'BTS is 7!': ARMY furious after SUGA left out of 'K-pop Global Idol Group' ad amid DUI drama
SUGA's absence, especially since he should have been featured before J-Hope according to the group's chant order, sparked outrage among ARMY.
Updated : September 10, 2024 11:30 AM ISTSUGA's absence, especially since he should have been featured before J-Hope according to the group's chant order, sparked outrage among ARMY.
BTS is 7
On August 28, U-Pick, a global fandom platform, named BTS the winner of the 'Best K-pop Global Idol Group' survey, resulting in a Seoul subway ad. The voting process sparked intense competition among K-pop fans, with BTS eventually winning the advertisement position at Yeouido station from September 20 to October 4.
However, the celebration was marred by controversy. On September 9, U-Pick released the final draft of the ad, which featured BTS but excluded member Suga, who is currently involved in a DUI incident. The ad showcased each member with accolades—RM as the 'BTS Leader' and 'Best Rapper,' Jin as 'World Wide Handsome,' J-Hope as the 'Genius Dancer,' Jimin as the 'Best Dancer,' V as 'Best Visual Idol,' and Jungkook as the 'Golden Visual Idol.'
SUGA's absence, especially since he should have been featured before J-Hope according to the group's chant order, sparked outrage among ARMY.
❤ <K-POP Global IDOL Group> 투표 최종 광고 시안 공개
— UPICK 유픽 (@UPICK_twt) September 9, 2024
The final draft for Position <K-POP Global IDOL Group> vote
🏆 #방탄소년단 #BTS 🏆
Location📍여의도역 CM보드 (Yeouido station CM Board)
Period🗓 9/20 ~ 10/4 KST
The video currently presenting is the final video with some… https://t.co/5z6hImAq3W pic.twitter.com/Ejj2TnR2iB
BTS ARMYs responded strongly, flooding social media with the hashtag "BTS is 7" and demanding that U-Pick put all seven members in the ad or delete it. Some fans even threatened legal action against U-Pick.
BTS will always be 7.#TheStatement7 #GlobalARMYUnion_BTSis7 pic.twitter.com/UNUx5KGIxF
— BTS Updates, News & Charts ⁷ (@_BTSMoments_) September 9, 2024
“According to guidelines” my foot
— Liv has 3 ults now ⁷ 🤍 (@Livheartt) September 9, 2024
BTS is 7. How hard is that to comprehend?? pic.twitter.com/zqC6HqIC1n
BTS is 7. Stop leaving/cutting members out. BTS IS 7. pic.twitter.com/QanFrw3mHM
— coco༊*·˚ (@luvjinie) August 16, 2020
BTS is only complete when they are 7 💜
— ellesieee⁷ •ᴗ• (@ellesieeee) September 8, 2024
BTS is 7
BTS is Seven pic.twitter.com/MKSJivUEmR
The site addressed the outrage without publicly identifying SUGA or BTS, but the matter remains heated.
Hello, this is UPICK.
— UPICK 유픽 (@UPICK_twt) September 9, 2024
Recently, we received a new guide from the advertising media organization.
In accordance with the guidelines, we have been informed that exposure of certain members in videos that fans have so lovingly created is not possible.
We have continued to convey…
The situation was also consistent with a broader statement from the Global ARMY Alliance, which although not directly addressing the SUGA incident, expressed solidarity for all BTS members. Despite persistent controversy, this united response demonstrated ARMY's loyalty to defending their idols.
GLOBAL ARMY UNION STATEMENT
— Yoonmimie (@Y00nmimie) September 9, 2024
Our fanbase had the chance to join in this statement supporting @BTS_twt
A statement of support for 7 members of BTS from different fanbases in 58 countries got an article posted by media.#TheStatement7#GlobalARMYUnion_BTSis7#BTSis7 pic.twitter.com/qGnyAc2C8q
GLOBAL ARMY UNION STATEMENT
— ARMY Cavite Fanbase⁷ 💜🇵🇭 (@army_cavite) September 9, 2024
Our fanbase had the chance to join in this statement supporting @BTS_twt
A statement of support for 7 members of BTS from different fanbases in 58 countries got an article posted by media.#TheStatement7#GlobalARMYUnion_BTSis7#BTSis7 https://t.co/AhYetxec7u pic.twitter.com/2QqyrSU9Xt
The Global ARMY Alliance is the only allowed. pic.twitter.com/kp3A13sFZR
— Nu(🕊️𐤀㋡GMusicLOVERly)☂️🐯🐰💜 #TaekookR ☆NoHate☆ (@Nefer7yri) September 9, 2024
About SUGA's case:
Rapper SUGA, also known as Min Yoongi and AGUST D, was involved in a drunken incident in which he rode an electric scooter or kickboard. Despite CCTV footage indicating that he did not cause any harm, wore a helmet, followed the prescribed lane for kickboards and pedestrians, and only fell when making a tight bend, the media was unrelenting in its investigation.
After over 100 pieces per agency and heavy TV attention, with some even disseminating bogus CCTV evidence, the weeks of harassment still do not appear to be coming to an end.