BTS' SUGA receives death threats: ARMY forms 'Purple Ribbon' line amidst funeral wreaths at HYBE
Min Yoongi became embroiled in a DUI incident (technically an RUI, as he was riding an electric kickboard) two months ago.
Updated : October 21, 2024 04:42 PM ISTMin Yoongi became embroiled in a DUI incident (technically an RUI, as he was riding an electric kickboard) two months ago.
BTS SUGA
What is wrong with South Korea and anti fans? It is well-known that in fan culture if you like a celebrity, you will go to great lengths to protect them. Conversely, if you dislike someone, you may also go to great lengths to express that hate. Currently, in South Korea, it seems that haters are dominating the narrative surrounding major companies like SM Entertainment for example, which recently let go of their idol Seunghan from the group RIIZE amid backlash from a handful of anti-fans.
ALSO READ | K-pop fans' double standards? ARMY reacts to funeral wreaths for BTS SUGA amid sympathy for RIIZE's Seunghan
This situation has undoubtedly emboldened BTS haters, who have sent funeral wreaths to HYBE—the agency representing the group—demanding the release of rapper SUGA. Why, you may ask? It's because Min Yoongi became embroiled in a DUI incident (technically an RUI, as he was riding an electric kickboard) two months ago. He fell off an electric scooter outside the main gate of his apartment complex while making a sharp turn. This incident sparked a significant scandal in South Korea, while the rest of the world questioned why it caused such an uproar in that country.
In fact, the South Korean media had a field day sharing fake CCTV footage, which only gave haters more reasons to express their disdain towards Yoongi. As of this writing this article, the case is closed, with the rapper having paid a fine of 15 million won. However, the anti-fans are not satisfied. Just like with Seunghan, they want to kick SUGA out as well. What has shocked fans is that these haters have even obtained permission from the police to "protect" the funeral wreaths. Taking it a step further, one anti-fan posted a story on their Instagram saying that if she could send wreaths, then she could also kill him.
Look at this. I need somebody to actually kyhhhhh her pic.twitter.com/7eEwMIMCz5
— gomooshin⁷ (@taesoothe) October 20, 2024
Why is it not OKAY but South Korea is allowing it?
In Korea, such wreaths are sent during funeral services. The greater the number of wreaths, the more respect is shown for the individual. However, the messages on these wreaths, when sent to K-pop idols, amount to harassment, with comments like "We would prefer if you were dead" and "You should commit suicide." The global community is wondering why Korean fans are behaving in such a vile manner toward idols. The concept of idols as products is being widely criticized on social media.
ARMY members have discovered that these anti-fans are mainly fans of the girl group NewJeans, who have currently shown hostility toward the company over the past few months due to the HYBE vs Min Hee Jin issue. They are now trying to prove that they can oust a member of the biggest group in the world.
In retaliation, ARMY have gathered in huge numbers from across the globe outside HYBE to form a "purple ribbon" line in front of the wreaths. Many BTS fanbases from different countries have also arranged trucks playing SUGA's songs at high volume, asserting that "BTS is 7." All photos and videos of these demonstrations have been shared by fans on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Such a good turn up of armys for being a Monday but also: Where are all the people who are quick to go to the airport to camp for 15h? pic.twitter.com/F21MzRSYIn
— steph hugged jin 🫂 (@gomdorichick) October 21, 2024
Today, ARMY from Russia and Brasil also sent 2 support trucks for Yoongi and BTS!
— 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 🇮🇩 🥢 (@SUGAIndoFanbase) October 21, 2024
So there are 4 trucks in total around HYBE 💜
pic.twitter.com/WnVAM72sXJ
ARMYs at Hybe, supporting Yoongi and @BTS_twt with our #SUGA Support Truck in the background, is truly precious. 🥹💜
— AGUST D CHARTS (@DataAgustD) October 21, 2024
No hate can ever dim Min Yoongi's shine. 🪷✨️pic.twitter.com/Rw9tJt2ry3
WE LOVE YOU YOONGI#YoongiNeverWalksAlone
WITH YOONGI TILL THE END#BTSisSeven…
The two dogs guarding the wreaths in front of HYBE right now, turned out to be Newjeans stans, and you can tell... you really can#BTSisSeven #ARMYLoves7#7StarsInARMYsGalaxy pic.twitter.com/ag3bJnei4e
— gomooshin⁷ (@taesoothe) October 20, 2024
Our 100 roses with ‘#Bulletproof7: Always with Yoongi’ project banners are at HYBE! 🌹💜
— 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐓 📝 ⁷ (@dSUGA_1993) October 21, 2024
These ARMYs will help us give them away in front of the support trucks.
We hope these roses bring joy to ARMYs and everyone passing by, conveying our heartfelt love for Yoongi and BTS.… pic.twitter.com/APcfNfWfcF
More about the funeral wreaths:
According to HYBE, the wreaths were taken down after 5 PM because the permitted time limit had expired. Under South Korean law, this of protest is classified as a civil public demonstration and does not encroach on private property. Hence, the agency had no legal right to remove the wreaths until the permitted time limit was up.