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BTS Suga’s Setlist: Every Song Performed At His First Concert Of The Agust D Tour

BTS Suga ‘s anticipated SUGA | Agust D ‘D-DAY’ TOUR In US has officially kicked off with his first solo concert in Belmont Park.

Everyone attending the rest of the dates can now properly prepare as we finally know the setlist.

230426 🐱i dont know how many songs i put(in the setlist) 🐱fvckkk well im just doing it pic.twitter.com/EyROr5DgIk — 찜라 (@mandakkoo) April 27, 2023

It’s a total of 23 songs, so get to studying, ARMY! Check them out below.

1. “Haegeum” – Agust D

2. “Daechwita” – Agust D

3. “Agust D” – Agust D

4. “give it to me” – Agust D

5. “Trivia 轉 : Seesaw” – BTS’s Suga (Acoustic Ver.)

6. “SDL” – Agust D

7. “People” – Agust D

8. “People Pt.2 (feat. IU)” – Agust D

9. “Moonlight” – Agust D

10. “Burn It (feat. MAX)” – Agust D

11. “Interlude: Shadow” – BTS’s Suga

12. “BTS Cypher Pt.3: Killer” – BTS’s RM, Suga, J-Hope, and Supreme Boi

13. “BTS Cypher 4” – BTS’s RM, Suga, and J-Hope

14. “UGH!” – BTS’s RM, Suga, and J-Hope

15. “DDAENG” – BTS’s RM, Suga, and J-Hope

16. “HUH?! (feat. j-hope)” – Agust D

17. “Life Goes On” – Agust D

18. “Snooze (feat.  Ryuichi Sakamot, WOOSUNG of The Rose)”  – Agust D

19. “Polar Night” – Agust D

20. “AMYGDALA” – Agust D

21. “D-Day” – Agust D

22. “Intro : Never Mind” – BTS’s Suga

23. “The Last” – Agust D

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BTS's Suga Announces Solo Agust D Tour: "Let's See Each Other Soon"

What a time to be a BTS fan! ARMYs are just now coming down from the excitement of J-Hope and RM's solo-album releases and Jungkook's FIFA World Cup song, " Dreamers ." Now, they have many more BTS solo projects to look forward to. Not only is Jimin gearing up to release his debut solo album in March, but another member has announced some major news: Suga is going on a world tour.

On Valentine's Day, Suga went live on Weverse to preempt the official announcement of his upcoming Agust D tour, saying simply, "I can't say much, but yes . . . let's see each other at the concert. It's late now so I'll be going. Let's see each other soon," according to a translation by @Bora_twts . Suga hadn't even ended his live stream before Big Hit posted Suga's official tour, which will be called the Agust D tour, along with a list of dates and cities, on its official account.

Ahead, learn everything there is to know about Suga's Agust D tour, including how to get tickets.

Suga's Agust D Tour Dates

Suga's Agust D tour will take place from April 26 to June 25, with stops in the US and across Asia, with more dates to come. Check out Suga's Agust D tour dates and cities below.

Suga's Agust D Tour US Leg

• April 26-27 : UBS Arena — Belmont Park, NY
• April 29 : Prudential Center — Newark, NJ
• May 3, 5-6 : Allstate Arena — Rosemont, IL
• May 10-11, 14 : Kia Forum — Los Angeles
• May 16-17 : Oakland Arena — Oakland, CA

Suga's Agust D Tour Asia Leg

• May 26-28 : Indonesia Convention Exhibition — Jakarta, Indonesia
• June 10-11 : Impact Arena — Bangkok, Thailand
• June 17-18 : Singapore Indoor Stadium — Singapore
• June 24-25 : Jamsil Indoor Stadium — Seoul, Korea

Big Hit indicated in its official announcement that more dates in Japan are to come.

How to Buy Suga's Agust D Tour Tickets

All of Suga's Agust D tour tickets will be available during ARMY Member Presale via Ticketmaster's Verified Fan system to curb scalping. Here's everything to know to make sure you get your hands on tickets.

How to Register For Suga's Agust D Tour ARMY Member Presale

Registration for ARMY Member Presale (and General Verified Fan Presale) will be available from Feb. 14 to Feb. 23 at 10 p.m. ET.

To become verified and eligible for the ARMY Member Presale, you must purchase an ARMY membership through HYBE's Weverse Shop (it costs $22 for a one-year subscription), register for the ARMY Member Presale on Weverse, and then register for the Army Member Presale on Ticketmaster . ARMY Member Presale invitations will be sent on the evening of Feb. 28.

If there are any tickets left after the ARMY Member Presale, they will all be available for purchase in the General Verified Fan Presale (for which invitations will be sent out on the evening of March 1). Any remaining tickets will be available in a general sale.

When Do Suga's Agust D Tour Tickets Go on Sale?

• ARMY Member Presale will occur on March 1 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (local venue time).
• General Verified Fan Presale will occur on March 2 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (local venue time).
• Public onsale will open on March 3, beginning at 3 p.m. (local venue time).

Suga's Agust D Tour Ticket Cost

Big Hit has not yet announced any information regarding the cost of Suga's Agust D tour tickets.

Suga's Agust D Tour Set List

Suga has released two solo albums to date, his debut mixtape, "Agust D," which was released in 2016, and his sophomore solo release, "D-2," which was released in 2020. Suga will undoubtedly perform songs from these albums while on tour, likely including his singles "Agust D," "Give It to Me," and "Daechwita."

The only aspect of the set list that is up in the air is whether Suga will release any new music ahead of the tour. Big Hit has not announced any plans for new music from Suga at the moment, however, so only time will tell.

BTS’ Suga to Make History With Upcoming Solo Tour

By Jon Blistein

Jon Blistein

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Suga will become the first BTS member to embark on a solo tour, with a slate of dates scheduled around the world this spring, including a U.S. run. The tour is notably being billed under Suga ’s own name, as well as his other stage moniker, Agust D.

The trek will kick off with two shows at the UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York — outside New York City — on April 26 and 27. Suga will then play one show in Newark, New Jersey, three in Rosemont, Illinois (just outside of Chicago), and three in Los Angeles. The U.S. leg wraps with two gigs in Oakland on May 16 and 17. 

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While all seven members of BTS are exploring solo projects right now (and completing their mandatory military service ), Suga has been ahead of the curve for a few years now. Back in 2016, he released a debut self-titled mixtape as Agust D, then followed that project up in 2020 with another mixtape, D-2 . Suga’s also done a bunch of production work for other artists recently, including Psy , the Japanese singer Ømi, and his BTS bandmate Jung Kook.

Suga Tour Dates Apr 26 – Belmont Park, NY @ UBS Arena Apr 27 – Belmont Park, NY @ UBS Arena Apr 29 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center May 3 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena May 5 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena May 6 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena May 10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum May 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum May 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum May 16 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena May 17 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena

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BTS’ SUGA Announces Global Tour

TOUR MARKS FIRST-EVER SOLO RUN FOR A BTS MEMBER   

Ticketmaster verified fan registration open now here through february 23  , presales begin wednesday, march 1st  .

Today, SUGA of 21st century pop icons BTS announces his first-ever solo international  tour. Produced by HYBE, BIGHIT MUSIC and Live Nation, the tour begins with two nights in Belmont Park, NY at UBS Arena on April 26 & 27 and continues across the U.S. with stops in Newark, Rosemont, and Los Angeles before wrapping up in Oakland, CA with two nights at Oakland Arena on May 16 and 17. The tour then proceeds to Asia in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Japan.  

Information about ticketing for the tour can be found on Weverse . Additional information on U.S. ticketing can be found below. 

