Outrage over ARMY’s hypocrisy and misogyny towards other fandom because of Suga’s DUI issue

The recent DUI case involving BTS’s Suga has ignited a complex and multifaceted controversy, capturing the attention of fans, netizens, and even other K-pop groups.

The controversy began on August 6, 2024, when Suga was discovered operating an electric scooter while intoxicated. Initially, reports identified the vehicle as an electric kickboard, but it was later clarified that Suga was actually using a “motorized bicycle” with a seat. This clarification is crucial because South Korean DUI laws differentiate between personal mobility devices and motorized bicycles, with the latter facing stricter penalties akin to those for automobiles.

On August 7, 2024, Yonhap News reported that Suga was found alone on the streets after falling from his scooter. Police officers who were patrolling the area detected the smell of alcohol and subsequently took him to the nearest police station. By August 9, Dispatch revealed that Suga’s BAC was an alarming 0.227%, far above Korea’s legal limit of 0.03%. The classification of the vehicle as a motorized bicycle means Suga will face a criminal investigation similar to a car DUI, with potential severe penalties including license revocation and criminal charges.

In the wake of the DUI news, BTS’s fandom, ARMY, exhibited a highly defensive stance. On August 8, 2024, ARMY members took to X (formerly Twitter) to shift the blame onto other fandoms, accusing them of trying to damage Suga’s reputation. This defensive attitude included the trending of the hashtag #Sugachallenge, where fans posted photos of alcoholic drinks in car seats, ostensibly to show support for Suga despite the gravity of the DUI charge. This response drew widespread criticism, with many condemning it as insensitive and inappropriate.

The response from Korean netizens (Knetz) was swift and critical. Many Knetz expressed their outrage over ARMY’s attempts to deflect blame and their controversial behavior. Critics pointed out that ARMY’s reaction was hypocritical, given their usual demands for accountability from other fandoms. The trend of #Sugachallenge and similar actions were seen as a blatant disregard for the seriousness of DUI, which is considered a severe offense in South Korea.

In an unexpected twist, ARMY accused Blackpink’s fandom (Blinks) of being behind negative trends related to Suga’s DUI case. Despite the lack of evidence linking Blinks to these actions, ARMY’s accusations led to the creation of hashtags such as #Jenniechallenge and #Roséchallenge. These hashtags included inappropriate content, including unfounded claims against Jennie and Rosé. This development further fueled the controversy, with critics condemning ARMY’s actions as misogynistic and harassing.

The backlash against ARMY’s behavior grew as more details emerged. Many observers and Knetz criticized ARMY for their hypocrisy, highlighting the stark contrast between their usual demands for apologies from other fandoms and their reluctance to address Suga’s wrongdoing. On August 10, 2024, a tweet from a BTS fan account exacerbated the situation by listing other major fandoms, from Bigbang to the rookie group Babymonster, as potential scapegoats for any future controversies involving BTS. This tweet underscored a troubling pattern of blame-shifting and deflection within the fandom.

The Suga DUI case has not only highlighted serious legal and moral issues but also exposed deeper issues within the K-pop fandom ecosystem. The varied responses from ARMY, the involvement of other idols like Jennie and Rosé, and the broader reactions from Knetz reveal significant challenges in fan behavior and public accountability.