Suga (BTS)

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Who is Suga (BTS)?

Min Yoon-gi (Korean: 민윤기), professionally known as Suga (슈가) and Agust D, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame as a member of BTS, debuting in June 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. Suga released his first solo mixtape, Agust D, in 2016, which was later re-released in 2018, reaching number three on Billboard’s World Albums Chart. His second mixtape, D-2, debuted in 2020, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, number seven on the UK Albums Chart, and number two on Australia’s ARIA Album Chart.

In 2023, Suga released his debut solo album, D-Day, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, matching BTS bandmate Jimin’s achievement as the highest-charting South Korean solo artist. A full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association, Suga has songwriting and production credits for over 160 songs, including Suran’s “Wine”, which reached number two on the Gaon Music Chart and won Best R&B at the 2017 Melon Music Awards.

Quick Details

Stage NameSuga (슈가)
Full NameMin Yoon Gi (민윤기); 閔玧其 (Hanja)
Also known asAgust D; Min Yungi; Min Yun’gi; Syuga
Date of birthMarch 9, 1993
Birth PlaceBuk District, Daegu, South Korea
Zodiac SignPisces
GenderMale
BirthdayMarch 9
Age31
Height174 cm (5’8.5″)
Weight59 kg (130 lbs)
EducationGlobal Cyber University – Liberal Arts Major (bachelor)
HobbiesTaking photos, avoiding having to do work, playing games, and reading comics.
ProfessionRapper, Songwriter, Record producer
Years active2010–present
GenresHip-hop, K-pop, R&B
InstrumentVocals
Member ofBTS (방탄소년단)
LabelsBig Hit
Honours Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit (2018)

Early Life & Education

Min Yoon-gi was born on March 9, 1993, in Daegu, South Korea. The younger of two sons, he attended Taejeon Elementary School, Gwaneum Middle School, and Apgujeong High School. He is of the Yeoheung Min clan.

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.

Career

Suga developed an interest in rap after hearing “Ragga Muffin” by Stony Skunk, which he described as unlike anything he’d ever heard. Inspired by Epik High, he decided to pursue rap. By 13, he began writing lyrics and learning MIDI. At 17, he took a part-time job at a record studio, where he started composing, arranging music, rapping, and performing. Before his official debut, he was known as Gloss, an underground rapper. In 2010, as part of the hip hop crew D-Town, he produced “518-062,” a song honoring the Gwangju Uprising.

Suga initially joined Big Hit Entertainment as a music producer and trained for three years alongside J-Hope and RM. He debuted as a member of BTS on M Countdown with their track “No More Dream” from their debut album 2 Cool 4 Skool. Suga has since produced and written lyrics for numerous BTS tracks.

BTS (방탄소년단) Photo

He contributed the intro track “Intro: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life” for BTS’ The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 (2015), which used a sports metaphor to explore the fears of transitioning into adulthood. In the following EP, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2, he performed “Intro: Never Mind,” reflecting on his teenage years. This track also appeared on the 2016 compilation The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever. His next intro, “Interlude: Shadow,” from Map of the Soul: 7 (2020), explored the complexities of fame and self-perception.

Suga has also released solo tracks under BTS’ name. “First Love” from Wings (2016) is an autobiographical rap about his childhood piano, while “Trivia: Seesaw” from Love Yourself: Answer (2018) addresses the ups and downs of love.

In 2018, Suga was awarded the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit by President Moon Jae-in for promoting Korean culture. In 2021, he was appointed Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, joining his bandmates to help lead global efforts for future generations and strengthen South Korea’s international presence.

Suga released his first self-titled mixtape for free on SoundCloud in August 2016, opting against a commercial release to maintain a raw, unfiltered style. The mixtape delves into his struggles with depression and social phobia, earning recognition as one of the top 20 mixtapes of 2016. In 2017, he composed “Wine” for Suran, which topped the Gaon Digital Chart and won Best R&B at the Melon Music Awards. Suga’s mixtape was later re-released in 2018, reaching high chart positions internationally.

In 2019, Suga contributed to several collaborations, including Lee So-ra’s “Song Request,” which charted well, and produced “Eternal Sunshine” for Epik High. He also co-wrote and produced “We Don’t Talk Together” for Heize. His 2020 collaboration with IU, “Eight,” debuted at number one on multiple charts, and his second mixtape, D-2, produced the successful single “Daechwita,” which charted on the US Billboard Hot 100. D-2 became the highest-charting album by a Korean solo artist in the US at the time.

