Min Yoon-gi (Korean:민윤기; born March 9, 1993), known professionally by his stage names Suga (stylized in all caps) and Agust D,[upper-alpha 1] is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and record producer. Managed by Big Hit Music, he debuted as a member of the South Korean boy bandBTS in 2013. In 2016, he released his first solo mixtape, Agust D. In 2018, he re-released the mixtape for digital purchase and streaming. The reissue reached number three on Billboard's World Albums Chart. In 2020, he released his second solo mixtape, D-2. Commercially, the mixtape peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, number seven on the UK Albums Chart, and number two on Australia's ARIA Album Chart. The Korea Music Copyright Association attributes over 100 songs to Suga as a songwriter and producer, including Suran's "Wine" which peaked at number two on the Gaon Music Chart and won best Soul/R&B track of the year at the 2017 Melon Music Awards.
Min Yoon-gi was born on March 9, 1993, in Daegu, South Korea.[2] The younger of two sons, he attended Taejeon Elementary School, Gwaneum Middle School, and Apgujeong High School.[3]
In March 2019, after graduating from the Global Cyber University with a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment, he enrolled at Hanyang Cyber University for the Master of Business Administration program in Advertising and Media.[4]
Career
1993–2010: Beginnings
Suga became interested in rap after hearing "Ragga Muffin" by Stony Skunk, stating that it was different from anything he had ever heard before. After hearing Epik High, he decided to become a rapper.[5]
By age 13, he began to write music lyrics and learned about MIDI. He worked a part-time job at a record studio by age 17. From then on, he began composing and arranging music, rapping, and performing.[2] Before being signed, he was active under the name Gloss as an underground rapper.[6] As part of the hip hop crew D-Town in 2010, he produced "518-062", a song commemorating the Gwangju Uprising.[7]
Suga performing at the Incheon Korean Music Wave in September 2013.
Originally joining the company as a music producer,[8] Suga trained under Big Hit Entertainment for three years alongside members J-Hope and RM. He made his debut as a member of BTS on Mnet's M Countdown with the track "No More Dream" from their debut single album 2 Cool 4 Skool.[9] He has produced and written lyrics for a variety of tracks on all of BTS' albums.
For BTS' third Korean-language extended play (EP) The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1, Suga released a solo intro entitled "Intro: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life".[10] The rap track's lyrics itself discussed the fears of reaching adulthood at the end of one's adolescent years.[11] It released on April 17, 2015, and featured an animated music video.[12]Pt. 1's follow up EP, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2, featured another intro performed by Suga, called "Intro: Never Mind", specifically recounting Suga's teenage years.[11] The song released on November 15, 2015,[13] and additionally served as the intro for BTS' 2016 compilation album The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever.[14] Suga did not perform another introductory track for BTS until 2020, where he released "Interlude: Shadow" as part of the album roll out for Map of the Soul: 7.[14][15] The interlude is a rap song that references "Intro: O!RUL8,2?" from the 2013 EP of the same name, and discusses BTS' fame, comparing its reality to the celebrity O!RUL8,2? dreamed about.[16] The song released on January 10, along with a music video also referencing the struggles of fame.[17] Tamar Herman of Billboard described it as a "evocative, yet brash track" and noted how the song's sound changes midway through to show "this dichotomy between the relationship of how fame and audiences watching him affects his idea of self".[15]
