There is no word in the dictionary that is big enough to fully capture who BTS' SUGA is. This is the conclusion that you would have come to if you were one of the ARMYs who were present at the Singapore leg of the SUGA | AGUST D TOUR 'D-DAY'.
Since beginning in the United States in April, the tour — which has also been to Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand — has proved that the South Korean multihyphenate is a real force of nature, one capable of making waves with his music wherever he goes and leaving scores of transformed lives in his wake. With Singapore being the last destination on SUGA's itinerary before his homecoming shows in Seoul, a legion of ARMYs, both from the Lion City and across the region, gathered at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 17 June to catch the first BTS member to stage a solo tour in the flesh.
On the second day of the global icon's three-day stop in the city-state, a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation could be felt outside the venue as fans waited in line to get their hands on coveted concert merchandise and pose for photos in front of D-DAY concert boards. Many also came ready to welcome SUGA in their best outfits — from tour t-shirts to wedding veils and even the iconic Taechwita costume from BTS 2021 MUSTER SOWOOZOO.
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What awaited all who had turned up inside the venue was so much more than just a concert. Blending dazzling visual effects, pyrotechnics, and a showstopping display from SUGA (who also goes by Agust D), the two-hour spectacle was an unforgettable examination of the man of the hour and the remarkable personal journey he has been on, one that expressed who the artist is in ways that words cannot.
I'M A KING, I'M A BOSS
From the moment SUGA rose from the ground and kicked off the show with 'Haegeum' as a simulated thunderstorm raged on, all eyes — and ears — were on the 30-year-old as he delivered rap verses with speed, clarity, and conviction and commanded the stage like a natural-born showman while supported by his touring band. This was an artist at the top of his game who was perched on the pinnacle of the world. The throngs of screaming ARMYs watching on knew this, and so did SUGA himself.
As satisfying as it was to hear him declare "I'm a king, I'm a boss" in 'Daechwita' and bask in the (well-deserved) rewards of all of the blood, sweat, and tears that he has shed to make it to where he is today, it was equally satisfying to see SUGA perform with a hunger for more that showed his desire to remain on his throne for a very long time. At certain points of the show, the BIGHIT Music act rapped and sang with such intensity that literal drops of perspiration could be seen trickling down his face and falling off his long black locks.
When he was not on stage, the attention of everyone was on engrossing short films that broke up the show's different segments. Resembling big-budget Hollywood productions, they gave fans a peek at what SUGA would look like as an enigmatic noir protagonist. Considering how effortlessly he played the role, perhaps a future in which he is also a film star is not that far-fetched.
When asked what SUGA means to them, the team behind Malaysia-based fan page M.AB (Malaysian Army BTS) said: "The word that suits SUGA the most is 'dedication'. He taught us to focus and do the things we have passion for and achieve them."
They added: "This might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for most of us. We would love to see him in Malaysia, of course. But we are glad to catch him here in our neighbour country. He is amazing and a great performer. The crowd was top-tier. We're glad [that we got] to experience this firsthand and see him face-to-face! [We] hope he will continue to make music. Much love to Yoongi and BTS!"
MY BIGGEST ENEMY IS THE ANGER INSIDE ME
“I was kind of obsessed with a certain pride that I would show them who we are as musicians,” said SUGA about the inspiration behind his track 'Agust D' from his 2016 mixtape of the same name in Disney+'s SUGA: Road to D-DAYㅣD-DAY Roadmap video.
The self-titled number in question was made during a time when an angry SUGA was trying to hit back at the naysayers who would not accept him and his BTS members, but the SUGA that was on stage in Singapore was different from the one from seven years ago. Having done much reflection in the time that has passed since 'Agust D' was released, the rapper presented a live rendition of the song that was filled with vigour, but unlike the original studio recording, not driven by rage.
While omitting songs that no longer reflect one's current emotional state from a show's setlist may seem like a justifiable thing to do, it was a relief that SUGA decided to keep his anger-fuelled older material on his setlist. As he revisited 'Agust D', as well as 'give it to me', from a more mature perspective, he showed the crowd that he had conquered his arch-enemy — the anger that resided within him.
The updated renditions of the songs were also SUGA's way of teaching the crowd that liberation does not come from burying your demons. Instead, it is achieved through facing them courageously and acknowledging their role in moulding us into the better people that we are today and the people we will be in the future.
DON'T BE AFRAID UNTIL THE END OF MY LIFE, BECAUSE LIFE WILL GO ON FOREVER
“People are always worried about the uncertainty of the future. And they’re distressed over the past they can’t change. But the only thing you can control is the present," shared SUGA in his 2023 documentary SUGA: Road to D-DAY.