TICKETS: Tickets for shows in the U.S. can be purchased through the Ticketmaster Verified Fan platform. Fans can register for the two unique Verified Fan presales HERE now through Thursday, February 23rd at 7PM PT/9PM CT/10PM ET. More information on each presale is below.  

Only fans that have received a unique code will have the chance to purchase tickets for performances on a first come, first served basis. More details available HERE . 

• ARMY MEMBER Presale Powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan: ARMY MEMBERSHIP holders will have the first chance to participate in the ARMY MEMBER Presale Powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan beginning Wednesday, March 1 st .. All tickets will be available during this presale. If tickets sell out during the ARMY MEMBER Presale, there will not be a General Verified Fan presale or public onsale. 
• GENERAL VERIFIED FAN: The General Verified Fan presale (for non-fan club members) will begin Thursday, March 2 nd , pending ticket availability. 

PUBLIC ON SALE: If there are any tickets remaining after the ARMY MEMBER presale and the general verified fan presale, a general onsale will take place Friday, March 3 at 3pm local time at Ticketmaster.com . 

SUGA | AGUST D TOUR DATES:   

Wed Apr 26 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena 

Thu Apr 27 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena 

Sat Apr 29 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center 

Wed May 03 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena 

Fri May 05 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena 

Sat May 06 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena 

Wed May 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum 

Thu May 11 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum 

Sun May 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum 

Tue May 16 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena 

Wed May 17 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena 

Fri May 26 – Jakarta, ID – Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE BSD) Hall 5-6 

Sat May 27 – Jakarta, ID – Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE BSD) Hall 5-6 

Sun May 28 – Jakarta, ID – Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE BSD) Hall 5-6 

Sat June 10 – Bangkok, TH – Impact Arena 

Sun June 10 – Bangkok, TH – Impact Arena 

Sat June 17 – Singapore, SG – Singapore Indoor Stadium 

Sun June 18 – Singapore, SG – Singapore Indoor Stadium 

Sat June 24 – Seoul, KR – Jamsil Indoor Stadium 

Sun June 25 – Seoul, KR – Jamsil Indoor Stadium 

Japan dates to be announced soon 

MORE:  

About SUGA of BTS  

SUGA (Min, Yunki) is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, music producer and member of 21st century pop icons, BTS. SUGA is globally known for his record producing ability with his own solid musical philosophy, constantly pushing the boundaries through his works on BTS albums, solo projects and collaborations with other artists. Since BTS’ 2014 Skool Luv Affair, BTS’ albums include tracks produced by SUGA. Through his mixtapes under Agust D, SUGA also suggested his vision as an artist. He participated as a featured artist in music by international musicians such as Juice WRLD, Max, and So-ra Lee, and he also produced music for globally influential artists including Halsey, PSY, Epik High, ØMI and more. Furthermore, SUGA participated in producing the remix version of Coldplay x BTS’ “My Universe,” an Original Soundtrack for HYBE’s original story 7FATES: CHAKHO called “Stay Live (Prod. SUGA of BTS),” a mobile game OST “Our Island (Prod. SUGA of BTS) [Original Soundtrack],” and Samsung Electronics Galaxy’s official ringtone “Over The Horizon.” 

About BTS  

BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a GRAMMY-nominated South Korean boyband that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and the way they interact with their fans, the band has established themselves as 21st century pop icons breaking countless world records. While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, the band has mobilized millions of fans across the world (named ARMY), collected six No.1 Billboard Hot 100 singles in a span of a year and just over a month, and performed multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world. They were also named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year 2020. BTS are 5-time GRAMMY nominees (63rd to 65th GRAMMY Awards) and have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards like the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards (Artist of the Year 2021) and MTV Video Music Awards.  

About Live Nation Entertainment  

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com . 

MEDIA CONTACTS:  

Live Nation Concerts  

Monique Sowinski | [email protected]  

Valeska Thomas | [email protected]   

HYBE   

Global PR | [email protected]   

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Update: BTS' Suga Announces Dates And Cities For 1st Solo Tour As Agust D

Updated April 5 KST:

BTS ’ Suga has added two new shows to the Asian leg of his upcoming solo tour as Agust D!

Suga will be holding an additional concert in Bangkok on June 9, as well as an additional concert in Singapore on June 16.

Check out his updated list of tour dates below!

Original Article:

BTS’ Suga is heading abroad on his first-ever solo tour!

On February 15 at midnight KST, Suga officially announced his plans for his upcoming solo tour under the name Agust D.

Suga’s tour will kick off in the United States, where he will perform in Belmont Park on April 26 and 27; Newark on April 27; Rosemont on May 3, 5, and 6; Los Angeles on May 10, 11, and 14; and Oakland on May 16 and 17.

He will then return to Asia to perform in Jakarta for three nights from May 26 to 28, in Bangkok on June 10 and 11, and in Singapore on June 17 and 18, before holding two nights of concerts at Seoul’s Jamsil Indoor Stadium on June 24 and 25.

Suga will also be releasing more information about the Japan stops of his tour at a later date.

Are you excited for Suga’s first solo tour?

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Photo: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

Everything We Know About Suga's Debut Solo Album, 'D-Day'

Continuing BTS' solo endeavors in the group's second chapter, Suga takes the wheel with the announcement of his debut studio album under his alias Agust D. Here's all the details we know about 'D-Day.'

It's almost hard to believe that it has already been almost 10 months since BTS rocked the world with the announcement of their hiatus. But that's mostly because the K-pop powerhouses haven't gone completely quiet — and now, it's Suga 's turn on the mic.

As BTS' label, Big Hit Music, announced on April 21, Suga will release his first solo album, D-Day , on April 21. The album will arrive just weeks after his BTS bandmate Jimin released his debut EP, and follows solo projects and performances from j-hope , Jung Kook , Jin and RM . 

Although D-Day marks the first studio album from Suga, his solo discography sees two mixtapes, a feature on MAX's 2020 hit "Blueberry Eyes," and an interlude of Halsey 's double-platinum album Manic . Suga has shown his solo chops within BTS, too, taking lead on "Intro: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life," "First Love," "Trivia: Seesaw," and "Interlude: Shadow."

Fans will get a first taste of what Suga is cooking up with his first studio LP with "People Pt. 2" on April 7. As fans get ready for the latest BTS solo venture, GRAMMY.com has compiled a list of everything we know about Suga's album D-Day .

D-DAY 2023. 4. 21. 1PM (KST) | 0AM (ET) #SUGA #슈가 #AgustD #D_DAY pic.twitter.com/ZRzcfsziad — BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) April 2, 2023

D-Day Arrives April 21

Big Hit Music revealed on April 2 that Suga's debut studio album will be released on April 21. In an announcement post on BTS' Weverse page, D-Day was described as "an intimate portrayal of his life as an artist."

Agust D Makes A Comeback

Working on endeavors outside BTS, Suga commonly uses the alias "Agust D," which was used for his self-titled debut and second mixtape, D-2 . The moniker is an homage to Suga's stage name and his hometown of Daegu, South Korea — also known as "D-Town." Spelled backward, Agust D becomes "D-T Suga." 

Unfortunately for fans of Suga's alter ego, D-Day will be the closing chapter of the rapper's trilogy as Agust D, as Big Hit declared in the Weverse album announcement.

Suga Took Part In Both Songwriting And Producing

Suga has long been one of the masterminds behind BTS' record-breaking songs, first songwriting and producing on the group's first studio album, Dark & Wild . In 2017, Suga expanded his skills outside of BTS, working with Korean vocalist Suran on her track "Wine." In the years since, he has co-written and produced tracks with Juice WRLD, and Psy, as well as his interlude with Halsey and the BTS collab with Coldplay , "My Universe."

With such extensive and impressive credits under his belt, it was no surprise when Big Hit confirmed Suga participated in the songwriting and producing for D-Day .

