JTBC Apologizes For Misinformation on BTS Suga's DUI Incident — But ARMYS Aren't Satisfied
JTBC has apologized regarding misinformation on Suga's DUI incident. However, ARMYs online weren't satisfied with the apology.
Suga trended earlier on August 7, when the idol was charged with violating the Road Traffic Act by the Seoul Yongsan Police Station. According to Korean news outlets, Suga drove an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol and eventually fell nearby his place.
Three policemen were assigned on patrol around the Nine One, Hannam, and they were alerted by Suga's fall during a turn.
Following this, Korean media began to search for footage of the incident, with JTBC releasing a incorrect CCTV clip amid the ongoing controversy.
On August 14, outlet DongA Ilbo shared updated footage, showing what really happened to Suga. The clip disproved JTBC's version since the scooter the station showed does not involve Suga, and that the vehicle was heading in a different direction instead of the rapper's home.
(Photo : DongA Ilbo)
this is the CCTV of what happened to Yoongi
— lea⁷ 🧑🏻🚀 (@seokjinbit) August 14, 2024
he was riding that e-scooter at near walking speed, in the correct lane away from cars, he was wearing a helmet, he rode for 500m, he fell infront of his house after a sharp turn, immediately stood up after pic.twitter.com/8beaHzzATf
ARMYs were enraged with the misinformation, causing JTBC to receive flak. The station has since deleted its initial footage and replaced the content with the updated version. On August 16, JTBC directly addressed the misinformation on Suga's DUI incident.
"Our newsroom reported about BTS member Suga's DUI on the 7th of August. During the report's first portion, we showed CCTV footage of an electric scooter driving the main road."
"According to police investigations later, it was revealed that the person in the video was not Suga. We apologize for causing confusion."
JTBC's "Newsroom" apologizes regarding the False SUGA's CCTV footage & spreading misinformation..
— BTS Updates, News & Charts ⁷ (@_BTSMoments_) August 16, 2024
👤 "the investigation confirmed that the man in the video on the electric scooter is not SUGA, we apologize for the misunderstanding" pic.twitter.com/bJx4EnPFc6
The backlash, however, did not dissipate despite JTBC's actions. On social media platform X (Twitter), netizens weren't satisfied with the apology. Fans also expressed anger to the station and claimed that the apology wasn't sincere enough.
Read their reactions below:
Idgaf about apology, I want justice, I want sanctions, I want fines, I want dismissals, I want press cards withdrawn, I want "journalists" demoted, I want them discredited in public. It will all be worth the harm they've done#KoreanMediaBeProfessional#SugaDidNotLie https://t.co/D3Lprd8YKw
— Coco_OTae7 ᵐᵘˢᵉ🐹🐿️🐱🐨🐥🐻🐰 (@Coco_OTae7) August 16, 2024
Apology rejected https://t.co/140d1ezT2l pic.twitter.com/F0eMaHWzZA
— WHO is Rosh⁷ ᵐᵘˢᵉ🐻🐥 (@Vmin95zislove7) August 16, 2024
"We apologize for the confusion " confusion?? IT WAS A HATE TRAIN https://t.co/140d1ezT2l pic.twitter.com/8qdEHEuZan
— WHO is Rosh⁷ ᵐᵘˢᵉ🐻🐥 (@Vmin95zislove7) August 16, 2024
That's it?? That "confusion" led him from receiving multiple harassment and yet jtbc can't even give a proper apology even a bow from what they've done https://t.co/PDN1jiHXGr
— 바비 (@babiteas) August 16, 2024
I wish jtbc gets down on their knees bow down to the floor and ask for an apology. That's what they deserve for hurting a person like yoongi. This looks like for namesake they are being sorry. https://t.co/P6Tbe4ZaKI
— Appu⁷ (@app_kook) August 16, 2024
"Confusion"
— ⟭BlueeDenise⁷⁼¹⟬ 아포방포💜 (@BlueeDenise) August 16, 2024
"Confusion" being him getting dragged by 1000+ articles the last few days, being called a "LIAR" in headlines, smearing his name and character...
"Confusion" my... You got a CCTV and accused him of riding a motorbike AND riding a longer distance than he said he did https://t.co/hoJsLsuIIq
Suga's apology letter was more sincere then whatever this shit is even tho suga did nthg wrong https://t.co/X39kVy6rzF
— Take two ⁷ ia (@taketwohershey) August 16, 2024
yoongi went through so much shit he deserves more than a half ass apology https://t.co/wqN1aN5yAo
— roundie (@fluffkkyu) August 16, 2024
that "misunderstanding " made people accused yoongi for a liar, you mf unethical so called journalist https://t.co/pe70mmjzrH
— シスカ⁷ (@_Lady_Phi) August 16, 2024
Yoongi did not go through all that dragging just for jtbc to give this half ass apology, he deserves a better and more genuine one. https://t.co/IINz0Q4krI
— are you sure, dea?!♡ (@kkyujimim) August 16, 2024
In other news, JTBC president Son Suk Hee apologized for a report regarding BTS and BIGHIT MUSIC (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) in December 2019. The initial report JTBC "Newsroom" claimed was that BTS had considered legal action against BIGHIT due to profit division issues.
BIGHIT responded to the reports, requesting an apology from JTBC for violating journalistic codes. Son Suk Hee shared, "We concluded that the possibility of a legal dispute is almost zero."
The president added, "We humbly accept the criticism that our information was way over itself for claiming a situation in which no instances of legal action had been taken."
What are your thoughts on JTBC's apology?
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: K-Media DongA Ilbo Shares 'Correct' Footage of BTS Suga's Drunk Driving Incident - See Clip Here
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Written by Israel Monte
