When BTS debuted in 2013, they were just a bunch of eager teens ready to prove themselves. But instead of following the traditional K-pop rulebook, they seemed to toss it out the window entirely—and somehow, it worked. As someone in marketing, I can’t help but admire their rebellious streak. There’s an old saying: If you want to be like everyone else, do what everyone else is doing. But if you want to stand out? Do what no one else dares to do.
BTS has always been fiercely protective of their personal lives, choosing instead to share the depths of their professional journey with the world. Over the past decade, their career has been chronicled through numerous documentaries and films, each shedding light on their evolution as artists. So, with so much already out there, what more is there to tell? Apparently, a lot. And in a refreshingly new way.
There’s this lingering idea in the world of music—especially in K-pop—that if you’re not at least co-writing or co-producing your songs, then you’re not really an artist. You’re a poser. A puppet. Just another pretty face with a mic. This belief is one of the many reasons why BTS is often held in such high regard. Fans and critics alike point to their deep involvement in their music and creative direction as the key to their monumental success. But is authenticity really the only reason BTS made it so big globally—both commercially and critically?
Published April 17, 2025
Shows & Appearances
10 Things You Missed in Suga's Suchwita (Ep 1-5)
Chris Wallace. Barbara Walters. Charlie Rose. Diane Sawyer. These are some of the best interviewers the world has ever seen.
Their ability to motivate people to open up and share sides of themselves rarely, if ever, seen by others is unparalleled. In Korea, there are some celebrities who can, if you listen to them closely, match their level of sincere inquisition.
However, most talk shows in Korea come in a variety-comedy format and are usually hosted by a group. Shows like Knowing Brothers and Strong Heart are examples of this.
Knowing Brothers
Strong Heart
The closest to a serious interview format show Korea has right now is Yoo Quiz On The Block.
Yoo Quiz On The Block.
There are newer ones popping up including Red Carpet with Lee Hyori, Lee Mujin Service, Suchwita, and many more. Majority of these shows offer something different, either in format or in approach.
For Suga’s Suchwita, it is the latter. The show’s format is simple. It’s two or three people talking.
BTS' SUGA poses with TXT's Yeonjun and Taehyun in a still from Suchwita episode 8. (Image via Twitter/ @bts_bighit)
The uniqueness lies in Suga’s approach. It feels like Suga is discovering things about himself while he discovers things about his guest, finding common ground to strengthen or start a friendship. The result is an incredibly sincere conversation you really won’t find anywhere else. While others are great interviewers, Suga is simply a curious man looking for or nurturing connections.
The result is some of the most insightful and beautiful moments that could ever happen in a conversation between artists. And here are 10 of them.
ONE OF SUGA’S and RMS’ MOST VULNERABLE MOMENTS
It happened in the first episode, with RM no less.
BTS has said time and again how much they love each other, how committed they are to the group and to ARMY, and how much they intend to come back together as a team.
But they are still 7 different people who are growing, and growth can be difficult sometimes. When the pandemic spoiled their plans, they essentially had to start doing their solo activities without going on a tour. There is always a possibility they will find each other in different places, with different priorities.
When RM and Suga started talking about coming back to rehearse for RUN BTS for their Busan concert and experiencing the same amount of passion and commitment from everyone, Suga expressed some relief, saying, “Ah, we’re all still on the same page with this.” RM added, “This is BTS. Our thoughts are aligned.”
It felt like, as they were once described—something they all agreed with—a married couple confirming that they still want to be in this family.
A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ASK
Perhaps it’s the close relationship between RM and Suga that gave Suga the courage—and maybe the awareness—to ask the question usually only spoken about in the darker corners of social media, where haters and doubters hang out.
Is RM worried about the charts with his album, Indigo?
RM was honest. Of course, he is, but he consciously pulled himself away from it by focusing on what he knew he wanted more: to release a song that people will listen to, that people will add to their playlists.
RM has always been the kind of songwriter who wanted to deliver a message and make a personal impact. That’s what has set BTS’ songs apart from others. While he doesn’t deny that BTS’ success has widened his horizon, his ability to focus on his core has allowed him to push away the superficial.
WHERE DO YOU FIND THE GUTS?
He asked what may be considered a bolder question in Episode 2 to Shin Dong Yeob.
Shin Dong Yeob is one of the most established comedians and MCs in Korea, and very much Suga’s senior in the industry. Known for his edgy jokes, Yeob dares to cross boundaries that very few comedians in Korea do, due to the country’s culture of extreme politeness.
With such a great career but risky process, Suga asked something that might be considered confrontational in Korea—where do you find the guts?
Yeob gave a simple but profound explanation. He has spent 40 years of his career moving closer to the line others don’t cross. People know him for that now. Each time he dares to push the line or threatens to cross it, people enjoy the thrill because they know, as much as he dares it, he will never cross it.
He likened it to an acrobat—people watch them perform, knowing the dangers, but they enjoy the thrill of the extreme. As long as they don’t fall or hit the ceiling, people will continue to enjoy the spectacle because that’s what they came for.
When people tune in to watch him, they know what they’re going to get and are watching because they want exactly that.
