HYBE in Turmoil Amid Suga's Drunk Driving and Bang Si-hyuk's Paparazzi Scandal

In the midst of BTS member Suga's recent controversy over drunk driving, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk has also found himself at the center of attention after being spotted with BJ Se-yeon, a popular figure born in 2000, in the United States.

Suga was involved in a drunk driving incident on the night of August 6th. At around 11:27 p.m., he was found alone riding an electric scooter in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. A nearby police officer approached him to offer assistance and noticed the smell of alcohol. After conducting a breathalyzer test, it was revealed that Suga’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit of 0.08%, resulting in the revocation of his driver's license.

Suga admitted to riding an electric scooter after drinking at a dinner. He explained, "I was on my way home when I fell off the scooter near my front gate. A police officer happened to be nearby and conducted a breathalyzer test, which led to the revocation of my license and a fine. I sincerely apologize for my actions."

Big Hit Music, Suga’s agency, confirmed the incident, stating that he was wearing a helmet while operating the electric scooter under the influence of alcohol. They further clarified that the incident occurred approximately 500 meters from his home and that no casualties or property damage resulted from the fall. Suga returned home under police supervision, and the agency apologized for the situation.

However, controversy deepened when CCTV footage revealed that Suga was riding an electric scooter with a saddle, not a typical electric kickboard as initially reported. This discrepancy led to speculation that the incident was downplayed. In response, Big Hit Music issued a second apology, acknowledging the miscommunication and clarifying that the scooter's classification might vary based on its performance and specifications. They apologized again for the oversight and any confusion caused.

Meanwhile, Bang Si-hyuk became embroiled in his own controversy when a YouTube channel showed him walking in Beverly Hills, California, with BJ Se-yeon and another woman. The footage, captured on August 8th, sparked rumors and discussions online.

A HYBE official responded to the speculation, stating that Bang Si-hyuk had met the two women at a gathering of acquaintances, where he offered advice on handling impersonation issues related to the entertainment industry. The official further explained that the women later joined Bang Si-hyuk in Los Angeles, where they sought his recommendations on tourist attractions and restaurants.

The controversies surrounding both Suga’s drunk driving and Bang Si-hyuk’s paparazzi incident have placed HYBE in a challenging situation, especially as the company continues to face allegations of breach of trust involving CEO Min Hee-jin.