Suga continued to expand his influence, re-composing Samsung’s “Over The Horizon” in 2021 and producing ØMI’s single “You.” He also featured on Juice Wrld’s posthumous track “Girl of My Dreams.” In 2022, he worked with Psy on the song “That That” and launched his YouTube series Suchwita.

In 2023, Suga became the brand ambassador for Valentino and the NBA. His debut solo album D-Day, released under his Agust D alias, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. A documentary Suga: Road to D-Day followed its release. Suga’s Agust D Tour began the same year, marking his first solo world tour, and his track “The Last” reached over 100 million streams on Spotify in October 2023.

Name

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. He adopted the alias Agust D in 2016 for his mixtape, which is derived from the initials DT for his birthplace, Daegu Town, and “Suga”, spelled backwards.

Influence

In 2017, Suga was ranked the 13th most preferred idol of the year in a survey conducted by Gallup Korea. He ranked seventh in 2018 and ninth in 2019.

Military service

Following revisions made to the Military Service Act in December 2020, all members of BTS were granted an automatic postponement of their mandatory military service in 2021 until the end of 2022. On August 7, 2023, subsequent to the completion of his world tour, Big Hit announced through Weverse that Suga had applied for the termination of his postponement in order to begin the enlistment process and carry out his service. He began his military service on September 22, as a social worker.

Philanthropy and activism

On his 25th birthday, Suga donated beef to 39 orphanages in honor of BTS’ fanbase, ARMY, fulfilling a promise he made in 2014 to share his success with fans by providing them meat. For his 26th birthday, he donated ₩100 million (US$85,811) and 329 BT21 Shooky dolls to the Korea Pediatric Cancer Foundation. In 2020, he donated ₩100 million (US$84,727) to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to aid coronavirus relief efforts in Daegu, his hometown. The following year, Suga made another ₩100 million donation (US$87,416) to Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital in Daegu, supporting child cancer patients facing financial hardships.

On his 29th birthday in 2022, Suga donated ₩100 million (US$87,416) to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to assist victims of wildfires in eastern South Korea. In 2023, he made a similar donation of ₩100 million (US$87,416) to Save the Children Korea, supporting children in southern Turkey and northern Syria with essentials like blankets, mattresses, and school supplies.

Suga has been open about his struggles with mental health, using his music to share his experiences with depression and encourage open discussions. He has also shown support for the LGBTQ+ community and advocated for equality.

Personal Life

In 2018, Suga purchased a ₩3.4 billion (US$3.09 million) apartment and as of 2019, lives in Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.

Discography

Studio albums

  • D-Day (2023)

Mixtapes

  • Agust D (2016)
  • D-2 (2020)

Awards & Nominations

Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee(s)/work(s)Result
Golden Disc Awards2024Album BonsangD-DayNominated
Billboard Music Awards2023Top K-pop Touring ArtistSugaNominated
Circle Chart Music Awards2023Global Digital Music – April“That That” (with Psy)Nominated
The Fact Music Awards2023Best Music – Summer“Haegeum”Nominated
The Fact Music Awards2023IdolPlus Popularity AwardAgust DNominated
Golden Disc Awards2023Digital Song Bonsang“That That” (with Psy)Won
Grammy Awards2023Album of the Year[c]Music of the SpheresNominated
MAMA Awards2023Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance“People Pt. 2” (featuring IU)Won
MAMA Awards2023Album of the YearD-DayLonglisted
MAMA Awards2023Song of the Year“People Pt. 2” (featuring IU)Longlisted
Melon Music Awards2023Millions Top 10D-DayNominated
Melon Music Awards2023Top 10 Artist AwardSugaNominated
Seoul Music Awards2023Fan Choice of the Year – AprilSugaNominated
MAMA Awards2022Best Collaboration“That That” (with Psy)Won
MAMA Awards2022Best Dance Performance – Solo“That That” (with Psy)Won
MAMA Awards2022Song of the Year“That That” (with Psy)Nominated
Melon Music Awards2022Song of the Year“That That” (with Psy)Nominated
MAMA Awards2020Best Collaboration“Eight” (with IU)Won
MAMA Awards2019Best Collaboration“Song Request” (with Lee Sora)Won
Melon Music Awards2017Hot Trend Award[d]“Wine”Won

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