The controversy surrounding BTS member Suga’s drunk driving incident has not stopped. From protests demanding his removal from the band to online challenges mimicking the incident, public discussions have heated up over the matter and fans have come to the rapper’s defense.
Meanwhile, addressing the ‘ban’ on the artist, KBS has confirmed that it will follow the guidelines of its broadcast appearance review committee. This comes shortly after another top K-media apologised for wrongly reporting fake CCTV footage.
KBS discusses possibility of ban on Suga
Following the Daechwita rapper’s drunken incident on August 7, KBS has confirmed that they are considering whether to hold a broadcast appearance review committee meeting to discuss his future on the channel.
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The channel’s guidelines generally prohibit individuals involved in illegal activities or major social controversies from appearing on air. However, a decision on whether to hold such a meeting is still pending, according to Ilgan Sports. KBS said, “We are undecided on holding such a meeting for BTS’s Suga.”
Suga’s broadcast ban has not yet been ‘discussed or immediately resolved’
In another statement provided to StarNews, the popular South Korean broadcasting company mentioned that the rapper’s ongoing military service plays a key role in deciding the outcome of the case, as there are reports that he might be called in for investigation soon.
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According to KBS, Suga is currently serving his alternative military duty, so he is not appearing on any KBS programs. [A ban on Suga’s appearance] This is not an issue that needs to be discussed or resolved immediately. Also, since his case is under police investigation, we have to wait for the results.
JTBC apologizes after releasing wrong footage
JTBC, a major news outlet in South Korea, issued an official apology for airing false CCTV footage related to the incident. The controversy began when the network aired footage it claimed was of Suga, showing a man on an electric scooter. It was later revealed that the footage was false, leading fans to criticize the news network for spreading misinformation about the case.
The company released an official statement saying, “Our newsroom reported on BTS member Suga’s DUI on August 7. In the first part of our report, we showed CCTV footage of an electric scooter passing through a main road. Police investigations later confirmed that the male in the video was not Suga. We apologize for causing confusion.”
What is the review committee of KBS?
South Korea’s national broadcaster KBS has a strict policy regarding appearances by individuals involved in legal or ethical controversies. Earlier, it banned Bloodhands actress Kim Sae Ron for a similar DUI incident, even though her blood alcohol content was significantly lower than the amount of alcohol found in Suga’s case. The broadcaster imposed a temporary suspension on her.
To ensure that these rules are followed, KBS has a broadcast appearance review committee. If a person’s behavior is seen as problematic by the committee, it can impose different limitations on them. These can be simple requests for the producer not to use that person, or they can be permanent or just temporary bans.
