WEEK 56 | It’s Gonna Be Alright.

January 27-February 2, 2025

Closure.

 

From the moment he decided he wanted to be a Rapper, Min Yoongi began fighting to prove himself—whether it was to his parents, fellow musicians, or even himself—he was determined to make his mark on the world and show everyone exactly what he was capable of.

SUGA in IU’s Palette

This drive to show his talent and passion only increased once he was signed to Big Hit and became a part of BTS. When they learned that he was debuting as an Idol, many of his former peers in the underground rap scene accused him of selling out and giving up on “real” rap. Music and variety shows looked down on BTS because they weren’t a part of one of the “Big Three” entertainment companies. The group was often overlooked for spots on these shows as a result. Their Debut showcase only happened when it did because another group had cancelled, and BTS happened to be at the studio when they did.


Over the years, SUGA has poured his feelings of anger and frustration into writing his music—in BTS and on his solo albums. Both Agust D and D-2 are chock full of aggressive anger. They’re written at completely different times in SUGA’s life and career, yet in some ways the two mixtapes very much seem like “Same shit, different year.”


By the time Yoongi was well into the creation process for D-DAY, his third solo project, and first studio solo album, he’d been debuted for nearly ten years. He and BTS had faced a multitude of opposition from so many different places, and yet they’d overcome it at every single turn. Personally, SUGA had learned from all the obstacles placed in his path, and turned them into lessons for moving forward toward the future.


As he was entering his thirties, Yoongi found himself reflecting less on what the world could offer him, and more on what he could offer the world. The anger he’d felt so strongly in his youth gave way to quiet acceptance. His determination became no longer driven by pride and anger, but rather by acceptance, gratitude, and love.


The “AGUST D Trilogy” is indeed a journey through the rollercoaster of growing up. Youthful anger to clever contempt, then finally to quiet acceptance. When new listeners first discover SUGA/AGUST D, the comments usually revolve around his aggressive style and his blistering, unforgiving lyrics. Agust D and D-2 grab us by the shoulders and shake us, force us to pay attention. And at the outset, D-DAY seems like it will be the same. It comes in fast and hard, hurtling us down a familiar path. But as the album progresses, it becomes increasingly obvious that Yoongi not only found his dreams again, but that he wanted to help others do the same.

The members of BTS have said many times, that while they had senior artists to look up to and learn from in the K-Pop community, when it came to infiltrating the western music market, they didn’t have anyone they could go to for advice or for a roadmap to follow of what to do next. Because no one else had ever done it to the level that they had before. And so, they had to make the best of it, and figure it out for themselves,

This is the crux of what eventually becomes D-DAY. It’s the culmination of the lessons learned by Yoongi over the first decade of his career—his journey from anger and uncertainty to acceptance and love—and his desire to begin the next chapter of his life sharing the fruits of those lessons. To continue blazing new trails and making the journey easier for those coming along behind him.


 
 
 
 

Skip to Content: Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five

 

DAY ONE:


SUGA has told us on numerous occasions that if we want to get to know him, we just have to get to know his lyrics. And it’s true, his story is all there, woven into a tapestry that drapes over all of his albums. And even though he makes it nearly impossible for someone to take a look and not understand what he’s all about, it still happens… all too frequently.


Given the level of fame and celebrity he has reached with BTS around the world, it isn’t surprising that so many out there seem to willfully misunderstand Yoongi. Enter “HUH?! (feat. j-hope)”, the next song on our discussion list from D-DAY.

 

“HUH?! ft. j-hope” is sung by these two!


What the shit, do you know about me?

What the shit, do you know about me?

What the shit, do you know about me?

F*** that shit, you think you know ’bout me (all me)

Every shit is your wannabe life






“People Part 2”

The lyrics tell us that most who claim to “know” what SUGA is about, actually have no grasp on who he really is as either an artist or a human being. Those who make assumptions based on surface-level knowledge are just “wannabes” who don’t appreciate him, or the art he creates. They are fake, more concerned with the life they’ve created on social media, than they are in uncomfortable truths and raw, honest vulnerability.

