US media is just as toxic. Click bait articles just to make sure they get attention. I feel bad for Suga. I know he will survive because he has ARMY with him. I was saddened by Lee Sun-kyun's death. He had a family too. I don't know if S. Korea has a way to make media accountable but Lee Sun-kyun's family should sue them if possible. They go too far.
I don't know that US media is as toxic. When Justin Timberlake was pulled over for DUI in New York a few weeks ago, it had a brief flurry of coverage and I've barely heard about it since. The entertainment media (like TMZ and Access Hollywood) will flog this stuff, but celebrity scandals don't get much play in the mainstream news (unless it's something like Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby...but those cases were real crimes, not just "scandals."). Suga's incident received obsessive covered by every major network and newspaper in the country. Approximately 1,400 pieces and counting.
Difference is in the US, tabloids aren’t taken seriously and MSM is clearly separated from them. In Korea however, MSM is behaving like tabloids so who is the world supposed to trust? The outright bullying & threats in this case are completely unpalatable and Hybe absolutely must sue.
Watching it unfold from a Western perspective has been mind blowing.
Watching it unfold from an ARMY perspective has been INFURIATING.
Watching it unfold from a human lens has been utterly devastating.
To see what is basically a regular Tuesday night incident in any North American or even European city turned into an international spectacle where journalists have even called the incident fatal (to whom or what?! The sidewalk?!), demanded more of an apology than he gave, calling for initiation of both MYG and BH for misleading with their initial statements. As though any one of those people is without flaws or occasions of bad judgment.
To want to see their fellow countryman, who has done so much for SK’s image, fall, and not just fall, CRASH and burn is just so gross.
The police watched him slowly pass them and did nothing. Not until he fell. Clearly didn’t think he was a danger before he fell. Ugh.
And the way the police said, and I’m totally paraphrasing, that there’s no photo line up for him, but if reporters are there when he’s summoned, well then…
I can’t wait to eventually exhale, but it’s hard feeling helpless and knowing that it’s not a fraction of the stress and frustration and disbelief that he must be feeling. So, we watch and report and support and try to be louder than the ones who just want to break him.
Aug 20·edited Aug 20Liked by K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim
The CCTV disproved the idea that he 'lied' in every sense of the word, so to hear that peddled and to hear the police at a press conference say that they would 'investigate' whether he purposefully minimised the event in his public statement, once the CCTV was there for everyone to see, is sickening.
I LOVE it when you call out the bs in media. I am also annoyed at Hybe for not defending Suga better. For all the money, world wide awareness, promotion of Kpop and Korea culture Suga, BTS has generated it is so hypocrital for Korea media to pile on and encourage the Suga hate and for Hybe to appear to sit back and watch. Suga is entitled to his private life. He made a mistake, he apologized, he got fined and punished, move on people. Forgiveness does not seem to be valued or easily given. That's a shame.
It is an active investigation. Anything they do publicly will only serve to cause more chaos and drama for Yoongi. This is NOT the time for them to be outspoken, but to do their work behind the scenes to protect him. They are a publicly traded company. They answer to shareholders, they can’t go all shooter ARMY on us. I am sure that they are doing everything they can to have this cause as little disruption to Yoongi and BTS and ultimately their company. We know how they work in the shadows every time we get the notice of who they are suing now.
Rightly said . Agreed. Company is smart enough to not publicize their actions on a public platform. They won't definitely let this slide. Yes we all want justice but being impatient about it won't be good. Let's keep supporting the right and shielding BTS from all of it meanwhile.
Aug 20·edited Aug 20Liked by K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim
The dehumanization and aggressive judgement that I've witnessed coming out of South Korea regarding SUGA is disgusting. Regardless if you are a fan or not of SUGA, anyone villifying this individual for such a minor violation--including media outlets and general population--should be ashamed of themselves for lacking simple decency and humanity.
Thank you for writing this! You voiced what a lot of ARMY's have been saying over the last couple weeks.
I'm hoping you can one day address how the media clamored to cover the #SugaChallenge to make it look like Suga was negatively influencing ARMY's even though the challenge was started by fans of other groups (AESPA, BlackPink, NewJeans, etc.). The media went as far as cropping out or blurring usernames to prevent viewers from investigating these profiles themselves.
The coverage of the Suga challenge was so irresponsible. Any person with basic internet skills could've seen that trolls were participating in the challenge. I firmly believe that the media knew ARMY's weren't doing this challenge, but they still chose to report it because they had an agenda to sell.