He Reunites With A Previous Collaborator On The Pre-Release Single

Though the full tracklist for D-Day has yet to surface, Big Hit has revealed the first song from Suga's debut is "People Pt. 2" featuring K-pop superstar IU. The track is the second collaboration between the pair, who initially worked together in 2020 on IU's single, "Eight."

"People Pt. 2," out April 7, is a continuation of Suga's "People" from his 2020 mixtape, D-2 , that discusses the "endless relationships between people and the emotions felt in an Agust D way."

Suga Will Premiere The Music On A Solo Tour

Following the release of D-Day , Suga will embark on an international solo tour beginning April 26 in Belmont Park, New York, credited as both Suga and Agust D. Beyond the United States, Suga will also hit Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Korea.

The tour marks a first within BTS: Though bandmates j-hope, Jung Kook, and Jin performed at Lollapalooza, FIFA World Cup Qatar, and Coldplay's Music of Spheres stop in Argentina, respectively, Suga is the first BTS member to complete a headlining solo tour.

Disney+ Has Plans To Release A Documentary On Suga's Musical Journey

The day before "People Pt. 2" arrived, Disney+ dropped a trailer for a documentary special, SUGA: Road to D-Day , which will hit the streaming platform the same day the album is released. 

According to a press statement, the documentary follows Suga's musical journey across Korea, Japan, and the United States "in search of inspiration in the form of new sounds and experiences." The film also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Suga's lifestyle as a global phenom on tour as a member of one of the most successful musical groups in history.

D-Day Is Available For Pre-Order Now

If you want to be among the first to hear D-Day on April 21, you can pre-order the album now on the BTS Weverse Shop.

Customers who pre-order the album before April 20 will receive one of the special gifts listed on the Weverse website and will be entered into a raffle for an autographed poster or a video call with Suga.

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Stream RM's New Album 'Right Place, Wrong Person': See The Tracklist, "LOST!" Video & Special Guests

The second solo album from BTS' RM further displays his knack for genre-bending experimentation, while also delving deeper into his vulnerable side. Listen to the new album here, and get to know the project's featured artists, tracklist and more.

As the world patiently awaits the return of BTS in full force, each member continues to deliver solo projects to show off their individual talents. And 18 months after his last album, RM is back.

With a discography that hops between pop, R&B, and hip-hop, RM returns to the spotlight with his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person . The project tells the relatable story of an individual who is a creature of habit, but slowly comes to find solace in foreign spaces.

Below, listen to RM's latest album, and discover more about how he's revealing a new side of his artistry with Right Place, Wrong Person .

The Tracklist

After RM's debut solo album, 2022's Indigo, had 10 tracks (including features from the likes of Erykah Badu , Anderson .Paak ), he ups the tally with an 11-song tracklist this time around.

Here is the complete tracklist for Right Place, Wrong Person :

1. Right People, Wrong Place 2. Nuts 3. out of love 4. Domodachi (feat. Little Simz) 5. ? (Interlude) 6. Groin 7. Heaven 8. LOST! 9. Around the world in a day (feat. Moses Sumney) 10. ㅠㅠ (Credit Roll) 11. Come back to me

The Creative Visuals

Two weeks before the album dropped, he unveiled the music video for "Come Back to Me," the lead single from Right Place, Wrong Person . Directed by the critically acclaimed actor Lee Sung Jin, the music video narrates the tale of feeling like an outsider and yearning for a sense of belonging in unfamiliar surroundings.

Then, on the day Right Place, Wrong Person arrived, RM added to release-day excitement with another intriguing visual, this time for "LOST!" The five-minute clip sees RM as the star of "The Lost! Show," where he and a group endure an eerie whirlwind of scenarios they can't seem to get out of. It's equal parts dramatic and slapstick, and another clever display of RM's creative versatility.

Noteworthy Guests

The featured artists on Right Place, Wrong Person — British rapper Little Simz on "Domodachi" and art-pop artist Moses Sumney on "Around the world in a day" — underscore RM's ability to interlace his own musical style with artists from various genres.

The album also has some notable behind-the-scenes collaborators as well. Production credits include Kim Han-joo, keyboardist and vocalist from the South Korean rock band Silica Gel, on "LOST!" and GRAMMY-nominated jazz duo DOMi & JD Beck on "? (Interlude)."

On "Come back to me" — which RM initially debuted last August during a surprise performance at BTS bandmate Suga's encore concert in Seoul — he delves into the album's central theme of wanting to venture into unknown areas, but feeling the intense urge to stay with what's already known. The track was composed and arranged by OHHYUK from the South Korean indie-rock band Hyukoh, but also features credits from artists Kuo, JNKYRD, and San Yawn.

But no matter who RM is working with, his own talent and prowess as a creator always shines. Right Place, Wrong Person presents a diverse array of tracks marked by sheer vulnerability, honesty, and sensitivity — a masterful continuation of a remarkable solo journey.

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J-Hope's Road To 'Hope On The Street Vol.1,' From Falling Back In Love With Dance To Tying Together His Global Influences

After 11 years in BTS, j-hope revisits the passion that started it all: dancing. Ahead of his new docuseries and special album, 'Hope on the Street Vol.1,' discover the full-circle journey that brought him back to his roots.

"Just dance," j-hope commands on his 2018 BTS solo track.

For the international sensation, that's what it's always been about: expressing himself through movement. Now, 11 years after the launch of the seven-piece group, j-hope takes a U-turn to where it all began, before his K-pop idol days, street dancing between his hometown, Gwangju, and Seoul, South Korea.

Out March 29, j-hope's new special album, Hope on the Street Vol.1 , is a musical ode to dancing that boasts a "vibrant collection of six tracks spanning a diverse array of sounds and moods that showcase j-hope's musical prowess and depth." Like j-hope's global perspective of dance, the EP expands borders and sounds, featuring appearances from HYBE labelmate HUH YUNJIN of LE SSERAFIM as well as American stars Nile Rodgers and Benny Blanco .

The mini-album will also be accompanied by a docuseries of the same name, premiering on Amazon Prime Video on March 28. According to a press statement, the six-part project will "highlight j-hope's story and love for dancing as he begins a new journey."

Ahead of Hope on the Street Vol.1 's arrival, take a look at how j-hope's origins inspired the project — from his enrollment in a local dance academy to songwriting with J. Cole on their 2023 single, "on the street."

Finding Purpose In Dance

Long before becoming a global superstar, j-hope (born Jung Ho-seok) first discovered his love for dancing on the playground.

"The school I went to had a dance lesson for 30 minutes in the morning. They would play a dance video, and we would copy it as exercise," j-hope recalled in a 2013 interview for the BTS Japan Fanclub magazine. "My friends around me would praise me, saying, 'You're really good!'"

Eventually, those recess workouts turned into a passion. J-hope began practicing moves at home and freestyling at local talent shows. By the sixth grade, he told his parents he was serious about it, enrolling him in Gwangju's Joy Dance Academy.

While at the Academy, j-hope also joined the underground dance crew, NEURON, building a reputation under the name "Smile Hoya." Though he hasn't participated in the troupe since his pre-BTS days, he still recognizes it as one of the most influential parts of his career.

He'll even honor the crew with Hope on the Street , which includes a track called "NEURON," featuring Gaeko and yoonmirae . He will also return to Gwangju in the closing chapter of the docuseries.

It's not the first time j-hope shouted out Gwangju, either. His 2019 collab with Becky G, "Chicken Noodle Soup," paid tribute to his beloved upbringing: "From Gwangju, one gang of you-know-what/ Geumnam Chungjang Street, that's my Harlem." (The same track also foreshadowed his latest release: "Hope on the street, now it's my own way.")