The following song, “SDL”, which is an acronym for “Somebody Does Love”, keeps us thinking about that vulnerability. As D-DAY opens, we are given an immediate drop into very heavy, intense feelings. It’s a lot of trauma we have to wade through. And even though he’s frustrated because so many out there perpetuate a false narrative about him and his career, he also cares deeply for those who put themselves out there while trying to understand.

Somebody does love

But, I’m thinking ’bout you

Somebody does love

Somebody does love

But, I’m thinking ’bout you, you oh

I’m thinking ’bout you

“SDL” was meant to be a transitionary song. One that could ease listeners from the heavier part of the album, into the next which gives way to the love and acceptance SUGA has for himself, and for those who really want to get to know the truth about him, and themselves.

 

“HUH?!” (Feat. j-hope) Fancam D-Day Tour


 
 

Fun Fact:

Could there be anything better than the combination of Halsey, SUGA, an epic video game franchise, and a scorchingly-hot and sexy song?

I posit that there is not. When Halsey was approached with the request to create an anthem for the newest addition to the “Diablo” franchise, “Diablo IV”, she went above and beyond with delivering on that—by inviting SUGA to make the song with her.

The result, “Lilith” is a three minute examination of the depths of self-loathing, rage, and hard-fought determination. It’s uncomfortable, but mesmerizing. I dare you to try and look away…

  1. "LILITH (DIABLO IV ANTHEM)" HALSEY (FEAT SUGA) | TEASER (0:19)

  2. "LILITH (DIABLO IV ANTHEM)" HALSEY (FEAT SUGA) | OFFICIAL M/V (3:01)

  3. "LILITH (DIABLO IV ANTHEM)" HALSEY (FEAT SUGA) | BEHIND THE SCENES (4:51)

  4. "LILITH (DIABLO IV ANTHEM)" HALSEY (FEAT SUGA) | COLOR CODED LYRICS (3:01)

  5. "LILITH (DIABLO IV ANTHEM)" HALSEY PERFORMANCE | THE GAME AWARDS (1:50)

 
 

DAY TWO:


 

The pre-release track for D-DAY was “People Pt. 2 (Feat. IU)”. The song was originally worked on during the early days of the Pandemic in 2020 while AGUST D was wrapping up D-2. It had a different name at first, but as Yoongi played around with it more, he realized that it related very closely to a song that he had already earmarked for D-2: “People”. Both songs deal with loneliness and how one relates to the world and everyone around, so years later, when he pulled the song off of the shelf for D-DAY, Yoongi knew it needed to be “People Pt. 2”.

IU & SUGA IU’s Palette


The lyrics describe wanting closeness and love, but instead feeling lonely and removed from everything. At the end of the M/V, Yoongi said very plainly that this song was a reflection of how he felt during the Pandemic. He missed his fans, and being able to connect, and it left him feeling incredibly lonely and out of touch.

A kid who wasn’t loved enough
made to grow into someone so cautious
For me, I want a serious and sincere relationship

You know, “forever” is a sandcastle
Even by gentle waves, it just collapses helplessly
What is it about loss that makes it so sad
It’s actually the fear of loss that is sad


This feeling is bolstered not only by IU’s stunning vocals on the chorus, but AGUST D’s as well. In a rare move for him, Yoongi decided to rap AND sing on the track, and the result is a beautiful blend of sweet and melancholy.

To say that it was not what fans were expecting from the pre-release single for D-DAY would be an understatement. I think ARMY was mostly expecting a continuation of “Daechwita”, but “People Pt. 2 couldn’t have been more different. While the song is quite sad in some parts it’s also the hug in the middle of the album I didn’t know I needed until I got it.

 

“People Pt. 2” (Feat. IU) Official M/V

 
 
 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: Which is worse: loss or the anticipation of loss?

 
 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 

DAY THREE:


I’m convinced that no one can write an album that sounds so different from its predecessors but still feels achingly familiar at the same time like Min Yoongi can. He often drifts back to the same themes within his music but always finds new and interesting ways to do so.


Take, for instance, the song “Polar Night”. It opens with the question of whether we are perceiving the world correctly amidst a barrage of lies. The topic is reminiscent of “Strange (Feat. RM) from D-2, but sonically it’s completely different.