It seems that I have been manipulated by Korean media myself, because I followed the Lee Sun-kyun case very casually and was not aware the police did not actually have any evidence of drug use. With the way it was reported on, I assumed they had. Shame on me. And shame on the journalists and police who did not give him any peace.
I knew k-media was sensationalist in their reporting, but I did not know until last week that they will outright make up stories and broadcast fake evidence. As a BTS fan with a Suga bias, I have been angry, worried, upset, anxious, and stressed as I have watched him be unduly torn apart by the press. If that is how I am feeling as just a fan, I cannot imagine what he and those close to him must be going through.
It has not even been a year since Lee Sun-kyun's tragedy, and while it is still fresh in people's minds Suga's situation is adding yet another black mark against the reputation of the police and media. I'm glad Bong Joon-ho spoke out earlier this year, and while I'm sad nothing came of it at the time, I'm hopeful that more voices might join him now. Maybe even those from the music industry. At some point, something has to change.
"As a BTS fan with a Suga bias, I have been angry, worried, upset, anxious, and stressed as I have watched him be unduly torn apart by the press. If that is how I am feeling as just a fan, I cannot imagine what he and those close to him must be going through."
I am exactly where you are. I've been stunned by how gross this has gotten. Headlines blaring (falsely) that he's going to prison. Lies about him being passed out on the sidewalk. Anonymous "sources" even disparaging his civil service job performance (as if that would even have anything to do with this case). Speaking of which, I keep thinking about how he has to keep going to work, and try to do this compulsory job, while the whole damn country is gossiping about him. It's all too disgusting. We Army can't be with him, but I just hope he has a lot of friends and family by his side, and that no one's letting him isolate himself while this is going on.
It's so sad how many idols are tormented by the media and many times by stalker fans. They're human beings, but they aren't allowed to be such. Everyone knows about the drinking culture in Korea, and I've seen entire articles and photo blogs dedicated to drunk people on the street. Nobody seems to think it's strange/bad/weird until an idol does it! I'm not really a huge BTS fan, nor do I enjoy rap much, but this is completely wrong, and I truly hope that Suga doesn't end up harming himself.
Thank you for being the voice of those who support Yoongi. This is what journalism should be about - 'speaking the truth' ! I am sorry but i can't take k-media seriously anymore. There is no difference between them and teenagers who gossip about things with zero evidence!
Thank you Jae-Ha for another thorough piece! Thanks for letting me join you too. Fully anticipating how SUGA will address all of this in his music. For sure he will not forget!
It appears that celebrities and idols in South Korea are frequently issuing apology letters for trivial matters, such as swapping shoes. Recently, a baseball player involved in a DUI vehicle accident received more sympathy than Suga. The reason behind this disparity is clear, Scooter-gate is a distraction from far more pressing issues in South Korea.
As an observer of Korean culture, I have noticed that post-work drinking is expected and declining is considered rude, while bullying is also prevalent (I initially thought these were just K-drama tropes).
Min Yoongi's apology is accepted, as we are all human and prone to mistakes. I look forward to his future successes and musical creations.
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Lee Sun-kyun. The ordeal they have gone through is unimaginable and no one should ever have to suffer such a fate.
Thank you very much👏🏾 for speaking on behalf of all the fans/international public who are not blinded by the manipulation of a country with media far from being loyal to human rights They incite suicide and lead people to depression by taking them by the hand and then leaving them with the responsibility as if they were not the harassers. Now with the case of the former baseball South Korean who, while reversing his car, collided with another car and the police arrived, they measured the level of something and it was enough to take away his license as well, but do you know what the difference is? What He apologized for what he did on the same television network that published 100 malicious articles about Suga, JTBC and everyone was empathetic with the former athlete but under the context of alcohol, But that shows the hypocrisy of the country and the media for not caring that he also drank and even crashed into another car, they never really cared about the laws, they only care about creating fake news and mediocre to have something to eat at home; by making so many articles and fake traffic cameras to one and by giving another a space for apologies without anyone making him doubt his word, they only show the world how easy it is having a title and not honoring it as it should be.
Thank you for your honest journalistic work and a good article showing the toxic morals of Korean society. The truth is that Min Yoongi and BTS are beyond the South Korean format. This is not the place for such an exceptional personality as SUGA. What happened was an INCIDENT compared to what is happening at the levels of Korean power. Toxic society.
(Tone: Sincere) First, I’m sorry to read about your bicycle accident & that you hobbled in pain- that’s never fun.
