SUGA challenge: BTS ARMY fights off BLACKPINK, NewJeans, aespa fans and fake Korean news

SUGA from BTS was recently involved in a drink-driving incident, and as the case progresses, the fans ARMY has sparked concern with a troubling trend on social media, particularly the #SugaChallenge. Initially, it was believed that ARMY itself was behind the challenge with many Korean outlets reporting. However, upon examining the profiles involved, it became clear that fans of BLACKPINK, NewJeans, aespa, and other groups were responsible.

What is #SugaChallenge?

On Tuesday, August 6 (KST), SUGA, aka Min Yoongi, was booked for driving under the influence (DUI) after being caught operating an electric scooter while intoxicated. The situation worsened when reports suggested that the scooter might not qualify as a personal mobility device, further complicating the case. SUGA is now set to undergo a criminal investigation.

In South Korea, electric kickboards can only be rented with a valid license, and riders must adhere to many of the same traffic laws as other motor vehicles. According to a report by SE Daily, the fatality rate for e-scooter traffic accidents is 5.6%, 4.3 times higher than the overall traffic accident fatality rate.

As the internet remains divided over the case, ARMY questions why the issue is being amplified, given that SUGA has not harmed anyone and has already apologized, stating his intention to cooperate with the law.

ALSO READ | BTS IS SEVEN! I-ARMY, netizens puzzled over Koreans asking SUGA to leave the group 

However, using his DUI to tarnish the reputation of ARMY and BTS, fans of other groups initiated the troubling #SugaChallenge trend on X (formerly known as Twitter). This challenge involved fans from BLACKPINK, NewJeans, aespa, IVE, BigBang, EXO, SEVENTEEN, and others taking pictures from Pinterest and posting on X. These images included people behind the wheel with a bottle of alcohol in their hand - indicating drunk driving. Some even went to the extent of creating fake BTS fan profiles on X, just to shade on the member.

While numerous Korean media outlets reported on the trend, they notably cropped out the sources, which would have shown that it was not ARMY but fans of various other groups who started it. In response, ARMY created their counter-trends, including #FAKECHALLENGE, #KoreanMediaBeProfessional, and #Its_Not_ARMY. Many also have audio evidence indicating that BLACKPINK fans were primarily responsible for trending the hashtag on X.

ARMY has been working to combat the negative press against SUGA, who has acknowledged his mistake, and also against the Korean media, which has historically been less favorable to the world's biggest boy band.

Where is SUGA?

Also known as AGUST D, the rapper is currently serving his time in the South Korean military. He and the other BTS members are set to return as a group in 2025 with a comeback. Despite the backlash and calls for him to leave BTS, ARMY, especially international fans, has stood firm saying "BTS IS SEVEN".

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