In addition to performing intros for BTS, Suga released two solo tracks under the group's name. The first, a song entitled "First Love", appeared on BTS' 2016 studio album Wings, is an autobiographical rap track reminiscent of a monologue.[18] On the 2018 compilation album Love Yourself: Answer, Suga released the song "Trivia: Seesaw", which discussed the up-and-down nature of falling in love.[19] That same year, Suga was awarded the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit as a member of BTS by the President of South Korea along with other members of the group.[20]
In July 2021, he was appointed Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture by President Moon Jae-in, along with the other members of BTS, to help "lead the global agenda for future generations, such as sustainable growth" and "expand South Korea's diplomatic efforts and global standing" in the international community.[21]
2016–present: Solo work
Suga released a free self-titled mixtape via SoundCloud on August 15, 2016.[22] He decided against releasing the project as a commercial studio album, describing it as the "feeling of being trapped in some sort of framework."[2] On the record, he discussed matters such as his struggles with depression and social phobia.[23] Fuse TV rated it one of the top 20 mixtapes of 2016.[24] The following year, in 2017, Suga composed the song "Wine" for singer Suran, whom he had previously worked with for a single on his mixtape.[25] At Suga's studio, Suran heard a rough draft of "Wine" and asked Suga for the song.[26] The record peaked at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart in South Korea and won best Soul/R&B track of the year at the Melon Music Awards on December 2, 2017.[27][28] Suga also received the "Hot Trend Award" for his work on the track.[29] Suga later re-released his mixtape for digital purchase and streaming in February 2018.[30] The reissue reached number three on Billboard's World Albums Chart, number five on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and number 74 on the Top Album Sales chart, in the United States. It also caused Suga's solo alias, Agust D, to reach number 46 on the Emerging Artists chart for the week of March 3.[31]
In January 2019, Suga provided a rap feature on Lee So-ra's single "Song Request". The track was co-written by Suga and Tablo of Epik High, who also produced the track.[32] The single debuted at number three on the Gaon Digital Chart and at number two on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart, with 3,000 downloads during the song's two-day charting period.[33][34] Suga later produced a track for Epik High's Sleepless in extended play, titled "Eternal Sunshine", in February.[35][36] He co-wrote and produced the digital single, "We Don't Talk Together", for singer Heize, which she released on July 7.[37] In December, American singer-songwriter Halsey released the song "Suga's Interlude", from her third studio album Manic, which both featured and was produced by Suga.[38]
On May 6, 2020, IU released the digital single "Eight" featuring and produced by Suga.[39] The song debuted at number one on both the Gaon Digital Chart and the World Digital Song Sales chart.[40][41] Suga released his second mixtape, D-2 (the continuation to Agust D), together with the music video for its lead single "Daechwita" on May 22,[42] which peaked at number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[43] The mixtape debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and became the highest-charting album by a Korean soloist in the US.[44] It is also the first Korean solo release to reach the top 10 in the United Kingdom, opening at number seven on the UK albums chart.[45]
In 2021, Suga recomposed Samsung's signature ringtone, "Over The Horizon". The track was unveiled on August 11, as part of Samsung's "Unpacked 2021" event.[46] Suga later produced the single "You" for Japanese singer ØMI, which was released on October 15.[47] In December, Suga featured on the single "Girl of My Dreams" for American rapper Juice Wrld's posthumous album Fighting Demons.[48] The song debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning Suga his second entry on the chart, as a solo artist.[49] On April 25, 2022, Suga was revealed as the producer of the lead single "That That" from Psy's album Psy 9th.[50] He also co-wrote and featured on the single, and appeared in the music video alongside Psy.[51]
Name
Suga at the 2016 Gaon Chart Awards on February 17, 2016.