Forging A New Life In Music With BTS

J-hope continued to have a diligent mindset as a trainee at Big Hit Entertainment. But as revealed in BTS' 2018 docuseries, Burn the Stage , training and dieting became emotionally and physically tolling. At one point, j-hope even considered leaving the group.

"I couldn't do things I wanted to do," he revealed during a 2021 You Quiz on the Block segment . "To be honest, I wanted to play games. I want to go out and hang out. I wanted to stay with my family. I had to give up a lot of things from that perspective."

The stress became so intense that he bought a one-way ticket to Gwangju. But ultimately, the brotherhood and love of music he formed with BTS gave him the courage to return: "I came back because I trusted you," j-hope recounted.

And they trusted him, too: "I told [Big Hit] that we needed Jung Ho-seok. We couldn't debut without him," RM responded. Meanwhile, Jung Kook delivered a tearful speech to encourage him to stay with the band.

The longer he stayed, the more j-hope began to love other sides of music, like producing and songwriting. Now, he has become one of the main writers for the group's tracks, alongside RM and Suga , and has co-penned all of his solo projects, including Hope on the Street .

Spreading His Wings With Two Full-Length Solo Projects

After nearly 10 projects with BTS, j-hope delivered his debut mixtape, Hope World , in March 2018.

"My fantasy had always been making a music video and performing with the music I had created. I wanted to put my own story to music and share it with the world," he told Time magazine upon Hope World ’s release.

It's an introduction to j-hope the artist, inviting listeners to step into Hope World , a colorful kaleidoscope of different cultures and styles — something that has also been a key part of his dance journey.

Though, j-hope still wanted to dig deeper into his artistry. He developed his sound, becoming more vulnerable in his lyricism on tracks like 2020's "Outro: Ego." By 2022, he was ready to drop his first studio album, Jack in the Box .

Where Hope World showcases j-hope's dance performance, Jack in the Box highlights "my artistry in music ." But Hope on the Street paints the full image of the phenom — part musician, part dancer.

Laying The Groundwork With "On The Street," Featuring J. Cole

One of j-hope's earliest musical influences was J. Cole. The rapper inspired j-hope's stage name and the title of his mixtape, which pays homage to 2011's Cole World . In 2022, j-hope honored Cole with "Born Singer," the BTS re-write of Cole's "Born Sinner." So, a celebratory meeting was in order when they were both scheduled to perform at Lollapalooza (where j-hope made history as the first Korean soloist to headline).

"[He's] my idol," j-hope said to Variety in 2023. Since they met, he "couldn't stop thinking about how great it would be if we could make music together." He reached out to J. Cole, and "on the street" was born.

As j-hope told Variety , the "street" concept became a metaphor for life: "The street is a place where people can actually encounter and feel real lives of people: a child's innocent mind; first encounter with someone and falling in love; someone in an urgent moment;" and so much more. It's the place where he learned to love dance — and where he grew a love for music and artists like J. Cole, who called their collab "a blessing" in the behind-the-scenes footage .

And thus, "on the street" became the springboard for his forthcoming project, Hope on the Street .

Unveiling A Docuseries And A Multi-Part Project

By the tail end of 2023, each member of BTS had enlisted in mandatory military service. But even during the septet's hiatus, j-hope managed to serve up a surprise announcement of Hope on the Street on Feb. 17 with a fitting montage of dance videos.

The joint docuseries and album follows j-hope's journey of self-discovery, accompanying his former instructor, Boogaloo Kin, as they dance their way through the streets of Osaka, Seoul, Paris, New York, and his hometown while meeting other dancers.

" Hope on the Street , my roots, the most important part of my life. This is how j-hope danced. I wanted to share this story with you," he said in an interview for the documentary .

After years of breaking records and making history as a member of BTS, it was "a chance to look back on my life," he explained in another trailer . "I realized the answer was in song and dance."

Culminating j-hope's skills in both art forms, Hope on the Street is a love letter to everything that's made him who he is today — and proof he'll never forget it.

6 Takeaways From 'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star'

Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

9 Essential K-Pop/Western Collabs: From BTS And Megan Thee Stallion, To IVE And Saweetie

From Jungkook and Usher's tribute to their shared musical idol, to BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez' sugary sweet collab, K-pop and Western artists of all genres are joining forces to create killer hits.

It’s impossible to ignore the growing global popularity of K-pop. Although Korean pop has been around for decades, the genre's meteoric worldwide success over the past 10 years is reminiscent of Beatlemania and the early 2000s American boy band craze. With a steady increase year-over-year in album sales and K-pop groups touring the U.S. and Europe, interest in K-pop shows no signs of slowing down .

Initially launched in South Korea as a music subgenre with Western pop, R&B and hip-hop influences in the '90s, the K-pop industry is valued at around $10 billion .

Given the worldwide appetite for K-pop, several Western musicians are keen to partner with K-pop acts crossing over into more international markets, often with songs sung partially or entirely in English. While K-pop artists do not need Western artists to be successful — BTS sold out London’s Wembley stadium in under 90 minutes back in 2019, and BLACKPINK made Coachella history twice with performances in 2019 and 2023 — K-pop's massive fanbase and multi-genre influence make it an ideal collaboration for everyone from rappers and singers to electronic DJs.

But don’t take our word for it. Here are nine of the most iconic K-Pop/Western collaborations (not in any order; they are all great songs!).

Usher and Jungkook - "Standing Next to You (Usher Remix)" (2024)

The maknae (the youngest member of the group) of global K-pop superstars BTS and the King of R&B are both having banner years: Jungkook released his debut solo album, and Usher just performed at the Super Bowl . 

The Bangtan Boys have cited Usher as a significant influence (even singing a callback to his 2001 hit "U Got It Bad" in their No. 1 song, "Butter"), so BTS fans were delighted when the Jungkook tapped Usher for a remix of "Standing Next to You." The song marks the fourth single from his Billboard 200 chart-topping debut album, Golden . 

Both singers count Michael Jackson as a major influence. In their collaboration video, Usher and Jungkook pay tribute to the King of Pop as they slide, pop, and lock across the slick floor of an abandoned warehouse. 

John Legend and Wendy of Red Velvet - "Written in the Stars" (2018)

R&B singer/pianist John Legend was the perfect choice for an R&B ballad with Wendy, the main vocalist of K-pop quintet Red Velvet. The final song on the five-track SM Station x 0 , a digital music project, "Written in the Stars," is a beautiful, mid-tempo love song. A bit of a departure from K-pop’s typical upbeat sound, Wendy and Legend are in perfect harmony over a warm yet melancholic rhythm.

As Red Velvet’s main vocalist, Wendy was the ideal voice for this collaboration. Additionally, she split her childhood between Canada and the U.S., and has been comfortable singing in English since Red Velvet debuted in 2014. This wasn't her first collab with a Western artist: In 2017, she released an English-language version of the pop ballad " Vente Pa’Ca " with Ricky Martin . 

BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez - "Ice Cream" (2020)

A powerhouse debut single, BLACKPINK collaborated with pop royalty Selena Gomez on the massive 2020 hit "Ice Cream."

An electropop-bubblegum fusion filled with dairy double entendres, "Ice Cream" was an enormous success for both Gomez and the BLACKPINK girls. The track peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has racked up nearly 900 million YouTube views to date. 

Written by a consortium of hitmakers, including Ariana Grande and BLACKPINK’s longtime songwriter and producer Teddy Park (a former K-pop idol himself), "Ice Cream" shows that YG Entertainment’s golden foursome and Gomez were the correct partnership for this track. The pop-trap bop marked the first time a K-pop girl group broke the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and immediately solidified BLACKPINK as global superstars. 