As for this atrocious ordeal Suga is in the midst of- I’m truly heartbroken for him for the reasons you’ve mentioned and what others have commented here as well. (Tone: Reflective) I would also add that while the media and greedy-money-grabbers are screeching on screens world wide making matters unnecessarily & unfairly worse- I think the other component to consider is the behavior of those consuming the content and recklessly spewing hateful & malicious gossip. Needless to say- the media wants people to react after all. Social media dines on assumptions, gossip, & sensationalism and those who partake (in my eyes) are just as culpable.
(Tone: Sincere) I echo your question as to whether we’ve learned anything; furthermore, why isn’t the outrage directed at those actually causing harm?
I wonder what would happen if we shifted the focus from chastising Suga to applauding him for his courage, cooperation, honesty, humility, strength, and among much else willingness to face the mirror of the collective’s fear/shame…sigh. What’s the saying? Those who point and scream the loudest are usually the ones with unresolved problems/issues or something to hide?
In any case, I’m grateful for your words and for highlighting the injustice that is taking place and for continuing to inspire me to learn more & expand my empathy! I’m cheering for Suga to get through this as smoothly & stress-free as possible…I’d bet that most engaging would be at their wits’ end if they were in his shoes…💜🖤✌🏼
There is so much that this non Korean outsider loves,respects, and admires about the Korean culture and it's people. But there is a part of it that turns my stomach. How sad for those who live in the public eye, as in a fish bowl from which there is no escape. How personally claustrophobic. How dehumnizing. How sad. My sympathies to Suga and others. They are up on the highest pedastle, .... until suddenly they're not. Then it seems like wolves to the slaughter. Not saying that there aren't similar problems in other countries. And not saying Suga couldn't have avoided his situation. Just that no one should have to live a life that way.
Exactly. No one thinks it's acceptable to drink and drive (since a DUI is applicable to riders of scooters in South Korea). But there is a level of unnecessary vitriol that is all too encompassing.
As you wrote, it reminded me of tall poppy syndrome, which is a thing in Australia. Sort of “too famous for your own good” cut down to size. It’s not pretty either. We need to do better. I am not ARMY (I don’t think I can say that with buying only one album) but nobody deserves this. There should be more done for it on a criminal level as opposed to civil lawsuits.
US media is just as toxic. Click bait articles just to make sure they get attention. I feel bad for Suga. I know he will survive because he has ARMY with him. I was saddened by Lee Sun-kyun's death. He had a family too. I don't know if S. Korea has a way to make media accountable but Lee Sun-kyun's family should sue them if possible. They go too far.
I don't know that US media is as toxic. When Justin Timberlake was pulled over for DUI in New York a few weeks ago, it had a brief flurry of coverage and I've barely heard about it since. The entertainment media (like TMZ and Access Hollywood) will flog this stuff, but celebrity scandals don't get much play in the mainstream news (unless it's something like Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby...but those cases were real crimes, not just "scandals."). Suga's incident received obsessive covered by every major network and newspaper in the country. Approximately 1,400 pieces and counting.
Difference is in the US, tabloids aren’t taken seriously and MSM is clearly separated from them. In Korea however, MSM is behaving like tabloids so who is the world supposed to trust? The outright bullying & threats in this case are completely unpalatable and Hybe absolutely must sue.
Watching it unfold from a Western perspective has been mind blowing.
Watching it unfold from an ARMY perspective has been INFURIATING.
Watching it unfold from a human lens has been utterly devastating.
To see what is basically a regular Tuesday night incident in any North American or even European city turned into an international spectacle where journalists have even called the incident fatal (to whom or what?! The sidewalk?!), demanded more of an apology than he gave, calling for initiation of both MYG and BH for misleading with their initial statements. As though any one of those people is without flaws or occasions of bad judgment.
To want to see their fellow countryman, who has done so much for SK’s image, fall, and not just fall, CRASH and burn is just so gross.
The police watched him slowly pass them and did nothing. Not until he fell. Clearly didn’t think he was a danger before he fell. Ugh.
And the way the police said, and I’m totally paraphrasing, that there’s no photo line up for him, but if reporters are there when he’s summoned, well then…
I can’t wait to eventually exhale, but it’s hard feeling helpless and knowing that it’s not a fraction of the stress and frustration and disbelief that he must be feeling. So, we watch and report and support and try to be louder than the ones who just want to break him.
The CCTV disproved the idea that he 'lied' in every sense of the word, so to hear that peddled and to hear the police at a press conference say that they would 'investigate' whether he purposefully minimised the event in his public statement, once the CCTV was there for everyone to see, is sickening.