The stage name Suga (슈가) is derived from the first syllables of the term shooting guard (슈팅 가드), the position he played in basketball as a student.[52] He adopted the alias Agust D in 2016 for his mixtape, which is derived from the initials DT, short for his birthplace, Daegu Town, and "Suga" spelled backwards.[2]
Artistry
Suga writes, composes, arranges, mixes, and masters his own material.[2] Over 100 registered songs are credited to him by the Korea Music Copyright Association.[53] He plays piano and produces mainly hip hop and R&B music.[2][54] His lyrics involve themes that are "full of dreams and hope," conceived with the intent of his music becoming "many people's strength."[55] He cites Stony Skunk and Epik High as his inspirations to pursue hip hop music. Particularly, he credits the former's reggae-hip hop hybrid album Ragga Muffin (2005) and its title track for igniting his interest in the genre.[56]
Jeff Benjamin of Fuse said that Suga's mixtape "showcases the star's ear for hot productions, hardcore rap style, and how he can make his vulnerabilities a strength."[57] Other critics stated that Suga's "storytelling execution in the music he creates tears down the barrier of censoring and sugarcoating".[58]
In January 2018, Suga was promoted to a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association.[59]
Reception
In 2017, Suga was ranked the 13th most preferred idol of the year in a survey conducted by Gallup Korea.[60] He subsequently ranked 7th in 2018 and 9th in 2019.[61]
Personal life
In 2018, he purchased a US$3 million apartment located in South Korea and as of 2019, he lives in Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.[62][63]
Health
In December 2013, Suga was diagnosed with appendicitis, and underwent surgery at Severance Hospital in Sinchon on the 9th. He was discharged on the 17th, but was hospitalized again on the 26th due to inflammation in the surgical site. Consequently, he was unable to attend any year-end music festivals.[64]
In December 2016, Suga suffered an ear injury after tripping over a door threshold. Following doctor recommendations, he took a one-week break from performing and participating in choreography (including at year-end festivals) to ensure the wound healed properly.[65]
In November 2020, Suga underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum (reverse Bankart tear) in his left shoulder, and announced that he would be taking a break from subsequent promotional activities in order to fully recover.[66][67] He resumed activities in January 2021, beginning with a performance at the 35th Golden Disc Awards.[68]
Other ventures
Philanthropy
In 2014, Suga made a promise to buy his fans meat should he find success as a musical artist. Four years later, on his 25th birthday, he donated beef to 39 orphanages in the name of "ARMY", BTS' fanbase.[69] For his 26th birthday, in 2019, he donated KR₩100 million (US$88,000) and 329 BT21 Shooky dolls to the Korea Pediatric Cancer Foundation.[70] On February 27, 2020, Suga donated ₩100 million to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to help prevention and relief efforts in his hometown of Daegu, one of the cities hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea at the time.[71][72] On March 9, 2021, he donated ₩100 million to Daegu's Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, to support child cancer patients who cannot access treatment due to financial difficulties.[73][74]
On March 9, 2022, in celebration of his 29th birthday, Suga donated ₩100 million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfires along the country's eastern coastal area.[75]
Activism
Suga has spoken openly about mental health and equality for the LGBTQ+ community.[76]
Discography
Suga at a press conference in Seoul following the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on May 29, 2017.
For Suga's works with BTS, see BTS singles discography and BTS albums discography.
Park, Han-bit (October 7, 2016). 방탄소년단의 슈가, 민윤기, 혹은 Agust D. Grazia Korea (in Korean). Seoul Media Group. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
Jang, Eun-kyung (April 30, 2015). [더스타프로필] 방탄소년단 슈가 "민피디는 음악장비를 수집합니다". The Star (in Korean). Chosun Ilbo Company. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
Hwang, Hye-jin (July 7, 2020). 방탄소년단 측 “RM·슈가·제이홉 지난해 대학원 입학, 지민·뷔 9월 입학 예정”(공식)[(Official) BTS' "RM, Suga, and J-Hope enrolled in graduate school last year, Jimin and V will be enrolled in September"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2021– via Naver.
박, 수정 (October 15, 2013). "방탄소년단, 네 꿈은 뭐니? (인터뷰)". Tenasia (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
Han, Mi-rae (November 12, 2015). 방탄소년단 슈가가 고2때 만든 5ㆍ18노래 화제. Seoul Economy Daily (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
Herman, Tamar (June 30, 2017). "Get To Know BTS: Suga". Billboard. Nielsen Holdings. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
"BTS". An An. Japan: Magazine House. June 14, 2016.