Snoop Dogg and Monsta X - "How We Do" (2022)

West Coast rap godfather Snoop Dogg has quietly become one of the go-to Western acts for K-pop collabs, working with Psy, BTS, Girls’ Generation and 2NE1. K-pop is the Dogg Father's "guilty pleasure, " and he performed at the Mnet Asian Music Awards with Dr. Dre in 2011. Without Snoop's love of K-pop, the world might not have gotten this fun and energetic collaboration with Snoop and Monsta X, a five-member boy group under Starship Entertainment.

The song appears in The Spongebob Movie: Sponge On The Run in a dance segment where Snoop, decked out in a pink and purple Western suit, is accompanied by zombie dancers. Though we do not see the members of Monsta X, their harmonious crooning is the perfect accent to Snoop Dogg’s trademark casual West Coast flow.

BTS and Steven Aoki - "MIC Drop (Steve Aoki remix)" (2017)

No K-pop list is complete with a nod to the magnificent seven, and "MIC Drop" is one of their catchiest Western collabs to date. 

"Mic Drop" is quintessential BTS: a nod to hip-hop with a heavy bass line and fun choreography. While the original version of "MIC Drop" is excellent, the remix with EDM superstar DJ Steve Aoki and rapper Desiigner cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the first of many hits for the Bulletproof Boy Scouts. 

Released at a time when BTS were just starting their ascent to chart-topping Western dominance, the track's boastful lyrics and tension-building electro-trap production offered an excellent introduction to the group that would soon become international superstars. 

JYJ, Kanye West and Malik Yusef - "Ayyy Girl" (2010)

A truly deep K-pop cut, you’d be hard-pressed to find many people who know that Kanye West collaborated with a first-generation K-pop group over 13 years ago. Released as the lead single on JYJ’s English-language album The Beginning , West’s signature bravado and wordplay are on full display over a track that sounds like the Neptunes produced it.

The song garnered attention in the U.S., but after a string of bad luck (including a severely delayed U.S. visa process and issues with their management company, SM Entertainment), JYJ could not capitalize on their American success. The group continued to see success in Korea and Japan in the early 2010s but never made a splash in the Western market again.

IVE and Saweetie - "All Night" (2024)

A reimagining of Icona Pop’s 2013 song of the same name, "All Night," sees fourth-generation K-pop girl group IVE partner with rap’s resident glamor girl Saweetie for a funky, electronic-infused pop song that’s perfect for dancing from dusk till dawn. 

"All Night" is the first English song for the Starship Entertainment-backed group. Interestingly, none of the members of IVE have individual lines in the song, choosing instead to sing the lyrics in a six-part harmony. This choice is exciting but fun, giving listeners the feeling that they are more than welcome to sing along. 

The girl group embarked on their first 24-date world tour in January 2024, with stops in the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America. Given their quest for global dominance, there’s a good chance "All Night" won’t be IVE's last English-language release.

BTS and Megan Thee Stallion - "Butter (Remix)" (2021)

BTS’ "Butter" had already spent three weeks atop the Billboard charts and was declared the "song of the summer" when the group’s label announced Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion as the guest star for the song’s remix in late August 2021. The GRAMMY-nominated septet is no stranger to collaborating with Western musicians, having worked with Halsey , Jason Derulo, and Coldplay . 

Though only slightly altered from the original (Megan’s verse was added in place of the song’s second original verse, along with several ad-libs), the remix was praised by both fans and critics alike, catapulting the song’s return back to the No. 1. Although the collaborators did not release a new music video featuring the group and the self-proclaimed "Hot Girl Coach," three members of BTS’ "dance line" (members J-Hope , Jungkook and Jimin ) released a specially choreographed dance video . Additionally, Megan was a surprise guest during BTS’ record-breaking Permission to Dance LA concert in November of the same year.

LE SSERAFIM and Niles Rodgers - "Unforgiven" (2023)

GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Nile Rodgers ' first foray into K-pop was a partnership with LE SSERAFIM , a fourth-gen girl group from the same parent company behind BTS. "Unforgiven" was released earlier this year as the lead single from the group’s debut album of the same name. 

A darker take on the familiar K-pop formula with A Western feel and look (the young quintuplet dons cowboy hats, boots and bolo ties in the song’s accompanying music video), "Unforgiven" is about rebellion and being a fierce, strong and independent risk taker. That riskiness drew Rodgers' ear. 

"It seems like a lot of the K-pop that I'm hearing lately, the…chord changes are a lot more interesting than what's been happening [in other music fields] over the last few years," he told GRAMMY.com in 2023. "I come from a jazz background, so to hear chord changes like that is really cool. They’re not afraid, which is great to me."

15 K-Pop Songs That Took 2023 By Storm: From Seventeen’s "Super (손오공)" to NewJeans' "Super Shy"

PHOTO: AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN/FILMMAGIC

6 Takeaways From 'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star'

In honor of BTS' 10th anniversary, Disney+ released 'BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star.' Two of the eight episode docuseries are available to stream; read on for a deeper look at the septet's history, accomplishments, and behind-the-scenes moments.

Today, it’s hard to avoid BTS . You might have heard their GRAMMY-nominated singles "Dynamite" and "Butter" playing at a random store. Maybe you learned about another record they broke in the news. Or, you probably know at least one person in their passionate, loyal fanbase, also known as Army.

But before there was BTS, the international sensation, there was Kim Seok-jin ( Jin ), Min Yoon-gi ( Suga ), Jung Ho-seok ( J-Hope ), Kim Nam-joon ( RM ), Park Ji-min ( Jimin ), Kim Tae-hyung ( V ), and Jeon Jung-kook ( Jung Kook ), seven hopefuls from across South Korea with one dream and thousands of hours of dedication to their craft.

A decade ago, it might have seemed impossible for a group like BTS to be at the top in their home country — let alone one of the biggest groups on the planet. In Korea, it was only likely to become successful if you had one of the legacy names, such as SM Entertainment, backing you, and they came from the virtually unknown Big Hit Entertainment (now Big Hit Music under conglomerate HYBE).

Year after year, the septet defied odds, from winning Best New Artist at the esteemed Melon Music Awards in 2013 to earning Top Social Artist across the globe at the Billboard Music Awards consecutively between 2017 and 2021. They have amassed 26 Guinness World Records and became the first Korean act to receive multiple nods from the GRAMMYs.

In honor of their 10th anniversary as BTS, Disney+ released BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star . The docuseries offers a deeper look at the septet's massive accomplishments, tracing back to their initial auditions in 2010. The first two of eight episodes are available to stream now.

Below, discover everything we learned thus far about the icons in their latest docuseries, BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star .

The BTS Grind Never Stops

You see their flawless choreography, calculated facial expressions and glamorous outfits, but you never know the amount of preparation it takes to get there.

For example, BTS rehearsed the lead single, "Danger," from their debut studio album, Dark & Wild , until the wee hours of the morning for weeks. They then traveled to Los Angeles to promote the single and, despite Big Hit’s unstable financial state, implemented a huge budget to produce the music video. The goal was to win the television competition "SBS Inkigayo."

"As expected, we didn’t place first and left the charts in a day," RM remarks in the episode.

The intense training and dieting caused them to question if their slow traction was worth the battle. "To be honest, I didn’t think this was fun in the past," Jin tearfully mentioned in a 2013 fan meeting. "There were a lot of things they couldn’t get started because they weren’t sure what path we were on."

Through their frustrations, BTS never gave up, and eventually, the perseverance led to their first mega-hits, "I Need U" and "Fire" in 2017. They obtained their desired results and still never decreased their work ethic, which skyrocketed their career to an even higher level. "We’ve always worked hard, whether there was a crisis or not," Jin explains.

Everyone Had Their Unique Strengths

What makes BTS a powerhouse is that each member had a clear-cut reason they joined, and as Suga notes, it took "countless" changes to perfect it into the current lineup.

