BTS's Suga catches attention and drops jaws wherever he appears and performs. With a net wealth of $8,000,000 and an insanely fast rapping ability, he is one of the most famous K-pop idols today. However, it wasn't always easy for Suga. The famous BTS member started from a humble beginning that would motivate you and make you weep.
Who would have assumed this celebrity with international fame would have to choose between eating or taking a bus home a little over a decade ago? He played and made music in a music studio, working part-time but gaining nothing.
He would ask himself every day whether he should have a 1,000-won noodle so that he can ride the bus home? Or will he reward himself for 2 hours on a 2,000-won worth of noodles and walk home?
Although he hasn't won, he still holds 2nd place in the rap contest organized by his agency, Big Hit Entertainment.
Suga always used to be involved as an underground rapper (and producer!) until he auditioned for an agency that was never one of the "big three" back then, boasting 70 + tracks underneath his belt now.
When he was recruited to join the agency as a producer/trainee, it looked like his profession is finally gaining momentum! Yet even though he was mostly a trainee, he was also doing part-time jobs as a delivery person to meet costs.
When running an errand, he stumbled into an accident; that's why he suffered from an injury.
"I had a motorcycle crash while I was transporting. I can see the wheels just in front of me when I opened my eyes. I pulled myself onto the wheels and was not capable of moving since my shoulder was dislocated."
Actually telling his agency the whole story, the Big Hit covered school fees for Suga, so he no longer needed to have a part-time job.
Three years of training with the agency, he was initially intended to be a recording artist and a producer. Great thing, gradually, he was persuaded to join his band!
He developed a close relationship with one of his co-trainees, J-Hope, throughout these three years - he also said that he wants to be around him because he encourages and empowers him.
"He is really creative and full of energy too. Normally, I don't have much power, but he still gives me strength and fuels me." - Suga referring to J-hope
To something that his close friend responds and speaks about him: "he behaves as though he doesn't worry for the other participants, but honestly, he does care and love all of them."
Apart from suffering a lack of resources and funds, this potent-willed artist also struggled with his passion for pursuing music due to a lack of support.
Because of all this, as well as fighting numerous mental health problems such as depression, OCD, and sociophobia, Suga made a conscious effort to spread awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses that affect the younger generation nowadays.
"Anxiety and depression appear to be present with me. I put a lot of emphasis on how I'd figure it out, but it looks like I've got to study it all through my life," Suga shared.
Suga has emerged from the ashes as a bigger, braver, and happier person, given all the struggles he had to conquer and the obstacles he had to encounter. With a net wealth of $8 million (and increasing!), Suga is a philanthropist who has contributed $88,160 ($100 million won) to the Korea Pediatric Cancer Foundation, an organization that supports cancer children.
The entire band was granted the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit by the President of South Korea in October 2018, due to BTS' devotion for empowering the youngsters of our generation.
