Category: K-POP ARTISTS

Despite BTS‘ SUGA‘s ongoing military service, his presence in the public eye remains undiminished. A testament to this is the recent collaboration between GQ Korea and Samsung, where they showcased videos of SUGA discussing his career, personal life, and the pivotal role Samsung’s “The Freestyle” plays in both.

[ENG] Exclusive interview with BTS SUGA GQ 2023 October Issue

All about The Freestyle

Samsung’s “The Freestyle” is heralded as a revolutionary product in the entertainment domain. This compact device, boasting a 4.2 rating from 1,318 reviews, promises an unparalleled cinematic experience right from the start. It effortlessly sets up to project an expansive 100-inch screen, accompanied by superior sound quality, immersing users into their chosen movie or show. But The Freestyle isn’t just for viewing; it’s a nexus for diverse entertainment, courtesy of its Smart TV Content feature. Its innovative design, featuring the 180˚ Dynamic Angle, ensures you can watch from any position, and its compactness makes it a breeze to transport. Moreover, its compatibility with an external battery via a USB Type-C cable means you’re not tethered to a power outlet.

The device guarantees optimal viewing quality. It autonomously corrects skewed images, focuses swiftly, and maintains a level screen. It can project from 30 to 100 inches, allowing users to adjust the screen without relocating the device. The projection’s color even adapts based on the wall’s hue. But it’s more than just a projector; it’s intelligent. Integrated with Samsung Bixby for voice commands, it also offers features like Mobile Mirroring and Tap View for streaming from mobile devices. Additionally, its Ambient Mode lets users personalize their space with lighting effects or cherished photos.

SUGA perceives The Freestyle as the ideal ally for both his professional and personal life, enabling him to maximize every moment. When asked about his current activities, he shared, “Well, I just finished my world tour. These days I’m mainly working on some commercial shoots and personal contents. I was swamped with work but now I have more free time, so there’s been several changes in my life and overall routine.”

The Freestyle x SUGA: How SUGA spends his days off | Samsung

How SUGA finds solace

On his days off, SUGA finds solace in the ambiance of virtual fireplace videos, projecting them onto the ceiling using The Freestyle. “There are these virtual fireplace videos on the Internet that go on for like 10 hours. I like to play them on the ceiling. I do have a TV in my room, but if I use it, I’d have to watch with my chin tucked,” he elucidates. “The Freestyle lets me beam it to my ceiling so I can lay on my back, which is much more comfortable. When I really have nothing to do, I just doze off while listening to ASMR videos. It’s great to just zone out, listening to the sound of crackling fire.”

When he’s not doing that, he’s indulging his passion for basketball. “I feel very attracted to all-out attack and all-out defense. It’s also a sport I’ve enjoyed since I was young. And since I work with the NBA, it is a sport that I find even more enjoyable,” he shared.

SUGA also spends time with his parents and Holly, his parents’ dog. “Actually, it’s not my dog, it’s my parents’ dog, so I haven’t seen him since the last time I went to Daegu. So I need to do a little update on him. Holly is easily frightened. So when we go for a walk and see a stranger or an unfamiliar dog or cat, he gets really scared, so I pretty much hold him while walking. When I play with him, I usually use toys at home and sometimes go out to get some fresh air together. When I went to Daegu this time, I remember he stayed being held in my arms and being together.”

The Freestyle: The Evolution | Samsung

Make the most of it

Shifting the focus back to The Freestyle, he emphasized its significance in his life, especially during his travels. “I’ve been working a lot lately, so, I really want to travel. And I noticed that The Freestyle is great for outdoor use. Typically, projectors can be a hassle to use in places without power outlets, but The Freestyle has its own battery pack, so it can run anywhere. Also, outdoor screens are so high quality these days, so that’s one way to enjoy The Freestyle. My studio is also quite dark, and some of my friends like to use projectors to brighten up their studios by beaming large images, It’s another great way to use The Freestyle.”

When asked if he has any last words to his fans, SUGA said, “It’s still pretty warm where we’re filming. The average temperature is around 30. Autumn is on its way, but it’s over fast, right? Even still, I hope you’ll make the most of it and have a great time.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: SUGA’s definitely living up to his ‘Samsung fan’ reputation, eh? He’s quite the endorser. Source: X/@SamsungPeru.

BTS‘ Jungkook has proven his mettle in the music industry again. His recent track, “3D (feat. Jack Harlow),” has skyrocketed to the top, clinching the No. 1 spot on iTunes in eight major global markets. This achievement breaks his own record set by “Seven (feat. Latto).” Adding to the accolades, the official music video for “3D” has already raked in over five million views.

A harmonious blend of past and present

In celebration of this success, Consequence magazine dropped an exclusive interview with the star. The backdrop was his rehearsals for the esteemed Global Citizen Festival in New York. Here, he unveiled his setlist, which featured solo tracks like “Euphoria” and “Still With You,” coupled with BTS‘ English hits “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance.”