I LOVE it when you call out the bs in media. I am also annoyed at Hybe for not defending Suga better. For all the money, world wide awareness, promotion of Kpop and Korea culture Suga, BTS has generated it is so hypocrital for Korea media to pile on and encourage the Suga hate and for Hybe to appear to sit back and watch. Suga is entitled to his private life. He made a mistake, he apologized, he got fined and punished, move on people. Forgiveness does not seem to be valued or easily given. That's a shame.
It is an active investigation. Anything they do publicly will only serve to cause more chaos and drama for Yoongi. This is NOT the time for them to be outspoken, but to do their work behind the scenes to protect him. They are a publicly traded company. They answer to shareholders, they can’t go all shooter ARMY on us. I am sure that they are doing everything they can to have this cause as little disruption to Yoongi and BTS and ultimately their company. We know how they work in the shadows every time we get the notice of who they are suing now.
Exactly. The best thing both Suga and HYBE can do now is stay quiet until the investigation is complete. Then unleash lawsuits left, right and centre.
Waiting for that patiently.
Rightly said . Agreed. Company is smart enough to not publicize their actions on a public platform. They won't definitely let this slide. Yes we all want justice but being impatient about it won't be good. Let's keep supporting the right and shielding BTS from all of it meanwhile.
The dehumanization and aggressive judgement that I've witnessed coming out of South Korea regarding SUGA is disgusting. Regardless if you are a fan or not of SUGA, anyone villifying this individual for such a minor violation--including media outlets and general population--should be ashamed of themselves for lacking simple decency and humanity.
Thank you for writing this! You voiced what a lot of ARMY's have been saying over the last couple weeks.
I'm hoping you can one day address how the media clamored to cover the #SugaChallenge to make it look like Suga was negatively influencing ARMY's even though the challenge was started by fans of other groups (AESPA, BlackPink, NewJeans, etc.). The media went as far as cropping out or blurring usernames to prevent viewers from investigating these profiles themselves.
The coverage of the Suga challenge was so irresponsible. Any person with basic internet skills could've seen that trolls were participating in the challenge. I firmly believe that the media knew ARMY's weren't doing this challenge, but they still chose to report it because they had an agenda to sell.
It seems that I have been manipulated by Korean media myself, because I followed the Lee Sun-kyun case very casually and was not aware the police did not actually have any evidence of drug use. With the way it was reported on, I assumed they had. Shame on me. And shame on the journalists and police who did not give him any peace.
I knew k-media was sensationalist in their reporting, but I did not know until last week that they will outright make up stories and broadcast fake evidence. As a BTS fan with a Suga bias, I have been angry, worried, upset, anxious, and stressed as I have watched him be unduly torn apart by the press. If that is how I am feeling as just a fan, I cannot imagine what he and those close to him must be going through.
It has not even been a year since Lee Sun-kyun's tragedy, and while it is still fresh in people's minds Suga's situation is adding yet another black mark against the reputation of the police and media. I'm glad Bong Joon-ho spoke out earlier this year, and while I'm sad nothing came of it at the time, I'm hopeful that more voices might join him now. Maybe even those from the music industry. At some point, something has to change.
"As a BTS fan with a Suga bias, I have been angry, worried, upset, anxious, and stressed as I have watched him be unduly torn apart by the press. If that is how I am feeling as just a fan, I cannot imagine what he and those close to him must be going through."
I am exactly where you are. I've been stunned by how gross this has gotten. Headlines blaring (falsely) that he's going to prison. Lies about him being passed out on the sidewalk. Anonymous "sources" even disparaging his civil service job performance (as if that would even have anything to do with this case). Speaking of which, I keep thinking about how he has to keep going to work, and try to do this compulsory job, while the whole damn country is gossiping about him. It's all too disgusting. We Army can't be with him, but I just hope he has a lot of friends and family by his side, and that no one's letting him isolate himself while this is going on.
It's so sad how many idols are tormented by the media and many times by stalker fans. They're human beings, but they aren't allowed to be such. Everyone knows about the drinking culture in Korea, and I've seen entire articles and photo blogs dedicated to drunk people on the street. Nobody seems to think it's strange/bad/weird until an idol does it! I'm not really a huge BTS fan, nor do I enjoy rap much, but this is completely wrong, and I truly hope that Suga doesn't end up harming himself.
Thank you for being the voice of those who support Yoongi. This is what journalism should be about - 'speaking the truth' ! I am sorry but i can't take k-media seriously anymore. There is no difference between them and teenagers who gossip about things with zero evidence!
