Suga appears in Samsung ad amid speculation of end to brand ambassadorship

Industry

Suga appears in Samsung ad amid speculation of end to brand ambassadorship

Published: 02 Sep. 2024, 15:37 Updated: 02 Sep. 2024, 18:37

LEE JAE-LIM
lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr

Suga of BTS is featured on Samsung Paraguay's Instagram promoting the company's projector. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Suga of boy band BTS appeared as Samsung Electronics’ brand ambassador amid speculation that he may be fired from the position due to his recent drunk-driving incident involving an e-scooter last month.

The boy band member popped up in an Instagram post of Samsung's Paraguay subsidiary promoting the company’s Freestyle 2nd Gen projector on Friday. Several images of Suga using the projector at his music studio and a campsite were featured.

The rumor that Suga may no longer promote the company's products was sparked when Samsung’s German subsidiary hurriedly deleted images of him promoting its Galaxy S24 Ultra on Aug. 17 after uploading the pictures briefly.

An image featuring Suga promoting Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra was quickly deleted after being uploaded on Aug. 17. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

With regard to Suga’s continuation as a brand ambassador, a Samsung spokesperson briefly commented that the duration of the contract involving individual BTS members “cannot be disclosed,” and declined to comment whether Suga will maintain his position.

The post featuring Suga on Samsung Paraguay’s Instagram drew a flood of support for the member from BTS fandom ARMY.

Even among BTS, Suga has been especially recognized by Samsung for his active promotion of Galaxy phones. He received an employee card with his real name, Min Yoon-gi, in July of last year in a show of appreciation by the company for his attendance at the Galaxy Unpacked event in Seoul.

The singer came under fire last month when he was found driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.227 percent on Aug. 6, far exceeding the threshold for license revocation set at 0.08 percent.

Suga was summoned for police questioning on Aug. 23 and admitted to his charges.

BTS member Suga enters the Yongsan Police Station in central Seoul to be questioned by police on his DUI allegation on Aug. 23. [YONHAP]

He is currently on hiatus from his music career as he is completing his mandatory military service as a social service agent, a role that typically involves a regular daily work schedule, allowing him to return home after work hours.

He is scheduled to complete his service next June.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]