BTS: Suga Says He Gives ‘People a Choice to See Me as They Want’

On Dec. 22, 2021, GQ Magazine published detailed interviews with Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook of BTS. In his interview with the magazine, Suga discussed his different alter egos and music-making process, saying that he gives “people the choice to see me as they want.”

Suga of BTS has three different names when it comes to music

Born Min Yoon-gi, the rapper is known in BTS as Suga. He also releases music as a soloist under the name Agust D. When Suga produces tracks for other artists, he is credited as “BY SUGA.”

Speaking with GQ Magazine, Suga shared how he balances the three different personas and music-making styles.

“All three are me. They each take up a third of myself, and one isn’t more reflective of me than another. I simply give people a choice. These three sides of myself are incredibly different, so I’m giving people a choice to see me as they want,” he told GQ Magazine.

The BTS rapper went on to say that he tries to “love” music “less” so that he can continue to work as an artist.

“It’s possible only if you don’t like it too much. If you like something too much, it’s difficult to carry on for a long time. I used to like music too much. I loved it so much that I tried to like it less. I’m still trying to love it less,” he said.

How the rapper makes music

When pressed, Suga went into more detail about how he makes music while keeping a distance from it.

Suga told GQ Magazine:

“I don’t listen to music unless I’m working on my own music. I keep it as far from me as possible. I seek music only when I need it. If you love something too much, there comes a time when you have to give it up for that very reason. You need to keep it at a certain distance if you want to pursue it for a long time and if you don’t want to be consumed by it. If you give it too much meaning, it becomes very difficult to continue.”

Suga admitted to GQ Magazine that he began thinking of music in this way “about five years ago.”

“I think it was the right move. I can let it flow naturally and not try too hard. After all, even if I get stuck while working on a track, we’re a team, so there’s always someone who can tie up the loose ends,” the BTS rapper said.

He continued, “In a way, it means I’ve come to rely on the members a lot. Of course, I still have a sense of responsibility, but it’s nice to know that there are people who will catch me if I make a mistake.”

Suga thinks BTS have a ‘strength’

During his interview with GQ Magazine, Suga shared that because BTS take a while to process how people perceive them, they have a “strength.”

“We’re always three years behind in our ability to take in people’s responses. We have no idea what people are thinking at the time. In a way, that’s our strength, but it does mean we’re still awkward and embarrassed by the praise we receive. We’re thinking, ‘But we’re not on that level…’ And I still get both excited and nervous about performing on stage,” said the BTS rapper.