The opposite of justice is another justice

You already know, there’s no such thing as a good intention
Unconcerned about the fact
and killing anyone not on the same side is what today’s justice is
Left and right, black and white, at the end of this scripted play,
the audience rips each other apart and draws blood


It’s not the first time SUGA has lambasted social media and it likely won’t be the last. While he appreciates the way it lets people stay in touch with their loved ones, he isn’t fond of how it can also shape our world view so drastically, affect our sense of self worth, and cause us to quickly judge that which we do not understand.

I don’t often find myself moved to talk about instrumental interludes on albums, but in the case of “Interlude: Dawn”, the next track on D-DAY, I’ll make an exception. As soon as the first piercing note of the electric guitar comes in, you know this isn’t going to be a throwaway padded track, but rather a proper emotional rollercoaster, despite the lack of lyrics.

I find myself imagining the end of an epic fantasy or sci-fi movie… as the instrumental builds—the guitar getting louder and its notes dragging out—the drums come in next, and echo the pounding of my heart. It’s the climatic scene when the hero finally makes his or her move toward the resolution that will wrap up the story of the film for better or for worse. So too does it feel like “Interlude: Dawn” is the turning point on this album. It feels like a moment of revelation—when AGUST D has decided to seize an opportunity and move forward with it, even if we don’t know what the outcome is yet.

 
 

“Polar Night” Fancam | D-DAY Tour - NY

 
 

Fun Fact

“Road to D-Day” and D-DAY Tour VLOGS.

If you are one of the unlucky people, like myself, who didn’t actually get to see the D-DAY TOUR live, then we can be grateful together that Min Yoongi decided to film a METRIC FUCK TON of extra content surrounding the tour.

Check out highlights (and purchasing options) for SUGA’s “Road to D-Day” documentary that he filmed while traveling and working on the D-DAY album. And then enjoy all the VLOGS he recorded on each stop of the tour, including shenanigans he got up to in different cities in his off time. And lastly, we have the Bangtan Episodes that were filmed around certain tour dates, such as “The Final in Seoul”.

Enjoy!

  1. SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY' | MOOD TEASER (0:36)

  2. SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY' | OFFICIAL TRAILER (1:27)

  3. SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY D-DAY | DISNEY+ TRAILER (1:40)

  4. SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY' | OFFICIAL TRAILER 2 (1:25)

  5. SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY' | HIGHLIGHT (3:30)

  6. SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY | WEVERSE SHOP

  7. SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY | DISNEY+

  8. EPISODE: SUGA | AGUST D TOUR 'D-DAY' IN THE USA (30:07)

  9. SUGA VLOG: D-DAY TOUR IN CHICAGO (10:35)

  10. EPISODE: SUGA | AGUST D TOUR 'D-DAY' IN ASIA (27:54)

  11. SUGA VLOG: D-DAY TOUR IN JAKARTA (12:41)

  12. SUGA VLOG: D-DAY TOUR IN PHUKET (8:29)

  13. EPISODE: SUGA | AGUST D TOUR 'D-DAY' IN SEOUL (19:16)

  14. EPISODE: SUGA | AGUST D TOUR 'D-DAY' THE FINAL (24:41)

 

DAY FOUR:


 

“Snooze” Live Stage Mix

The title of the next track, “Snooze”, means “a light sleep”. A nap is something that’s meant to refresh us, and give us strength to face the rest of our day. When Yoongi was working on this song, he wanted to collect all the things he wanted to say to aspiring artists and musicians—to give them strength to face the difficult road ahead. And it also brings us back to his favorite songwriting topic: dreams.

If you’re afraid of falling, I’ll gladly catch you

So don’t suffer like I did

You, surviving on snoozes to get closer to your dream, it’s okay to rest 

Today at least, don’t even dream


Yoongi selected two artists to feature on “Snooze” with him, both of whom he respected in completely different ways. First was Japanese pianist/composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. Yoongi actually visited Sakamoto to talk about the song and work with him while filming his “Road to D-Day” documentary. The composer had been ill with cancer for quite awhile, and sadly lost his battle not too long after Yoongi’s visit, the piano part for “Snooze” being one of the last things he ever recorded. Yoongi said that Sakamoto’s music always made him happy when he was growing up, so as he sat writing this song while in the hospital on an IV drip, he thought to himself, “Why don’t I just see if Mr. Sakamoto will do a feature for me?”