According to HYBE chairman and the group’s creator, Bang Si-hyuk, he was impressed by RM’s "depth of character and base of knowledge"; Suga had a unique sarcastic, dark side; J-Hope was "the personification of diligence" and a strong dancer; Jin’s handsome features would easily attract a fandom; Jung Kook had "a lot" of potential; V was effortlessly charming; and Jimin was instantly talented and intrigued the team.

They’re More Than Colleagues — They’re Family

It’s common for manufactured groups not to bond beyond the stage. However, BTS see themselves more like family than co-workers.

Showing up for one another’s personal affairs was second nature. Without question, they watched Jung Kook enter high school, taking photos and teasing their younger brother, or maknae . The docuseries also flashes back to J-Hope’s surprise birthday party, where the six created a sentimental video of his family.

"I had found my place," J-Hope shares. "I believe that [joining BTS] was the most fateful moment of my life."

Being A K-Pop Idol Wasn’t Always Respected

For many aspiring musicians, especially those of Asian heritage, becoming an idol is the ultimate goal. You completely surrender to your art, spending nearly every waking hour doing what you love. If you’re lucky enough to debut at a company like HYBE, you will undoubtedly join the ranks of K-pop’s most influential. Better than anyone else, BTS knows that wasn’t always the case.

"There was a strong negative view of idols," Suga recounts of their breakthrough EP The Most Beautiful Moment in Life . "Nowadays, we are acknowledged for our achievements and performances overseas, but it was a really agonizing time for us back then. We had a lot of unreasonable controversies."

They became "desperate and spiteful," but because of the support from the Army, they overcame the rough patch and switched the narrative. As a thank you to their fans, they wrote "2! 3!" to say, "Let’s forget it all."

The United States Was A Turning Point In Their Career

By 2016, BTS knew they were stars in Korea. They performed in the biggest venue at the time, the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, with a capacity of 25,000 people. They won the Mnet Asian Music Awards' most coveted honor: Artist Of The Year.

"In a movie, the credits would start rolling. At that point, we’d done everything we could as Korean artists," Suga says with a laugh. So, what’s next? Conquer the rest of the world.

The following year, BTS performed at the Billboard Music Awards, certain that nothing would come of it. To their surprise, they won Top Social Artist, which had previously only been awarded to Justin Bieber .

"It was the start of raising people’s awareness of us as the group BTS," RM reveals. Things continued to snowball: they performed at the American Music Awards and dropped a remix with Steve Aoki.

By early 2022, BTS were making history. The group performed their smash hit "Butter" onstage at the 64th GRAMMY Awards.

They Believe In The Power Of Art

When the pandemic began in 2020, entertainment was the first sacrifice. "‘Concerts may never be held again. People are unable to gather,’" Suga recalls hearing on broadcasts. They began to wonder if there was a point in releasing music.

After two years of self-reflection and improvement, they knew COVID-19 could not be the end. Music gave them purpose. "That was the driving force," J-Hope says. "I wasn’t completely aware of how important music and dancing was to me. I realized that I shouldn’t take it all for granted."

The lockdown also showed them the impact Army had on their lives. They motivated them to keep going because they knew how much the band meant to their fans. They witnessed it constantly when they saw the fervent cheers and tears on tour. BTS has brought together millions of people. As Namjoon promises, "Art can change the world," and "Music transcends languages, nationalities and races."

• 1 Everything We Know About Suga's Debut Solo Album, 'D-Day'
• 2 Stream RM's New Album 'Right Place, Wrong Person': See The Tracklist, "LOST!" Video & Special Guests
• 3 J-Hope's Road To 'Hope On The Street Vol.1,' From Falling Back In Love With Dance To Tying Together His Global Influences
• 4 9 Essential K-Pop/Western Collabs: From BTS And Megan Thee Stallion, To IVE And Saweetie
• 5 6 Takeaways From 'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star'

Suga of BTS’s World Tour Is Pop Subversion at Its Finest

In the U.S., the first member of the group to stage solo concerts delivered a thrilling declaration of artistic individuality.

Four hooded figures seemed to float down the stage, through the soft exhalations of a fog machine. On their shoulders, they carried a body clothed in black. Rain and lightning flashed a clean white on the screen behind them. When the man was finally laid on the ground, what followed looked like a resurrection: The spotlights found him, screams rose, and at last he stirred. Then he raised a microphone to his mouth.

This rock-star Lazarus was Min Yoongi, better known as the rapper and songwriter Suga of the Grammy-nominated, chart-topping South Korean group BTS. But none of his bandmates were onstage that night at UBS Arena, on Long Island, New York, because it was the first date of his solo world tour. Since last summer, the members have been focusing on individual projects as each prepares to complete his mandatory military service. The first in BTS to do a solo tour, Suga was also performing as Agust D, the name he adopted in 2016 for making music that was darker, more raw, and more personal than his group work. Last month, he released his studio album D-Day , the powerful conclusion to his trilogy of Agust D records, which delivered social critique and meditations on trauma, fame, mental illness, alienation, and forgiveness.

Suga’s ongoing tour, also titled D-Day, is the first real showcase of his oeuvre, and, on the sold-out U.S. leg of his tour, it felt like a declaration of artistic individuality more than a decade in the making. His concerts exploded with frontman energy and auteurist flourishes. But his most striking achievement was embracing pop music’s empathy-fueling potential while resisting its dehumanizing effects.

All 11 of his U.S. tour dates, which wrapped Wednesday night in Oakland, California, began with a short film that ended with Suga lying on a road in a thunderstorm. This was a reference to when he was hit by a car while working in Seoul part-time as a delivery boy to support himself while training to debut with BTS. The crash left him with a painful shoulder injury that continued to dog him even as BTS went on to achieve international fame. The segue from the video to the real-life Suga being carried onstage, seemingly lifeless, was smooth yet jarring—a reminder of the human vulnerability of a pop star whose fans camp outside concert venues for days.

When I saw Suga on that first night, at UBS Arena, as well as the final U.S. night, at Oakland Arena, his show challenged expectations of what a pop concert can do. On one level it was a dynamic hip-hop show, put on by a technically proficient rapper who as a kid would sample the Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto’s music to make his own beats. Suga set the tone for the evening with “Haegeum,” whose title refers both to a Korean string instrument and to the notion of lifting a ban on something that was forbidden. “Endless influx of information prohibits freedom of imagination / And seeks conformity of thought,” Suga rapped in Korean. “Slaves to capitalism, slaves to money, slaves to hatred and prejudice / Slaves to YouTube, slaves to flexin’.” The haegeum ’s haunting strings and a deliciously grimy bass vibrated the air. Though the track was written entirely in Korean, the crowd roared the lyrics back to him. He practically entered a hypnotic state while running through a rap-heavy opening sequence with the defiant “Daechwita” and the earlier fan favorites “Agust D” and “Give It to Me.”

Read: The friends who listen to BTS together stay together

Before the audience could get too settled, Suga brought out his acoustic guitar, its body decorated with messages and drawings from the other six BTS members. He’d only learned to play the instrument during the pandemic , so his unplugged version of “Seesaw” cut a sharp contrast to previous performances of the song, which featured choreography, backup dancers, and an elaborate set. His effortless swagger during the earlier hype songs gave way to the quieter spectacle of Suga in singer-songwriter mode. Later, he sat down at an upright piano and performed his own version of the 2020 BTS track “Life Goes On” and, in a particularly emotional moment, a solo rendition of the song “Snooze,” which features the singer Woosung and the late Sakamoto. A clip of Suga and Sakamoto’s sole meeting, from late 2022, played beforehand on the big screen—the older musician playing the song on a grand piano while the younger man tries to contain his joy. Sakamoto’s presence on “Snooze,” one of his final collaborations, was especially poignant to Suga, who idolized him and wrote the song to comfort younger struggling artists.

