5 BTS controversies: From Suga’s DUI to misogynistic lyrics, and their apologies |

BTS, the global K-pop sensation, has faced its fair share of controversies over the years, with the group and its agency, BigHit Music, often issuing public apologies to address various incidents. Most recently, member Suga found himself at the center of a scandal involving drunk driving, a situation that led to widespread media coverage and an official response from both Suga and the agency.However, this is not the first time the group has navigated through stormy waters, as there have been several notable incidents over the past decade that required public apologies.
Suga’s drunk driving incident
The latest controversy involving BTS occurred on July 6, when Suga, also known as Min Yoongi, was caught driving an electric kickboard scooter while intoxicated. According to reports from Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, Suga fell off the scooter while parking it, prompting a police officer to administer a breathalyzer test, which he failed. As a result, Suga’s driver’s license was revoked, and he was fined for violating the Road Traffic Act. Both Suga and BigHit Music swiftly responded to the incident by issuing apologies on the fan platform Weverse. Suga acknowledged his mistake, stating, “I thought complacently that it was a short distance, not realizing I was not allowed to ride the electric scooter while intoxicated, breaking the road traffic act.” Suga has been fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent since September 2023, a role that typically allows him to return home after work hours.
Controversial outfits and accessories
Another significant controversy occurred in 2018 when BTS faced backlash for wearing outfits and accessories with Nazi imagery and references to the atomic bomb in old photoshoots and performances. BigHit Music, then known as Big Hit Entertainment, issued an apology on November 13, 2018, addressing the concerns raised by the public. The statement clarified that the intent behind the performance was to criticize totalitarianism, not to glorify it. The agency took steps to rectify the situation, including contacting atomic bomb victim associations in Japan and Korea and sending a letter of apology to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group.

Jungkook‘s dating rumors
In 2019, BTS member Jungkook was embroiled in dating rumors after CCTV images were leaked showing him spending time with a female friend, Lee Mi-joo. The incident occurred during BTS’ holiday, and the leaked images led to widespread speculation about Jungkook’s personal life. BigHit Music denied the dating rumors and took legal action against the individual who leaked the photos, citing violations of personal information and defamation. During a segment on ‘BTS Bon Voyage 4’, Jungkook expressed his remorse to fans, saying, “I’m very sorry to the fans. I still feel guilty about it.” He assured fans that he would not let them down in the future.
Misogynistic lyrics controversy
In 2016, BTS faced criticism for misogynistic lyrics in some of their songs, including ‘Hormone War’ and RM’s ‘Joke.’ BigHit Music addressed the controversy on the official fan cafe, acknowledging that some lyrics could be misinterpreted as criticizing women, which was not the intention when the songs were written. The agency apologized to fans and others who felt uncomfortable with the lyrics, promising to be more mindful of such issues in future projects.
Suga’s mixtape controversy
In 2020, Suga faced another controversy related to his mixtape ‘D-2’, particularly the track “What do you think?” which included a vocal sample of an introductory address. BigHit Music explained that the sample was selected by the producer, but there was an error in the selection and inspection process, leading to the inclusion of inappropriate content. The agency issued an apology and promptly removed the problematic section from the track before re-releasing it. Suga expressed his distress over the incident and took responsibility for the oversight.

BTS, despite facing various challenges, continues to stand tall as one of the most impactful music groups on the global stage. The group, which was formed in 2010 and officially debuted in 2013 under BigHit Entertainment, comprises seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Over the years, they have delivered multiple chart-topping albums such as ‘Dark & Wild’, ‘Wings’, ‘Love Yourself: Tear’, and ‘Map of the Soul: 7’. In June 2022, BTS announced a temporary break from group activities to fulfill their mandatory military service obligations. The group’s eldest member, Jin, began his service in December 2022, with the remaining members enlisting throughout 2023, and a much-anticipated reunion is scheduled for 2025.