Next up was Woosung, lead singer of Korean rock band, The Rose. Known for the husky tone in his beautiful vocal range, Woosung immediately connected with the song after he received the rap verses that had already been written. He said the message of support for dreams and taking care of mental health was one that his band always tried to incorporate into their music as well. Therefore, he worked tirelessly to write a chorus that would flow with the rest of the song and genuinely add to the message.

 

When the flowers wither and fall,
I will envelop those falling petals in my hands, good night
When the fog clears and scatters away,
I will leave, bye

Blooming dream

The song has such a simple theme, but that is a large part of its beauty. The members of BTS didn’t have anyone to look up to or ask advice from as they got bigger and bigger in western music markets and began selling out stadium tours around the globe. They had to figure it out on their own, and set the precedence for what (or who) was going to come next.


This song is meant to encourage those next up and coming artists—the ones who are struggling with the challenges of pursuing their dreams. Woosung’s chorus acknowledges the inevitable pain that many will go through, because the path to success is never easy, but also the importance of the love you get from the people around you. The support they can offer is a reminder that we’re not alone in this world, no matter what.

 
 

Fun Fact:

Yoongi’s Weverse Lives 2021-2023


Can you think of a better time than just sitting in awkward silence while a slightly disapproving Min Yoongi stares into your soul through the camera… often while rolling his tongue around in his open mouth, or (if we’ve been VERY good) while making a rumbly little purring noise in his chest?

No? Yeah, me either.


  1. 210309 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME | WE-LIVE (57:19)

  2. 210719 I'M IN THE STUDIO~ | WE-LIVE (25:20)

  3. 211129 END OF THE 2ND CONCERT | WE-LIVE (32:43)

  4. 220301 HAIR GREW A LOT | WE-LIVE (30:42)

  5. 220308 IT'S MY BIRTHDAY | WE-LIVE (55:43)

  6. 220504 THAT THAT | WE-LIVE (26:29)

  7. 220824 HMMM | WE-LIVE (47:27)

  8. 230214 VALENTINE'S DAY -AGUSTD WORLD TOUR | WE-LIVE (37:58)

  9. 230308 IT'S MY BIRTHDAY ~IT'S MY BIRTHDAY~ | WE-LIVE (45:44)

  10. JIMIN'S REACTION TO SUGA'S BIRTHDAY LIVE | WE-LIVE (1:49)

  11. 230507 CHICAGO, END!! | WE-LIVE (19:02)

  12. 230518 LET'S SAY HELLO NOT BYE (1/2) | WE-LIVE (5:31)

  13. 230518 HELLO INSTEAD BYE 2 (2/2) | WE-LIVE (7:09)

  14. 230611 LAST NIGHT OF BANGKOK | WE-LIVE (36:15)

  15. 230618 END OF INTERNATIONAL TOURS! (1/2) | WE-LIVE (2:54)

  16. 230618 END OF INTERNATIONAL TOURS!! (2/2) | WE-LIVE (8:57)

  17. 230806 THE END  | WE-LIVE (9:32)

  18. 230917 LONG TIME NO SEE | WE-LIVE (20:02)

 
 

DAY FIVE:


I’ve mentioned in the blog before that the “Life Goes On” we got on BTS’ BE album in November of 2020, was not the original version of the song. During a writing camp the group had while filming “In The Soop” that year, we heard snippets of the original, which was written by SUGA and featured more of his rapping. Eventually, while working on it, the group came to the conclusion that the song would sound even better if they were all singing on it, so it was reworked even further in order to accomodate seven voices instead of one.

So, SUGA shelved his version, but didn’t forget about it. When he got deep into working on D-DAY, he remembered the track and pulled it out to dust it off a bit…

Let’s greet each other, not with bye but with hello, 
even if the world does not evolve the way we want
Don’t forget the day we’ll meet again, after counting just a few more nights as we hope

Like the one we have from BTS, the D-DAY version still evokes a feeling of distance and uncertainty. AGUST D reflects on the changes that occur in relationships over time, and the challenges that come along with that. Circumstances, sometimes beyond our control, can lead to people growing apart.

But rather than letting that hold us back from embracing relationships, we should be resilient, and not give up hope or carry grudges. We should focus on learning from the experience and finding ways to reconnect eventually if that’s what we want to do.

