Suchwita: Episode 27 — SUGA with Jang Yi-jeong (EL CAPITXN)

A real, raw, and honest conversation between two best friends. The perfect ending to this first season of Suchwita. Thank you, Min Yoongi, for giving us such an amazing platform to learn more about you and such a diverse spectrum of people. Suchwita has really been a highlight of my life for the past year. I truly, truly, truly hope for more seasons to come.

Suchwita: Episode 26 — SUGA with Lee Sung-kyung

My Korean worlds are colliding (especially because I just re-watched Shooting Stars for the 3rd time.) This might be one of the most unexpected yet harmonious friendships I've ever seen. I WOULD KILL TO BE APART OF THIS GROUP.

Suchwita: Episode 25 — SUGA with Jung Yong-hwa

Yonghwa: "When I was living with the members, we'd talk about BTS, saying, "Hey, isn't there something different about them?" So I got curious since we were promoting at the same time. I got really curious about you guys. So i just went up to you and asked, 'What do you do on days off?' And you said, 'We write songs.'"

Yoongi: "'We work.'"

Yonghwa: "'We work.' Younger artists don't usually say that. Usually, it's something like, 'The agency doesn't give us days off…' or 'We can't go out to hang out.' 90% of answers are like that. But you guys… I just knew you'd make it big. So I figured I should get closer to you."

Yoongi: "Being hot can't last forever."

Yonghwa: "Right, right."

Yoongi: "And that's true. Because the career of a singer is shorter than you think. That's why when singers quit, they go into acting or do something else. I always think about it. BTS is so hot and doing great right now, but I know it won't last forever."

Yonghwa, seriously: "No! No! BTS forever! BTS FOREVER."

Outside of the Suchwita episodes with the other BTS members, I think this might be the funniest and most entertaining episode so far. I'm not that familiar with CNBLUE, but Jung Yonghwa is JOKES. (And also really, really good-looking.)

Suchwita: Episode 24 — SUGA with IU

"I think that if it weren't for the fans who watched over me and liked me, I would've quit a long time ago. But about two years ago, I started thinking I wanted to grow old with the fans I have. I might not get any new fans, I might not be as hot as I used to be, but I want to grow old with the people who were with me in my 20s."

This is why BTS is my forever artist. I found them when I was 30 and these are the people that I spent all of my 30s with, so it may sound silly, but I genuinely think this is why I love this decade so much more than my 20s. I totally understand IU's sentiment of wishing her 20s would be over soon. Your 20s are for growing up and your 30s are for finally feeling comfortable with who you've become. And on that note, I genuinely love Suga and IU's relationship. The ease, comfort, and banter between these two friends is an absolute pleasure to listen to. I sincerely hope they'll have more collaborations together in the future.

Suchwita: Episode 23 — SUGA with Kim Nam-gil

Okay, this might be a weird thing to say, but Kim Nam-gil seems like the type of boss who you'd strive to work for because of his hard work, ethics, and honesty, but then accidentally fall in love with because he's just such a genuinely good person who's simultaneously handsome and a little dorky. (Actually, now I can see why he and Jin are such good friends.)

Suchwita: Episode 22 — SUGA with Uhm Jung-hwa

"You only get to live once. I should be able to do what I want instead of cutting one thing out of my life to be included in something else. I decided to re-define what I do."

I see why Uhm Jung-hwa is considered to be one of the most influential people in the Korean entertainment industry. This woman has been in it for 30 years and continues to reinvent herself. She has an optimistic, humble attitude, and it makes her such a perfect role model for all the juniors in the industry. What an inspirational conversation.

Suchwita: Episode 21 — SUGA with Jungkook II

Jungkook: "Without my aspirations to improve myself, I'm basically a dead man."

Yoongi: "Didn't you used to say that about passion?"

Jungkook: "... It's more or less the same thing..."

Yoongi: "Sometimes, when I hear you singing live, it's like you're on autotune. It just happened at some point."

Jungkook: "At some point? I think it was during 'Dynamite.'"

Yoongi: "Yes, that's it!"

Jungkook: "That was when I improved a lot."

Yoongi: "Yeah, like you broke through. That's what I thought."

Jungkook: "I'm making a new breakthrough again these days."

Yoongi: "Sure, you have to keep changing and try new genres."

Jungkook: "Right, right."

Yoongi: "We're not artists that do just one genre. When we can do various genres."

Jungkook: "I really like being able to do that."

Yoongi: "It's our weapon, our strongest weapon."

Jungkook: "I keep thinking about how fun it'll be when we're back together again and perform."

Yoongi: "When we do, we'll devour the whole world."

Jungkook: "I think this period in my life is the golden time for me."

Yoongi: "Nah, you'll have more times that are golden."

Jungkook: "I'm just saying, 'Seven' did so well so I don't want to miss out on this golden period in my life. That's what I wanted to capture in my album."

Yoongi: "In my opinion, two or three more times like this will come."

Jungkook: "I have to work for that. I have to work harder for that to happen."

Yoongi: "Also, as soon as I saw that album cover, I thought, 'He's a true pop star!'

Jungkook: "Yes!"

Yoongi: "We finally have an Asian pop star!"

Okay, I've been listening to GOLDEN on repeat since it was released yesterday and it's absolutely true what Yoongi said — the ability to do different genres really is BTS' strongest weapon. All 11 tracks on GOLDEN are totally different genres and Jungkook uses a huge range of vocal styles on each one — and he always sounds flawless. Jungkook's vocal ability has always astounded me; he never sounds out of place or awkward on any track he's ever been on, and he is absolutely BTS' main vocalist for a reason. As I predicted, "Standing Next to You," "Yes or No," "Hate You," and "Shot Glass of Tears" are the standouts for me, but there's not a single skippable song on this album — which is actually rare for me on a full album. At this point, it would surprise me if Jungkook didn't get at least one Album of the Year award.

Suchwita: Episode 20 — SUGA with Taemin

Yoongi: "What lesson are you receiving?"

Jimin: "English lessons."

Yoongi: "You'll speak better English after a drink."

Jimin: "Yeah, when I'm a bit sleepy, I speak better English."

Yoongi: "Yeah, if I drink, I become as good as Kim Namjoon."

Taemin: "But Jimin's balance is amazing. It's so good for dancing. The way Jimin uses his body, if others start their dance here, it's like Jimin starts from here. And his centre of gravity isn't on the top of his body but more below so his dance lines are really pretty but his masculine vibes are at the core."

Yoongi: "How did you make the solo artist Taemin and what work did you put in?"

Taemin: "Do I construct my own identity or do I follow popular appeal? When I had to make a decision between the two, I chose my own identity. 'I don't know about popular appeal,' 'I don't know what people like.' I'm just gonna do what I'm good at. If you don't like it, fine. And if you like it, great. That was my mindset and I'm still like that. But thankfully, people resonated with my music and there were fanatics of my music. But even now, I don't think I will care that much and continue to pursue my own colours."

I can really see why Taemin has become so many idols' role model, but I especially see his influence in Jimin. Not just in dance (there is a lot of debate over "best" dancer in K-pop, but Taemin and Jimin are always on those lists — and have you ever heard someone describe Jimin's dancing as accurately as Taemin?), but in the way he carries himself, the way he speaks, the choices he makes, and the way he's popularized gender-fluidity in the K-pop scene. A pioneer, indeed.