JTBC’s ‘News Room’ addresses alleged false report regarding BTS’ Suga's CCTV footage

On August 14, 2024, OSEN News reported the latest update on BTS Suga's ongoing DUI controversy. Previously, on August 7, JTBC's 'News Room' released a fake CCTV footage of a person speeding on the road, claiming that it was Min Yoongi aka Suga.

After Dong-a Ilbo released the original CCTV footage, which debunked the previous clip, JTBC addressed the false reporting claims. It told OSEN that they were confirming the authenticity of their previous report.

For the unversed, the blurry video that JTBC released showed a person operating a personal mobility device (PMD) on a street in Seoul's Yongsan-gu neighborhood. The clip went viral online as other Korean media outlets reported on the clip, alleging that Suga was speeding. However, the video showed the individual heading in an opposite direction from Namsan.

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More details about BTS Suga's drunk driving an electric scooter

The latest CCTV footage released by Dong-a Ilbo news outlet showed the BTS rapper riding an electric scooter on the biker lane of Hannam Street in Yongsan-gu. He drove for 500 meters before taking a left turn to enter the Nine One Hannam complex—where he lives. However, while taking the turn, the scooter tripped over.

It is important to note that an electric scooter is a personal mobility device (PMD) with a maximum speed between 25 to 40 km/hr. Meanwhile, Suga's electric scooter's top speed was only 30 km/hr and the video evidently showed the idol driving the vehicle slower than the vehicle's maximum speed.

Furthermore, Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that Suga's electric scooter was a foldable model. However, Korean media outlets including Kyunghyang Shinmun, Yonhap, and JTBC classified the vehicle as a "moped," and stated that the BTS idol could be subjected to criminal punishment and up to 5 years of imprisonment.

The BTS ARMY was further enraged when the media started reporting that Suga's blood alcohol level (BAC) was 0.227% on August 9. It is crucial to note that on August 7, when the news broke out, the media reported that Suga's blood alcohol level (BAC) was 0.08%. MBC Entertainment was the first to report the incident on August 7 and mentioned that the idol was riding an "electric kickboard."

Meanwhile, Sports Kyunghyang reported that the video released by JTBC's 'News Room' was made private by the media source. Furthermore, Suga was accused of lying by media outlets alleging that he was tested for alcohol on the street rather than in front of his house. However, this information was later proved untrue.

On August 14, 2024, several reports flooded on X (formerly Twitter) where the ARMY shared screenshots of news articles by Ten Asia reporter Choi Ji-ye, who allegedly "threatened" the BTS idol to make a public appearance. The reporter allegedly demanded the idol to face a "Photo Line."

For the uninitiated, a Photo Line is an unethical and extreme practice in South Korea where the public and reporters collectively interrogate the suspect through a public trial.

The BTS ARMY was enraged by the Ten Asia reporter Choi Ji-ye's article where she allegedly demanded the BTS rapper to appear in front of the police station and address the "press corps" without further "avoidance." The article also stated that the rapper only "bowed his head" for riding an "electric kickboard" and not for riding an "electric scooter."

Fans wondered about the purpose of such reporting and questioned the ethical and logical reasoning behind it. They became furious over the Korean media for allegedly defaming the idol's reputation by falsifying and distorting facts. They trended hashtags and demanded that the Korean media apologize to the idol.

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In other news, BTS' Min Yoongi is currently serving in the South Korean military as a social service worker. The artist became involved in a DUI case when he was on leave from his enlisted duties.