Thank you Jae-Ha for another thorough piece! Thanks for letting me join you too. Fully anticipating how SUGA will address all of this in his music. For sure he will not forget!
Thank you for sharing your expertise, Joy. Your perspective was so important to this piece!
It appears that celebrities and idols in South Korea are frequently issuing apology letters for trivial matters, such as swapping shoes. Recently, a baseball player involved in a DUI vehicle accident received more sympathy than Suga. The reason behind this disparity is clear, Scooter-gate is a distraction from far more pressing issues in South Korea.
As an observer of Korean culture, I have noticed that post-work drinking is expected and declining is considered rude, while bullying is also prevalent (I initially thought these were just K-drama tropes).
Min Yoongi's apology is accepted, as we are all human and prone to mistakes. I look forward to his future successes and musical creations.
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Lee Sun-kyun. The ordeal they have gone through is unimaginable and no one should ever have to suffer such a fate.
Thank you very much👏🏾 for speaking on behalf of all the fans/international public who are not blinded by the manipulation of a country with media far from being loyal to human rights They incite suicide and lead people to depression by taking them by the hand and then leaving them with the responsibility as if they were not the harassers. Now with the case of the former baseball South Korean who, while reversing his car, collided with another car and the police arrived, they measured the level of something and it was enough to take away his license as well, but do you know what the difference is? What He apologized for what he did on the same television network that published 100 malicious articles about Suga, JTBC and everyone was empathetic with the former athlete but under the context of alcohol, But that shows the hypocrisy of the country and the media for not caring that he also drank and even crashed into another car, they never really cared about the laws, they only care about creating fake news and mediocre to have something to eat at home; by making so many articles and fake traffic cameras to one and by giving another a space for apologies without anyone making him doubt his word, they only show the world how easy it is having a title and not honoring it as it should be.
Thank you for your honest journalistic work and a good article showing the toxic morals of Korean society. The truth is that Min Yoongi and BTS are beyond the South Korean format. This is not the place for such an exceptional personality as SUGA. What happened was an INCIDENT compared to what is happening at the levels of Korean power. Toxic society.
(Tone: Sincere) First, I’m sorry to read about your bicycle accident & that you hobbled in pain- that’s never fun.
As for this atrocious ordeal Suga is in the midst of- I’m truly heartbroken for him for the reasons you’ve mentioned and what others have commented here as well. (Tone: Reflective) I would also add that while the media and greedy-money-grabbers are screeching on screens world wide making matters unnecessarily & unfairly worse- I think the other component to consider is the behavior of those consuming the content and recklessly spewing hateful & malicious gossip. Needless to say- the media wants people to react after all. Social media dines on assumptions, gossip, & sensationalism and those who partake (in my eyes) are just as culpable.
(Tone: Sincere) I echo your question as to whether we’ve learned anything; furthermore, why isn’t the outrage directed at those actually causing harm?
I wonder what would happen if we shifted the focus from chastising Suga to applauding him for his courage, cooperation, honesty, humility, strength, and among much else willingness to face the mirror of the collective’s fear/shame…sigh. What’s the saying? Those who point and scream the loudest are usually the ones with unresolved problems/issues or something to hide?
In any case, I’m grateful for your words and for highlighting the injustice that is taking place and for continuing to inspire me to learn more & expand my empathy! I’m cheering for Suga to get through this as smoothly & stress-free as possible…I’d bet that most engaging would be at their wits’ end if they were in his shoes…💜🖤✌🏼
There is so much that this non Korean outsider loves,respects, and admires about the Korean culture and it's people. But there is a part of it that turns my stomach. How sad for those who live in the public eye, as in a fish bowl from which there is no escape. How personally claustrophobic. How dehumnizing. How sad. My sympathies to Suga and others. They are up on the highest pedastle, .... until suddenly they're not. Then it seems like wolves to the slaughter. Not saying that there aren't similar problems in other countries. And not saying Suga couldn't have avoided his situation. Just that no one should have to live a life that way.
Exactly. No one thinks it's acceptable to drink and drive (since a DUI is applicable to riders of scooters in South Korea). But there is a level of unnecessary vitriol that is all too encompassing.
As you wrote, it reminded me of tall poppy syndrome, which is a thing in Australia. Sort of “too famous for your own good” cut down to size. It’s not pretty either. We need to do better. I am not ARMY (I don’t think I can say that with buying only one album) but nobody deserves this. There should be more done for it on a criminal level as opposed to civil lawsuits.
I do not judge South Korean media by western standards, but by South Korean law.
How do South Korean media outlets get away with breaking South Korean defamation law?