BTS’ Suga: 5 facts about the lead rapper ‘tricked’ into joining the K-pop boy group who has spoken out about mental health
Suga joined Big Hit Entertainment to become a producer, but says he was ‘tricked’ into signing by founder Bang Si-hyuk, who said he would be in a group like 1TYM, and that he could focus on rapping
Known all over the world as Suga, or his real name Min Yoon-gi, he is BTS’ lead rapper and a dedicated songwriter and record producer. As he turns 27 on March 9, we get to know more about the talented artist’s career, interests outside music, and his colourful personality.
1. He joined Big Hit Entertainment to become a producer
“I didn’t want to become a rapper, I wanted to become a composer. That’s why I joined the agency,” Suga told the television programme Rookie King Channel BTS in 2013.
On why he ended up signing with Big Hit Entertainment, the BTS rapper joked about how the agency’s founder and co-CEO Bang Si-hyuk “tricked” him. “He told me I’d be in a [hip-hop] group like 1TYM. He said I wouldn’t have to dance, only groove a little. He said all I’d have to do is focus on rapping,” Suga said. “I actually wanted to be 1TYM!”
Alongside his emotionally-charged rap lyrics, Suga is known for producing and composing many of his own songs.
In 2016, he released a self-produced, 10-track mixtape called “Agust D”, referencing the stage name he used before becoming Suga of BTS. Agust D is an anagram that combines his BTS name, where D is a reference to his hometown, Daegu. In his Spotify bio, his works as Agust D are described as “unimpeded, rough-cut and powerful”.
In a 2017 Elle interview, Suga said that he has been writing rhymes and lyrics since childhood. These lines usually reveal his thoughts and emotions, and eventually find their way into his songs. “All the songs I've written, they made me a better person and helped me grow up,” he said.