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On September 27, 2024, over 400 billboards of BTS' Min Yoongi, aka Suga, were displayed across Seoul, South Korea. The billboards were reportedly arranged by BTS ARMY to show their support for the D-DAY rapper-songwriter, who faced severe backlash for his DUI incident in August 2024.
These billboards endorsing Suga were reportedly placed around I'PARK Mall, COEX Mall, and Yongsan Station in Seoul and across the station square. For the unversed, the BTS rapper was accused of drunk driving an electric scooter on the night of August 6, 2024. Reportedly, his blood alcohol level was around 0.08%, according to MBC Entertainment.
Meanwhile, international BTS fandom appreciated the Echoes Of Purple Project group for arranging this support campaign for the idol, who has been serving his mandatory enlistment period in the military. One fan wrote on X,
Trending
"THANK YOU ALL. i hope he sees these. WE LOVE YOU YOONGI"
BTS ARMY on the platform thanked the fans who organized this campaign to show their support for Suga.
"Thank you to ARMYs who have the capacity to do so, apobangpo!" one fan wrote.
"i sincerely thank everyone who arrange these projects for yoongi," another fan wrote.
"I want him to see these so bad i hope he does. he deserves to know we still adore and love him," another fan added.
Others rallied behind the viral post on X and underscored their love and support for BTS and its members.
"So thankful to global ARMYS for this wonderful #EchoesOfPurpleProject … let’s keep supporting #SUGA & BTS," one fan commented.
"Our love for Yoongi & BTS will stay strong forever," another fan added.
"Imagine trending tags to want him out, then going in 400+ stores to see his face and his team everywhere.." another fan wrote.
More about BTS' Suga's DUI episode and JTBC's false report against him
On August 7, 2024, MBC Entertainment reported that Suga was charged for drunk driving a foldable electric scooter/kickboard on August 6. He tripped in front of his house gate (Nine One Hannam) when a police officer approached him. As per Yongsan police's first report, his BAC level was around 0.08%. Suga apologized via a Weverse letter on the morning of August 7.
The same day, JTBC aired false CCTV footage of an individual speeding on a motorized scooter in the opposite direction of Nine One Hannam. JTBC claimed that it was the BTS idol. This invited public outcry as they lashed out at the BTS rapper for his reckless behavior. Several media outlets like Koreaboo, Chosun, Yonhap, and more reported based on JTBC's report.
On August 15, Dong-A Ilbo revealed that JTBC's CCTV footage was fake. They released the original footage, which showed the BTS idol riding a kickboard below 30km/hr. For the unversed, a bicycle's speed is around 30km/hr.
In the original CCTV footage, he wore a helmet and rode his foldable electric kickboard. While taking a turn in front of his house, he tripped and fell. The idol immediately got up and picked up his helmet before he was approached by three police officers. BTS ARMY demanded that the Korean media apologize to Suga.
On August 16, Maeil Business reported that JTBC apologized for its misreport on national television for causing confusion by releasing unverified footage.
"On the 7th, our newsroom reported on BTS Suga's drunk driving incident. We broadcasted a CCTV of (him) driving on the road with an electric scooter, but after the police investigation, it was confirmed that the man in the video was not Suga. (I/We) apologize for causing confusion."
On August 23, 2024, BTS' Min Yoongi was summoned by the Yongsan Police Department for an interrogation. The D-DAY rapper was questioned for three hours before he was let go. He apologized again in front of reporters gathered outside the police station.
Later, the BTS idol was fined and had all accusations against him dismissed. According to the Yongsan Police Station, he didn't need a license plate for his electric kickboard. The police closed the case and stated that no more investigation was required.
