"So done with the disrespect": Fans angered as UPICK allegedly excludes BTS’ Suga from their ‘Global IDOL Group’ winners' ad amid his ongoing DUI case

On Monday, September 9, UPICK released an advertisement that allegedly excluded BTS' SUGA. The group recently won the Global IDOL Group for the voting UPICK conducted on their mobile application. However, the advertisement they released to announce BTS as the winner of the vote sparked controversy among netizens for their exclusion of SUGA from the montage.

This is also the montage that will be screened at the Yeouido Subway Station's CM Board as a congratulatory token for the group. Regardless, fans noticed that all the members, except the rapper, were present in the advertisement and since this landed during SUGA's ongoing DUI case, ARMYs were angered by the disrespect that was allegedly directed towards the idol.

Many began to kickstart trends on X such as BTS IS 7, UPICK ADD SUGA, etc., to showcase their demands to the global fandom platform application company, UPICK. Through the trends, fans also expressed their anger at the alleged disrespect the idol's been facing in light of the DUI case and also pointed out that it was unfair.

One X user commented:

"im so done with the disrespect to any member. bts is 7 and will always be seven."

Here are a few reactions to UPICK's alleged exclusion of the BTS rapper from their recent advertisement:

"Such a showing of disrepect to BTS is a not acceptable. BTS is Seven and if you don't include all then you can keep this unfinished work in your drafts" said a fan on X

"BTS is 7. Excluding any member of BTS will not be tolerated. BTS as a group won this award, and all SEVEN members of that group must be featured." stated another fan

"this can be consider a FALSE/MISLEADING advertisement. they promoted the voting with yoongi and after armys won this they baselessly decided to not include him in the ads. BTS as a group won this award, and all SEVEN members must be featured." said another fan on X

More netizens came forward to express their displeasure and anger at UPICK's alleged exclusion of the BTS member.

"this is so unprofessional the way you excluded a member, BTS is seven. the fact that you still have a platform because of the fans but you chose to be this low, stupid and irrelevant, upick you are so trash, this is so ridiculously unprofessional omg." said a netizen on X

"THEY WON AS A GROUP. THEREFORE ALL GROUP MEMBERS MUST BE FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO. ADD HIM, OR TAKE THIS DOWN. THERE IS NO GROUP IF ONE MEMBER IS EXCLUDED." stated a netizen

"the fcvking audacity to intentionally remove a member while posting about an prize video that ARMY voted for BTS and BTS IS SEVEN!!!" commented a fan on X

On the other hand, BTS' SUGA was charged with DUI for driving an electric scooter under the influence on August 6, 2024. The idol drove the electric scooter from the studio to his house, which was approximately 500 meters apart. While no one was hurt by the incident, the idol fell from the scooter in front of his house.

When this was spotted by the nearby patrol police, he had to pay a fine, his license was revoked, and he was charged with DUI. The idol and his agency, BigHit Entertainment released an apology statement regarding the same. The case is currently still ongoing and was recently passed to protection after investigations.

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UPICK releases statement explaining the reason behind their alleged exclusion of BTS' SUGA from their recent advertisement

Following the backslash that UPICK received for their advertisement, they released a statement on September 9 explaining their stance. They stated that the exclusion of SUGA was not their decision but it was in the guidelines they received from the advertising media organization.

Here's what the statement read:

Hello, this is UPICK. Recently, we received a new guide from the advertising media organization. In accordance with the guidelines, we have been informed that exposure of certain members in videos that fans have so lovingly created is not possible.

Their statement continued,

We have continued to convey our opinions to the media from the fans' perspective, but we have repeatedly received responses that exposure is not possible. Currently, we are continuing to coordinate with the advertising media organization regarding the possible scope and will announce the final situation as soon as possible.

UPICK concluded its statement with the following:

We would like to inform you that the above exposure impossibility has nothing to do with UPICK's opinion. We will continue to do our best to provide services based on the fans' valuable opinions and perspectives. Thank you.

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However, fans have not been convinced with the statement. They've been demanding further explanation about the guidelines, the advertising media organization, and other restrictions that led to SUGA's exclusion from the video. Additionally, even with the statement, fans expressed that they'd rather have no video at all instead of an incomplete video that excludes a member.