officer happened to see him fall and decided to perform a breathalyzer test. While Yoongi’s results showed alcohol consumption, he wasn’t over the legal limit for intoxication. The story could’ve ended there, but of course, the media had other plans. Cue the media frenzy.

Media reports on the Scooter Incident
Headlines like “BTS’s Suga in Alcohol-Related Scooter Incident” popped up everywhere. Social media exploded with debates about responsibility, idol behavior, and whether Yoongi should’ve ridden his scooter after drinking, even though he hadn’t broken any laws.
The Korean Media’s Lies and ARMY’s Role in Exposing Them
Now, this is where things get messy. Some Korean media outlets & blogs, particularly JTBC, took things to another level by fabricating details about the incident. They aired a false CCTV clip claiming to show Yoongi riding his scooter on a main road before having an accident. This created an image of recklessness and irresponsibility that had fans and critics alike in more frenzy.
But ARMYs were quick to notice inconsistencies. They worked overtime, analyzing the footage, cross-referencing timelines, and ultimately proving that the CCTV was fake. The real CCTV footage was later released and revealed that Yoongi fell right outside his house, not on a busy road. JTBC was forced to issue a public apology for spreading false information, but let’s be honest, there were no real consequences for their actions.

Korean Communications Standard Commissions to sanction JTBC on Suga's false report
What’s worse is how easily these lies could’ve been dispelled if institutions like the police had stepped up. Instead, they remained silent, allowing the media to run wild with their narrative. This raises questions about the police’s role in idol harassment. Are they complicit? Do they feed information, true or false, to the media for monetary gain? Sadly, it wouldn’t be the first time such accusations have surfaced.
Then you have international blogs like Allkpop and Koreaboo, who further amplified the issue with a flood of disparaging articles. These platforms, known for their wide reach among international fans, seemed almost determined to ruin Yoongi’s reputation. Koreaboo, in particular, posted close to 20 tweets a day about the incident, each more manipulative than the last. It felt like a targeted harassment campaign, as if someone in the higher-ups was paying big bucks to smear BTS’s name. The scooter incident became an easy way for them to twist the narrative, and their coverage quickly spiraled into sensationalism. The lies spread by these blogs weren’t just damaging—they gave anti-fans the fuel they needed to harass Yoongi and spread misinformation.

Koreaboo Twitter Post on BTS Suga's Scooter Incident
Adding fuel to the fire, antis began organizing in group chats to create what they called the “Suga Challenge.” This disgusting “challenge” was essentially a coordinated effort to mock and spread more hate about Yoongi on social media. And if that wasn’t bad enough, blogs like Koreaboo and Allkpop, knowing full well these rumors were false, pushed out articles accusing ARMYs of downplaying the seriousness of drinking and driving. Social media became a battleground, with ARMYs fighting to correct the narrative while antis and sensationalist blogs tried to stir up even more chaos. It was absolute hell online.

Antis pretending to be ARMYS and creating a Twitter Suga_Challenge
The Funeral Wreath Incident and ARMY’s Purple Ribbon Response
The situation took an even darker turn when anti-fans posing as “disappointed ARMYs” staged a protest outside HYBE’s headquarters. These antis sent buses and funeral wreaths, a symbol traditionally associated with mourning, to HYBE, calling for Yoongi’s removal from BTS. The media, unsurprisingly, jumped on this story, initially reporting it as “fans protesting against BTS’s Suga.”

Protest Trucks demanding Suga's departure from the group
But ARMYs weren’t about to let lies define the narrative. To counter the hateful display, ARMYs organized a widespread Purple Ribbon Event, a powerful symbol of support that has only been used during BTS’s most trying times. Food trucks adorned with BTS and ARMY logos, along with the iconic purple ribbon, were sent to remind Yoongi that his real fans stood by him.

2024 Purple ribbon project organised by BTS ARMYS
The message was clear: Yoongi was not alone, and ARMYs would not allow the media or antis to isolate him. Fanbases also physically showed up outside HYBE to block the antis and drown out their hateful voices with love and support. For the duration of the protest, ARMYs’ presence made it clear that the loudest voices weren’t those of the antis, but of loyal fans rallying behind their artist.

International BTS ARMYs demonstrating support for Suga in front of HYBE headquarters
The Purple Ribbon Event was a resounding success, and though it brought comfort to Yoongi and BTS, the biased media chose to ignore it. The same outlets that eagerly reported on “fans’ disappointment” conveniently stayed silent about ARMYs’ efforts to dispel those lies. The lack of coverage was shocking but not surprising, given the media’s tendency to prioritize sensationalism over truth.
The Psychology Behind the Harsh Treatment
Why did this relatively minor incident blow up so much? It boils down to a mix of BTS’s global fame, the perfection standards of the K-pop industry, and the way the media loves a juicy scandal.
1. BTS’s Unique Position:
BTS isn’t just another K-pop group, they’re the group. When you’re at the top, every move you make is magnified a hundredfold. For someone like Yoongi, who’s known for his calm, introspective persona, this incident became even more shocking to those who idolize him.
2. Idol Perfection Standards:
K-pop idols are expected to be flawless, always in control, and role models for their fans. Yoongi’s slip-up, despite being human, was seen as a betrayal of these unrealistic expectations. Never mind the fact that no one was hurt, and there was no malicious intent.
3. Media Sensationalism:
The Korean media has a habit of blowing things out of proportion when it comes to BTS. Their global influence makes them a prime target for clicks, and this incident was no exception. Even after the truth came out, many outlets didn’t bother updating their stories.
The Mental Toll on Idols and Celebrities in Korea
This kind of relentless media harassment isn’t just frustrating—it’s dangerous. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates among celebrities, often tied to the intense pressure and harassment they face.
Suga's official statement on the scooter incident
Imagine waking up to find over 5,000 articles written about a minor incident in just one month. That’s the level of scrutiny Yoongi faced. The mental toll of this kind of treatment is unimaginable. If it weren’t for ARMYs working tirelessly to expose lies and correct misinformation, the outcome could’ve been much worse.
This incident is a stark reminder of the toxic environment many idols and celebrities endure. Establishments like JTBC and even the police have a responsibility to protect, not harm, but time and again, they fail to do so.
What Type of K-pop Fan Are You? Find out where you fit in your fandom
HYBE’s Role: Could They Have Done More?
While ARMYs were busy cleaning up the mess, HYBE (BTS’s agency) seemed to struggle with managing the situation. Their response was slow, and they failed to counteract the flood of misinformation effectively.

BigHits statement on the Suga's scooter incident
For a company as influential as HYBE, their crisis management left a lot to be desired. They could’ve issued stronger statements, provided evidence sooner, or taken legal action against the outlets spreading lies. Instead, their passive approach allowed the narrative to spiral out of control, leaving Yoongi vulnerable to criticism.
The Bigger Picture: Why BTS Faces Unforgiving Treatment
BTS has always been in a league of their own, and that comes with both admiration and resentment. They’ve broken records, challenged norms, and become global icons, but their success has also made them a target for criticism.

Twitter trends in support of BTS Suga
The K-pop industry and its fans often hold BTS to a higher standard than other groups, as if their achievements mean they’re not allowed to make mistakes. Yoongi’s incident was a prime example of this double standard: what would’ve been a non-issue for someone else became a full-blown scandal for him.