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On November 30, the 16th Melon Music Awards (MMA) was held in the Inspire Arena in Incheon, honoring K-pop artists. A notable moment in the ceremony included a tribute video commemorating the legacy of BTS, the internationally acclaimed seven-member ensemble. However, fans soon noticed that BTS member Suga was visibly missing from the video.
Fans soon took to social media to express their outrage regarding the 2024 Melon Music Awards' omission from the tribute video celebrating the group's achievements.
Following fans’ criticism, Melon Music Awards released a statement in response to ARMYs discontent on December 2. In their statement, Melon Music Awards stated that it was not their intention to exclude Suga.
"We would like to inform you that all members appear in other scenes used in the MV, and that there was no intention to exclude any specific members,” MMA responded.
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However, this response didn’t seem satisfactory to the Daechwita singer’s fans and they continued with their demand to fix the video and claimed that they should rebroadcast it, besides apologizing to Suga. Echoing this message, one user on X wrote:
“We once again request that the BTS tribute video broadcast at the MMA awards ceremony be rebroadcast with a sincere apology to BTS member SUGA regarding the edited out part of the video and a video that includes SUGA's acceptance speech @melon. Apologize and fix your video”
Many other followers of the idol expressed fury over the issue and asked for an apology from Melon Music Awards.
“A re-edit is so easy, I did it in under an hour. If you really didn’t intend it, then make it right by an apology and rebroadcast,” stated a fan.
“Knowing the background, we are not dumb. We know this is not unintentionally,” commented a supporter.
“Yeah right, didn't intend to exclude Suga my foot. We demand a re-broadcast featuring all members and a sincere apology to Suga. He deserves better,” wrote another follower.
“That is not acceptable. We want detailed explanation as to how this happened. People that work for MELON are supposed to be utmost skilled in their field of editing. ARMY demands a separate specific apology to Min Yoongi, and then apologies to BTS and ARMY worldwide,” expressed another fan.
Several fans refused to believe that the omission of Suga from the tribute video was unintentional.
“We can see through your lies, correct and rebroadcast,” stated a follower.
“They should apologize publicly and address Suga and BTS who are the affected ones. They knew what was going to happen. They need to do their job more professionally when they are doing it. I am tired of always having to correct them. It is a very serious matter,” commented another fan.
“Good. At least, re-edit the broadcast and show the unedited version of the BTS tribute, along with Suga's acceptance speech,” wrote a fan.
BTS’ Suga’s DUI controversy was alleged to be the cause for the idol’s omission from the Melon Music Awards’ tribute video
Melon Music Awards showed a 50-second clip as a tribute to BTS’ legacy. As fans have pointed out, Suga's face appears only once in the video and is not in focus. Therefore, the homage highlighting BTS' almost ten-year journey of accomplishments and milestones, faced significant criticism for omitting Suga.
Many expressed their discontent on social media, alleging that the organizers intentionally excluded the rapper, particularly following his DUI incident earlier in the year.
For those unaware, on August 7, it was reported that Suga was being investigated for riding an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol. Following the news, the K-pop artist has apologized several times to his fans, including in front of the news media.
After two months of severe investigation, the matter was resolved in September, with Suga fined 15 million won ($11,491).
As of this writing, the BTS member is currently serving in the military as a social services agent. He was enlisted in September 2023 and is expected to be released sometime during June 2025.