These words may not have been said during the show's talk segments, but they were certainly conveyed through its music. This was best demonstrated by a comforting performance of 'Life Goes On', which saw SUGA assure his fans, and himself, that even though their current circumstances might seem bleak, everything will be okay and they can look forward to what's to come with optimism.
As he sang and played the piano while clad in a bright outfit that was symbolic of the hope he brings to others, SUGA was supported by thousands who belted out the line "life goes on, life goes on" during the song's chorus. While it is common to hear fans singing along to tunes during a concert, there was something different about ARMYs at SUGA's Singapore show. Not only had they memorised the lyrics to 'Life Goes On', but they had also made them words to live by.
Aside from having a healing effect on the crowd, the song also left its artist in tears.
NOOO YOONGI CRIED DURING LGO☹️☹️ pic.twitter.com/NVLLxS2gas
— yoongi loops (@loopmyg) June 17, 2023
What's truly admirable about SUGA is that despite all of the success he has achieved, he still remembers to use the influence he has to positively impact the lives of others. Just take the part of the show when he got the audience to repeat after him as he chanted the lyrics to 'BTS Cypher 4' for example. As "I love I love I love myself" and "I know I know I know myself" echoed around the venue, all in attendance were reminded of the importance of self-acceptance.
17-year-old Singaporean student Khidash, who missed BTS' 2019 concert in Singapore, called being able to see SUGA in person a "wish come true".
"[BTS are] my life savers. They were there when I was at my lowest and they helped to bring me back onto the right path," he said.
Loretta, a 28-year-old pre-school teacher from Singapore, echoed Khidash's sentiments: "SUGA and BTS, his entire persona and just the band in general, they're like this thing that I can count on that I didn't really think would come into my life. Because music is just music, right? And how can the language you don't understand touch you? But once you realise [that when] you look past subtitles, there's this whole world of healing through their music."
I'M THINKING 'BOUT YOU
What makes SUGA's story so beautiful is that it has been written with the help of many hands, and the D-DAY tour is a celebration of the special people who have helped him get to where he is today.
One of those people is the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, whom SUGA regards as one of his biggest musical heroes. Following a video clip that showed his meeting with the Japanese composer, SUGA paid tribute to Sakamoto through a poignant performance of their collaborative track 'Snooze'.
"I wish you are in peace on your journey," wrote the rapper, songwriter, and record producer in a message that was flashed on screen.
While the other members of BTS were not on stage with him, the inclusion of songs that SUGA made alongside them, such as 'BTS Cypher PT.3 : KILLER', 'BTS Cypher 4', and 'UGH!', on the setlist was a reminder of how much being a part of the GRAMMY-nominated group has shaped him as both an artist and a person.
Aen Macapagal, a 35-year-old HR Lead from the Philippines, said: "This concert, just, you know, broke down everything that was misconstrued after people thought they were going on [a] hiatus. The members are going for military service and people were going to release solos, and all that. But I think this concert just proves that even ARMYs know the truth that it's not disbandment. It's just really going into service. They made sure they saved something for us until 2025."
ARMYs have been one of the biggest constants in his remarkable journey, and their unwavering support for him was on full display during the show. Working as one unit, fans showed their love for SUGA by shouting "Min Yoongi" during 'SDL' and comforted him by chanting the names of all seven BTS members. And nothing they did went unnoticed by SUGA, who made sure to set aside time to show them his gratitude.
"I feel lonely without my members on stage. But having you all makes me feel better," he told ARMYs in attendance.
Following the conclusion of the final show of his Singapore stop on 18 June, SUGA took some time off to connect with fans in a Weverse Live video, in which he thanked them once again for their support during his D-DAY tour and expressed his excitement about his upcoming concerts in Seoul.
🐱 thank you so much for enjoying really so well and see you guys in Korea!
— Sel⁷ (@BTStranslation_) June 18, 2023
🐱 you know right? I'll be waiting/looking forward to it.. looking forward to all your loud cheers
🐱 bye~~ see you guys in Korea!pic.twitter.com/soFiB8vOBp
Relive the second day of the SUGA | AGUST D TOUR 'D-DAY' in Singapore here:
SUGA | AGUST D TOUR 'D-DAY' SINGAPORE DAY 2 SETLIST:
- INTRO + Haegeum
- Daechwita
- Agust D
- give it to me
- Trivia 轉 : Seesaw + OUTRO
- SDL
- People + People Pt.2
- Moonlight
- Burn It + OUTRO
- Interlude : Shadow
- BTS Cypher PT.3 : KILLER + BTS Cypher 4 MEDLEY
- UGH! + Ddaeng + HuH?!
- Life Goes On
- Snooze
- Polar Night + OUTRO
- AMYGDALA + OUTRO
- D-Day
- Intro : NEVER MIND
- The Last
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