Park, Su-jeong (October 15, 2013). 방탄소년단, 네 꿈은 뭐니? (인터뷰). 10asia (in Korean). Korea Entertainment Media. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
Writer, Jim Bea Sampaga, Features Staff. ""Agust D" album review". Ka Leo O Hawaii. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
Kim, Hyun-seo (April 20, 2018). "방탄소년단(BTS) 슈가, 한국음악저작권협회 정회원 승격…'정회원 기준은?'"[BTS' Suga, a member of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOFIC), ' What are the criteria for full membership? ']. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
Hwang, Bi (January 20, 2019). 34억짜리 고급 빌라 대출 없이 '현금'으로 매입한 '영앤리치' 방탄 슈가["Young & Rich" BTS Suga purchased a 3.4 billion won luxury villa in cash without loan]. Insight (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
Han, Jin (July 3, 2018). [라이프트렌드] 유명인이 반한 한남동, 최고급 주거지로 뜬 이유[[Life trend] The reason why Hannam-dong, that celebrities have fallen in love with, became a top-class residential area]. Korea JoongAng Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
Park, Se-yeon (December 26, 2013). 방탄소년단 슈가 충수염 염증 재발 입원‥연말무대 불참[BTS Suga appendicitis inflammation readmitted for hospitalization..year-end stage absence]. Maeil Daily Economic Star Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
Kim, Jin-seok (December 22, 2016). 방탄소년단 슈가, 귀 부상으로 시상식 일부 불참[공식][[Official] BTS Suga misses some awards ceremonies due to ear injury]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
Hong, Hye-min (January 9, 2021). 방탄소년단 슈가 "두 달 휴식, 잊혀질까봐 서둘러 복귀" (2020 골든디스크)[BTS' Suga "Two months off, I'm afraid I'll be forgotten, so I'm back in a hurry" (2020 Golden Disc)] (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022– via Daum.
Hwang, Hye-jin (March 9, 2018). [스타와치]생일맞은 방탄소년단 슈가, 보육원 39곳에 한우 기부한 사연[[Star Watch] BTS' Suga Donates Korean Beef to 39 Orphanages for his Birthday]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
Kim, Nam-hong (March 9, 2019). 방탄소년단 슈가, 한국소아암재단에 성금 1억원 기부[BTS' Suga donates 100 million won to Korea Cancer Foundation]. Financial Today Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
Hwang, Hye-jin (March 9, 2022). "방탄소년단 슈가가 또…산불 피해복구 위해 1억 기부 '꾸준한 선행'[종합]"[BTS Suga again... Donation of 100 million won for forest fire damage recovery ‘Sustainable good deeds’ [General]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved March 9, 2022– via Naver.
"Trivia: Seesaw": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 3, 2018. Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
"Suga's Interlude": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
"Eight": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 11, 2020. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
D-2 songs: "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 29, 2020. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
"Blueberry Eyes": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 28, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
2016년 42주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
"2019년 04주차 Digital Chart"[Week 4 2019 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
"2019년 49주차 Digital Chart"[Week 49 2019 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
"2020년 09주차 Digital Chart"[Week 9 2020 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
"2020년 19주차 Digital Chart"[Week 19 2020 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
"That That": "2022년 20주차 Digital Chart"[Week 20 2022 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
"Intro: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life": "BTS' 50 Best Songs: Critics' Picks". Billboard. June 12, 2018. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
"2016년 10월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
"2017년 07주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
Jeong, An-ji (December 4, 2019). [2019 MAMA] 방탄소년단으로 시작해 방탄소년단으로 끝났다..대상 4개 포함 '9관왕' [종합][[2019 MAMA] Started with BTS and ended with BTS. '9 Awards' with 4 Grand Prizes]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019– via Daum.
‘2020 MAMA’ 방탄소년단, 대상 4개 독식→8관왕… 6시간 넘긴 시상식 대미 장식['2020 MAMA' BTS, 4 Grand Prizes → 8 Crowns... Awards ceremony over 6 hours]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). December 6, 2020. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
Lee, Yi-eun (December 2, 2017). 방탄소년단 슈가·수란, 핫 트렌드 상 수상[BTS Suga and Suran Win Hot Trend Award]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 18, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
MMA 2022 – 부문별 투표 – 올해의 베스트송[MMA 2022 – Category Voting – Song of the Year]. Melon.com (in Korean). Retrieved November 4, 2022. (Note: Click on tab labelled "부문별 투표" to view open categories then on subheading labelled "올해의 베스트송" to view Song of the Year nominees.)
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