K-pop fans' double standards? ARMY reacts to funeral wreaths for BTS SUGA amid sympathy for RIIZE's Seunghan
Fans of BTS called ARMY are furious, as K-pop fans who felt sympathy for Seunghan of RIIZE, who was forced to leave his group, suddenly seem okay with SUGA experiencing similar harassment.
RIIZE's Seunghan and BTS SUGA
It did not take long for K-pop fans who were shouting, "Idol's mental health matters," to turn their backs on the member of the biggest group in the world! BTS rapper SUGA, who has been facing nonstop harassment from both the South Korean media and K-pop fans, was fined for riding—rather than driving—an electric kickboard while under the influence of alcohol.
While it's not a DUI, as many have stated, but rather an RUI, K-pop fans have still not left him alone, despite him apologising not once, but twice. Adding to the situation, antis—people who dislike a K-pop artist or group so much that they dedicate time to following their content and activities—have decided to send "SUGA withdrawal wreaths" to HYBE in an attempt to force him to leave BTS.
According to a protest plan released by the account "Suga's Withdrawal Flower Basket Total Attack," demonstrations are set to take place in front of HYBE from October 20 to 22. The protest slogans include messages like "Suga OUT, the drunk driving criminal," "Drunk driving is attempted murder; Suga, don't be a nuisance and just leave," and "I won't buy BTS with Suga in it; the drunk driving criminal must withdraw."
Fans of BTS called ARMY are furious, as K-pop fans who felt sympathy for Seunghan of RIIZE, who was forced to leave his group, suddenly seem okay with SUGA experiencing similar harassment. ARMY took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to ask K-pop fans how they can sympathize with anyone but a BTS member.
Regarding SUGA's case:
On September 10, the Korean media outlet Yonhap News reported that BTS' SUGA had been indicted at the Seoul Western District Prosecutor's Office, Criminal Division 2 (led by Chief Prosecutor Chu Hye Yoon). He was fined $11,491 under the Road Traffic Act for riding an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol.
Interestingly, his blood alcohol content was not revealed, nor was there any news of his license being revoked. This was after days of news outlets reporting his alcohol level to be 0.227%—at least eight times higher than the legal limit in South Korea—there is now no discussion about his alcohol intake.