Time, like a wave,
will wash away like the ebb tide
But still, don’t forget to come find me


This moment when everyone has paused
The door that looks especially far away today

Life goes on

Life goes on

Life goes on

Life goes on

This moment when everyone has grown apart
The distance between us that is growing larger day by day

Life goes on

Life goes on

Life goes on

Life goes on

And it does. Life, no matter what, will go on. It’s up to us whether we choose to embrace it—complete with all the painful bits as well—or let it pass us by. If we choose the latter, we might spare ourselves some rough times, sure. But we’ll also deny ourselves the beauty of all the other moments as well.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: How much have SUGA’s words impacted your life?

 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 
 

FINAL THOUGHTS:


I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of Yoonguary, my friends. This past month has been rewarding in so many ways as we spent more time getting to know our very own grumpy grandpa, Min Yoongi. I joke, but D-DAY truly is the album that made me dive deep into the BTS fandom, and pick a first bias. SUGA’s words resonate within my soul, whether they’re his song lyrics, or just random pearls of wisdom he doles out while sitting around, eating tangerines. SIGH.

Join us next time for NEW MONTH, NEW MEMBER. If you follow Fan Chant Order like we do, then you know who’s next… stay tuned!

 

 
 

Side Quest

“Suchwita! Suchwita!”

Did I ever think about Min Yoongi having his own chat show on YouTube before 2023? Nope. Sure didn’t. But after it was announced, nothing else could have made more sense to me. 


Previously, (on Yoonguary, lol) we showed you the series of BTS’ radio chat show “BTS Kkul Honey FM”, which SUGA always hosted as DJ SUGA. He remarked several times during the production of the series that he caught the bug and wouldn’t mind hosting a radio show someday. 


He might not have gotten a radio show, but I think “Suchwita” (which means “Drinking with SUGA”) works better for him anyway. A chat show where the guest brings the drinks and then they shoot the shit with each other, chatting about music, life, and anything in between. All of the BTS members have been on the show by now, along with some BTS adjacent friends and collaborators.


SUGA’s main goal in creating the show was so his fellow members would have somewhere to go to talk about their creative process and making their solo albums… which, I’m sorry, if that isn’t the sweetest most, “That’s MY best friend!!!” energy ever, then I don’t know what is.

 

Episode 18 SUGA with V

 
 
 
 

CREDITS:

YouTube/Web

BANGTANTV, HYBE LABELS, bellank18, blurhjun, BTS ARMY BOY♡, BTS LIVE ARCHIVE, BTSphoria, ColbyTwentyOne1, D. Jimin Park, DBOY_SG ( BTS OF SUGA & AGUSTD ), DIABLO, Disney Plus Korea 디즈니 플러스 코리아, Disney+ Singapore, disneydeb1130, Dt sugA, echoxxxxxxxx, elisssa, ENJOY BTS MORE, FW Shorts, girlbhndthelens, GQ KOREA, HALSEY, JAEGUCHI, mar1eru, NINE, PH Company, ShadowByYoongi, So Hyang TV • Fan Channel, suga_rush, tayspiedpiper, thegameawards, WEVERSE, WEVERSE SHOP, Zaty Farhani, 미미⁷

ARMY Project 529 Volunteers

Research Team: Angel (TikTok: Lilangel2828), Leslie Day (TikTok: Leslie Day), Merry (TikTok: merryj67), Sam T (TikTok: samt_26), Shelley (TikTok: shels167), Trudy (TikTok: theeducationmommy), Viv (TikTok: VivEliz); Video Team: Leslie Day (TikTok: Leslie Day), Namz (TikTok: Namz07)

 
 

Join us on TikTok every Sunday evening at 8pm ET for #the529live, a wrap up of each week's “Monday Muster”, thoughtful discussions, and tons of laughter! It’s hosted by AP529 Founder, Stefne, on her channel (@StefARMYProject529). Catch us every Wednesday night at 9pm ET on our project YouTube channel (@ARMYProject529) for #the529tea, when we dish about all the news going on with Bangtan. 

If you can't watch in real time and want to catch up later, Lives are recorded and posted to our YouTube (@ARMY Project 529).



Next
Next

WEEK 55 | The Lotus Flower that Blooms