“So, there I was, preparing for my next single,” Jungkook reminisced, detailing his journey to “3D.” He went through a plethora of tracks before one struck a chord. “I received lots of songs to look at, but didn’t really like any of them until I met this one. The moment I heard it, I chose it naturally.”

The song, a harmonious blend of past and present, is accentuated by Jungkook‘s signature refrains. Jack Harlow‘s rap verses further modernize the track. Scheduling conflicts prevented them from recording the song together, but they made up for that by bonding during the music video shoot. Sharing a behind-the-scenes tidbit, Jungkook revealed, “Just to share with you one interesting episode, there’s a scene in the video where we play chess, so I learned to play for the first time right there. And you know what? I played with Jack, and I won!”

Jungkook on the track’s key points

Diving deeper into the essence of “3D,” Jungkook provided a comprehensive breakdown of the track’s key points. Beginning with the choreography, he said, “If you listen to ‘Seven’ and watch the video, there’s something fresh-faced about it. With ‘3D,’ there’s a little more sexiness incorporated into the choreography,” he teased. “Some parts are very high in intensity, others are more relaxed. There’s a lot of contrast and dynamic moves in the video. The choreography is overall very addictive and easy to follow. The fun vibe of the song adds to the feel. I think there’s a lot to enjoy.”

Transitioning to his inspirations, he reflected on his musical influences—especially the tracks from the early 2000s that shaped his formative years. “So, back in the day when I was a trainee, I listened to a lot of songs to prepare for our work. When I started working on this song, I got the sense that it could really appeal to people who know early 2000s music. There’s a sense of nostalgia,” he explained. “But I also felt it could also appeal to younger people with its sophisticated feel, and that kind of direction felt right to me. I also paid close attention to the pronunciation, the feel of the lyrics, and overall content so that I could bring that feeling to life.”

Pushing boundaries

Highlighting his aspirations, Jungkook‘s ambition and drive shone through as he discussed pushing his artistic boundaries. “What I want to do is test how far I can go with my voice and my capabilities. How far can I go completely on my own? Also, I want to try out many different genres, and it’s important that I’m not fixed on any particular genre. I just want to be open, so when I’m working on a song, I’m focused on that moment. The stories of the songs can appeal to a lot of people and be relatable with different variations on that,” he elaborated.

Concluding his insights, he delved into the symbolism behind his solo endeavors, using color as a metaphor to represent his unique identity. “I picture blueish tints and white. It’s the reason I recently changed the color of my microphone to white! With BTS songs, it’s all the different colors of the individual members coming together—whereas for me, it’s just me and my own unique color. I don’t think I could make something that has all the colors of BTS, but being a part of BTS formed the basis for my solo project.”

Congratulations on the success of “3D,” Jungkook! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The track soared to the top of the charts upon release. Source: X/@BIGHIT_MUSIC.

Jungkook, the golden maknae of BTS, is gearing up to release his second solo single titled “3D (feat. Jack Harlow).” It’s set to hit streaming services today at 1:00 PM KST. 

This comes on the heels of his previous hit, “Seven,” which clinched the No. 1 position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and ranked third on the UK Official Singles Chart. Moreover,  “Seven” dominated Spotify’s Weekly Top Song Global chart, holding the top position for an impressive eight consecutive weeks.

“After the overwhelming success of ‘Seven,’ I felt a strong desire to return to my fans with something fresh,” Jungkook shared in a recent interview with South Korean media outlet Dispatch. “I’ve poured my heart into ‘3D,’ and I’m confident it showcases a different facet of my musical persona.”

JUNGKOOK(BTS), The new Solo Single ‘3D’ Introduction

Jungkook conveyed profound gratitude

The choreography for “3D” is reportedly addictive and repetitive, making it a perfect fit for short-form content platforms like TikTok. Collaborating with top-tier musicians, the production of “3D” witnessed contributions from BloodPop. He’s known for collaborating with global icons like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. David Stewart, who played a significant role in writing BTS‘ chart-topping “Dynamite,” also lent his expertise to “3D.”

Adding to the star-studded lineup, rapper Jack Harlow, a regular fixture on the Billboard Hot 100, not only featured on the track but also graced the music video with his presence. “He’s an artist I’ve admired for a long time. Collaborating with him on ‘3D’ has been an enriching experience. His participation in the music video added a unique flair to the project,” Jungkook expressed.

In his concluding remarks, Jungkook conveyed his profound gratitude for the immense love and support he received for ‘Seven.’ He also reaffirmed his commitment to delivering top-notch music in the future. “The love I received for ‘Seven’ was a blessing and a source of motivation. I dedicate myself to evolving and bringing more exceptional music and performances during the ‘3D’ promotions. Please look forward to it,” he said. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook sat down for a quick interview on release day. Source: Youtube/@koreadispatch.