Read: The astonishing duality of BTS

Again and again, D-Day allowed Suga to experiment in ways that he hadn’t been able to with BTS, and it was thrilling to see. Yes, he was still clearly a seasoned entertainer, who knew how to command the attention of tens of thousands of people , who could jump around a stage rapping without appearing to take a breath, as during the exhilarating medley of BTS rap songs in the middle of the concert. And at two Los Angeles shows, he welcomed guest appearances by the American singers Max and Halsey for their respective collaborations. But his subversive choices stood out too. The concert was interspersed with short films that evoked the dream logic of David Lynch and the grainy aesthetic of grind-house movies, telling the story of the musician’s three identities: the pop idol Suga, the shadow self Agust D, and the human Min Yoongi. The ultimate artistic aim of the concert seemed to be to clarify each of these distinct selves to the audience while recognizing that they must all exist together. Seeing him perform his solo BTS songs, including “Interlude: Shadow,” as well as his verses from tracks with the other BTS rappers , affirmed that he wasn’t looking to reject his past but instead was proud of it. After all, it had taken him to South Korea’s Blue House , America’s White House , the United Nations General Assembly, and the Grammys stage.

In another fascinating production choice, throughout the show, pieces of the extended stage were pulled to the ceiling by chains, giving Suga less and less space to perform, requiring him to navigate the platform more carefully. For his last pre-encore song, “Amygdala,” he stood on a lonely-looking square as fire blazed all around him, a terrifying prison. The centerpiece of the D-Day album, the emo-rap track serves as an origin story for the alter ego of Agust D, referencing his life’s defining traumas—the car accident, his mother’s heart surgery, and his father’s liver-cancer diagnosis—and how they shaped him. During the song’s final lines, apparently depleted, he collapsed on the ground, and the hooded figures returned to carry him away. Only this time, he wore all white, as though he’d been cleansed, his catharsis complete.

By the encore, all of the stage pieces had been removed, revealing the technical equipment that had been hiding beneath it. Scattered about were fire extinguishers, electrical cords, pyrotechnic devices. No longer elevated above the crowd, Suga performed his last few songs at ground level, right in front of fans, sometimes grabbing their phones and filming himself. These last moments were bittersweet: Much of the audience knew that after the tour ended in Seoul in late June, Suga would begin his military service for at least 18 months. That reality made the concerts feel like a temporary farewell. Fans’ glowing lightsticks rippled like a single wave throughout the arena. Every so often, carried by a feral energy, the crowd would start barking, making Suga gawk or laugh. In Oakland, he told the audience that he would return with the rest of the BTS members, asking fans to wait just a little longer.

On the tour’s first night, one more surprise awaited. I had assumed that the final song would be something sentimental or light-hearted. Instead, Suga walked over to an ominous circle of video cameras, stood right in the middle, and began murmuring the opening bars of “The Last.” This song, off his first mixtape, is one of his best and one of my favorites. It’s also a song I have a hard time listening to these days. On “The Last,” Suga raps about his OCD, depression, and social anxiety. His delivery starts out low and subdued and gradually grows more desperate; by the end he sounds like he’s somewhere between screaming and crying. When I first heard it years ago, I recalled my own unceasing panic attacks and the suffocating desire to die. The song lodged itself in my heart, a welcome shard.

Read: I wasn’t a fan of BTS. And then I was.

In recent years, Suga has made more music about growth, about self-love and being okay with uncertainty and suffering. He spoke early during the concert, in English, about wanting to perform with less anger, highlighting songs such as “SDL,” “People,” and “People Pt. 2”; these tracks painted a portrait of someone with a great capacity for measured reflection, forgiveness, and humility in the face of life’s challenges. I understand that too: The relief of no longer hurting so badly, of discovering healing on your own terms. So when I heard the first lines of “The Last” (“On the other side of the famous idol rapper stands my weak self, it’s a bit dangerous”), I froze. What was he doing? Those cameras—arrayed like a surveillance system, transmitting the videos to the screen above him—devoured and projected the anguish he was performing, suggesting that I was devouring it too.

But after a minute, I understood. Though he rapped with the same breathless passion he did as a striving 23-year-old, I realized that he wasn’t performing with pure fury but with an anger tempered by time. This emotion was no less powerful or sincere, but it was less damaging to the person communicating it. These days, he could stand in the flames and feel their heat, but not be consumed by them. He could connect with his younger self without fully becoming that person again.

Then the spell was over. The moment the song ended, the house lights went up so that we could see him walking in silence offstage. No goodbye, no drawn-out thank yous and waves to the cheering audience. Not even a glance backward. On the first night, people exchanged confused looks, shocked by his sudden exit. You could perhaps see this whole finale as a quiet confrontation with an audience, a grand assertion of the self by a beloved artist. But if it was a confrontation, it was one rooted in trust rather than condescension. Trust that the audience can sit with discomfort, that they’re self-aware enough not to be offended or horrified by what he’s showing them.

It was the perfect ending. A concert that began in darkness and mythmaking ended in light and exposure. Suga started the show being carried by others; he ended it by carrying himself out. What more could we want? He had just shown us everything.

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BTS singer Suga announces his upcoming solo world tour

Concerts kick off this spring in the U.S. before heading to Asia. The entire super group won't reunite until 2025 — when members of the K-pop sensation complete their mandatory military service.

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BTS’ Suga Reveals Tracklist For Agust D ‘D-DAY’ Solo Album, Including J-Hope Feature

Guests also include late Oscar-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.

By Gil Kaufman

Gil Kaufman

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BTS’ Suga Returns as Agust D to Tackle Loneliness, Humanity & Being Acknowledged

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Speaking to Billboard about the album last week, Suga said he doesn’t have a “different mindset” when releasing music solo as Agust D or as Suga in BTS, explaining that, “Ultimately, the goal of releasing this music is for as many people to listen to my music as possible. So, ‘People Pt.2’ was made thinking about how people will receive Agust D’s music, which is why we also featured IU. It’s kind of a trial to release this music under the name Agust D. I’m actually a little bit worried.”

The singer added that “Pt. 2” deals with seeking connection and fighting loneliness, whereas the first part of the song, “People,” from the 2020 D-2 mixtape looked externally to other people’s judgements.

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SUGA | Agust D TOUR 'D-DAY' 2023 setlist

from UBS arena date in NY on 04.26.23. all the tracks apart from ddaeng (rip I need it on Apple Music) are on here. It was performed between UGH! and Huh?!

22 Songs, 1 hour, 17 minutes

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Scottie scheffler up to 7th all-time in pga tour money by winning yet another signature event, share this article.

Scottie Scheffler earned his 11th PGA Tour win Sunday at the 2024 Memorial Tournament . In a quirk of scheduling, it’s his first victory after the month of April.

Regardless, a win is a win is a win, and Scheffler now has five this year, the first to win five in a season since Justin Thomas seven years ago.

What’s more, it’s yet another signature event victory, which means elevated first-place cash. This Memorial win was good for $4 million and brings his career on-course earnings on the PGA Tour to $66,589,782.

His win in April at the Masters moved him into 10th all-time . This latest victory has leapfrogged him past Justin Rose and Adam Scott into the No. 7 slot.

His 11 wins include two Masters, two Players (the richest event on the PGA Tour), two Arnold Palmer Invitationals, two WM Phoenix Opens (one of which was a signature event) as well as a Match Play, an RBC Heritage and now a Memorial.

He is a Tiger Woods-hosted Genesis Invitational shy of winning all three of the player-hosted events.

It’s the third consecutive season that Scheffler set the record for most official money ($14,046,910 in 2021-22; $21,014,342 in 2022-23).

