According to a report from The Korea Herald on the 28th, an insider familiar with the situation at Samsung Electronics stated, “Appointing an individual involved in social controversy as a brand ambassador carries significant risk, regardless of fandom. Careful consideration is required.”
The insider further added, “However, Suga will not be immediately removed from the advertisements because the contract is with BTS as a whole. Unless Suga leaves the group, it is difficult to take immediate action. We need to observe the situation further.”
Earlier, on the 17th, Samsung Electronics’ German branch deleted a promotional photo from their official X (formerly Twitter) account showing Suga holding a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The photo, which was posted on the 15th and 16th, was taken down after both domestic and international BTS fans (known as ARMY) argued that it was inappropriate for Suga to continue appearing in advertisements following the drunk driving incident.
The partnership between Samsung and BTS began in February 2020. BTS has served as the global ambassadors for Samsung smartphones, launching BTS-themed editions of the Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy Buds+.
In August 2022, a collaborative video between BTS and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 was showcased on the iconic screens of New York’s Times Square. Suga also made an appearance at the Galaxy Unpacked event in Seoul last year.
Recently, Suga was found on August 6th at 11:27 PM on a street in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, having fallen off an electric scooter. A nearby police officer assisted him, and a breathalyzer test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227%, which is considered a severely intoxicated level.
Suga, who enlisted for basic military training in March at the Nonsan Training Center in Chungcheongnam-do, is currently serving as a public service worker. His discharge date is set for June next year.
Source: Nate