MUSIC IS A TIME MACHINE
Suga’s interview with Shin Dong Yeob is probably one of the most insightful he has ever done in the first season of Suchwita. I’ve always thought that a comedian’s intelligence and wisdom are often underestimated. Suga managed to highlight this side of Yeob by simply positioning him as a genius in comedy and wise in his career.
Suga asked the comedian if he worries about being irrelevant and forced into retirement, wondering if someday fans might lose interest in him.
Sin Dong Yeob described how other older artists are making comebacks, like New Kids On The Block, with their fans returning as well. He believes that’s because music has the power to transport people back in time, making them remember the kind of people they once were and the life they once had.
ARTIST TO ARTIST
While some ARMYs may beef with VIPs, Suga and Taeyang are becoming friends. Suga’s interview with Taeyang showed a unique connection.
Big Bang is one of the biggest boy bands Korea has ever known and can relate to some of the experiences BTS went through.
When Suga asked Taeyang, of all the great performances they’ve delivered, what his favorite performance was, I was pleasantly surprised. Of all the interviews Taeyang has done, I’ve never heard anyone ask him that. It allowed Taeyang to walk down memory lane and shed light on it before a much younger audience—BTS fans, the ARMY.
It felt like Suga was bridging the gap between one of his influences and ARMYs.
SUGA IS A FAN OF BTS
In one of J-Hope’s Weverse Lives before enlisting, he told ARMYs that he loves BTS. He knows that ARMYs love BTS too, but he’s sure that if ARMY were to compete with him on who loves BTS more, he wouldn’t lose easily.
Other members have expressed the same sentiment in different ways, and it was nice to hear it from Suga this time. As he asked Taeyang for advice on how he can do better as a solo artist, Taeyang brought it back to his group, BigBang. He said that whatever he does needs to help BigBang. His team is the most important, and that keeps him grounded.
Suga then expressed some relief, confirming he feels the same. He loves his team. He’s a part of it, but he is also a fan of his team.
It’s an important part of any lasting relationship—to not lose admiration for your partner, to keep the respect and awe, even through the familiarity.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REJECTION
Anyone in Hollywood who has experienced success will tell you how intoxicating it can be. It doesn’t have to be Hollywood—anyone in a position of power can attest to the fact that being surrounded by people who are there to make you happy can lead to a sense of intoxication.
When Suga asked Taeyang about feeling empty after the lights dim and ARMYs leave the venue, Taeyang shared that he doesn’t feel that emptiness but admits he knows he needs to become star—being Yongbae, his real name, and stop being Taeyang. And he does that by surrounding himself with people who care for him enough to stop treating him like Taeyang.
I guess that’s why home is important. That’s why family is important for us. We live in different worlds, serving different purposes for different people and places. It’s tempting to stay where we feel the most important, but it’s family—biological or chosen—that makes us realize who we are under the titles. The journey from work to home is when we can transition from being our professional selves to just being an ordinary human being, loved and capable of love.
HOW DO YOU DO IT
Suga has always said he wished they had a senior to turn to when they were lost in the success of their careers. So when Hoshi came on his show, I had a feeling it was his way of reaching out, being the person he couldn’t have had back then.
It was noticeable how he made an effort to make Hoshi feel comfortable, looking for commonalities—including how they both had to share a room with the whole group pre-debut and even share underwear.
But one thing I hope people noticed was how Suga highlighted Hoshi’s leadership skills. He emphasized how Hoshi is the dance leader, just like J-Hope. But Hoshi leads 12 other members in his group. He asked Hoshi how he does it. Again, it seemed like a simple question, but listen closely, and you’ll understand the depth of what Suga was asking. A group known for their synchronicity is led by this man who had no formal dance training until he started training with Seventeen.
SOMEONE ELSE’S FUTURE IN HIS HAND
I personally think Suga has what it takes to manage a group. When many in Big Hit were doubting Jimin, he insisted Jimin had to debut. When no one believed in El Capitxn, he did. And he confirmed to Hoshi that had he been the one to decide Seventeen’s final lineup, Hoshi would have been his first choice—even though Hoshi didn’t have formal dance training before becoming a trainee.
Yet, when Hoshi asked Suga if he plans to produce a group, Suga said he didn’t want the future of young people in his hands. He also recognized that being on the other side, managers, executives, and producers get a lot of flak for making tough but necessary decisions. He doesn’t want that.
While I still hope Suga decides to produce a group in the future, I also realize just how incredibly sensitive and analytical he is—understanding the catch-22 that producers face.
INSPIRING HIS INSPIRATION
Suga is so generous with praise, and Jimin is right—getting praised makes people gentler, happier, and kinder.
When Tablo said that Suga, especially when feeling down, often texts him saying he’s listening to Epik High’s music, Tablo shared that for a group that doesn’t get as much limelight as they used to, hearing this makes him realize that he continues to accomplish what he set out to do with his music: inspire others.
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REWIND
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When you listen to BTS’s music, you might notice something interesting—the rapline’s sound feels distinct and well-established compared to the vocal line. Some fans even describe their music as having a more “certain” or “defined” identity. But why is that?
RM’s documentary RPWP is a fascinating deep dive into his journey as an artist, both as part of BTS and on his own. After watching it, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much it reveals—not just about him, but about BTS, K-pop, and even life in general. Here are ten things that stood out to me.