Scottie Scheffler’s 11 PGA Tour wins

• 2022 WM Phoenix Open: $1,476,000
• 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational: $2,160,000
• 2022 World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play: $2,100,000
• 2022 Masters: $2,700,000
• 2023 WM Phoenix Open: $3,600,000
• 2023 Players Championship: $4,500,000
• 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational: $4,000,000
• 2024 Players Championship: $4,500,000
• 2024 Masters: $3,600,000
• 2024 RBC Heritage: $3,600,000
• 2024 Memorial Tournament.

Scheffler is one of 16 players in the history of the PGA Tour to reach the $50 million plateau in on-course earnings.

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Common sugar substitute linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke

The safety of sugar substitutes is once again being called into question.

Researchers led by the Cleveland Clinic linked the low-calorie sugar substitute xylitol to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular-related deaths, according to a study published today in the European Heart Journal.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is found in small amounts in fruit and vegetables, and the human body also produces it. As an additive, it looks and tastes like sugar but has 40% fewer calories. It is used, at much higher concentrations than found in nature, in sugar-free gum, candies, toothpaste and baked goods. It can also be found in products labeled "keto-friendly," particularly in Europe.

The same research team found a similar association last year to the popular sugar substitute erythritol. The use of sugar substitutes has increased significantly over the past decade as concerns about rising obesity rates mount.

“We’re throwing this stuff into our food pyramid, and the very people who are most likely to be consuming it are the ones who are most likely to be at risk” of heart attack and stroke, such as people with diabetes, said lead author Dr. Stanely Hazen, chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute.

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Many heart attacks and strokes occur in people who do not have known risk factors, like diabetes, high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels. The research team began studying sugar alcohols found naturally in the human body to see if the compounds might predict cardiovascular risk in these people.

In the study, the investigators measured the level of naturally occurring xylitol in the blood of more than 3,000 participants after overnight fasting. They found that people whose xylitol levels put them in the top 25% of the study group had approximately double the risk for heart attack, stroke or death over the next three years compared to people in the bottom quarter.

The researchers also wanted to understand the mechanism at work, so they fed xylitol to mice, added it to blood and plasma in a lab and gave a xylitol-containing drink to 10 healthy volunteers. In all these cases, xylitol seemed to activate platelets, which are the blood component that controls clotting, said Hazen. Blood clots are the leading cause of heart attack and stroke.

 “All it takes is xylitol to interact with platelets alone for a very brief period of time, a matter of minutes, and the platelet becomes supercharged and much more prone to clot,” Hazen said.

The next question is what causes naturally-occurring xylitol to be elevated in some people and how do you lower it, said Dr. Sadiya Khan, a cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and a professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine who was not involved in the new study.

Much more research needs to be done, said Hazen. In the meantime, he is telling patients to avoid eating xylitol and other sugar alcohols, whose spelling all end in ‘itol.’ Instead, he recommends using modest amounts of sugar, honey or fruit to sweeten food, adding that toothpaste and one stick of gum are probably not a problem because so little xylitol is ingested.

The report had key limitations. 

First, the study of naturally occurring xylitol in people’s blood was observational and can show only an association between the sugar alcohol and heart risk. It does not show that xylitol caused the higher incidence of heart attack, stroke or death.

Nevertheless, given the totality of the evidence presented in the paper, “it’s probably reasonable to limit intake of artificial sweeteners,” said Khan. “Perhaps the answer isn’t replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners but thinking about more high quality dietary components, like vegetables and fruits, as natural sugars.”

Artificial sweeteners shouldn’t be difficult to avoid, said Joanne Slavin, PhD, RDN, a professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. They are listed on the ingredient list of packaged goods.

“Would I say never eat xylitol?” asked Slavin, who had no connection to the study. For some people who struggle to reduce sugar in their diet, sugar substitutes are one tool, and it comes down to personal choice, she said. 

While Slavin found the study interesting and cause for some concern, she noted that sugar alcohols are expensive and are generally used in very small amounts in gum and sugar-free candies.

Another limitation of the study is that the participants whose xylitol levels in the blood were measured were at high risk for or had documented heart disease, and so the results may not apply to healthy individuals.

Still, many people in the general public share the characteristics of the study participants, said Hazen. 

“In middle-aged or older America, it’s common to have obesity and diabetes or high cholesterol or high blood pressure,” he said.

Barbara Mantel is an NBC News contributor. She is also the topic leader for freelancing at the Association of Health Care Journalists, writing blog posts, tip sheets and market guides, as well as producing and hosting webinars. Barbara’s work has appeared in CQ Researcher, AARP, Undark, Next Avenue, Medical Economics, Healthline, Today.com, NPR and The New York Times.

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Vice President Kamala   Harris Launches Nationwide Economic Opportunity   Tour

The Vice President will kick off her multi-state tour with a moderated conversation in Atlanta, GA on April 29 and an event in Detroit, MI during the following week

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris announced today that she will embark on a nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour with a series of events focused on investing in communities, building wealth, and ensuring every American has the freedom to thrive. The Vice President’s tour will take her back to several states across the country as she highlights how the Biden-Harris Administration has built economic opportunity and delivered for the American people. The Economic Opportunity Tour will kick off with a moderated conversation in Atlanta, GA on April 29 and an event in Detroit, MI during the following week. Additional dates and locations will be announced soon.

“President Biden and I are committed to creating an economy in which every person has the freedom to thrive. That is why we have taken historic steps to advance economic opportunity by increasing access to capital, investing in small businesses, addressing housing costs, forgiving student loans and medical debt, investing in infrastructure, and championing additional policies that put money in people’s pockets and build wealth,” said Vice President Harris.   “Our economic approach has delivered great progress, and we will continue to invest in you, your family, and your future.”

During the Vice President’s Economic Opportunity Tour, she will highlight how the Biden-Harris Administration has delivered historic investments that have supported communities and helped people thrive. This includes making unprecedented investments in small businesses and achieving the fastest creation of Black-owned small businesses in more than 30 years, creating a record number of jobs, increasing access to capital for underserved communities, investing in infrastructure, cutting the price of insulin and expanding access to health care, erasing medical debt, forgiving more student loan debt than any administration in history and boosting investments in education, making housing more affordable, lowering child care costs, and increasing the wealth of American families. Vice President Harris will also outline additional steps that she and President Biden are taking to expand this work. She will be joined on the tour by Administration officials, members of Congress, local leaders, and other special guests.

The Vice President’s tour is a continuation of her nonstop travel to communities across the country. She has made more than 35 trips to 16 states since the beginning of 2024. This includes consistent travel to meet with small business owners and entrepreneurs in underserved communities to discuss challenges and opportunities they face. In March, she traveled to Black Wall Street in Durham, NC to announce $32 million in funds to support historically underserved entrepreneurs. She began the year in Las Vegas, NV where she announced an SBA rule that will ensure millions of Americans who have served time are eligible for SBA loan programs that help individuals start and run small businesses.

The Vice President has long been focused on ensuring that minority, rural, and low-income communities have the capital and resources they need to thrive and support small businesses. Last year, she announced that Treasury’s CDFI Fund has awarded over $1.73 billion in grants to 603 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across the country. In 2022, the Vice President also announced a first-of-its-kind public-private sector initiative — the Economic Opportunity Coalition (EOC) — that is a historic public-private partnership of more than 20 private sector organizations that will invest tens of billions of dollars to create opportunity and grow wealth in historically underserved communities. The EOC has already surpassed over $1 billion in increased member company deposits into community finance institutions. As a Senator, the Vice President partnered with key Congressional stakeholders to secure a transformative $12 billion investment for CDFIs and MDIs in December 2020. Since that time, she has worked to ensure these programs are as successful as possible.

Additional dates, cities, and details for media to RSVP will be available soon.

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