Category: KPOP NEWS

South Korean hip-hop artist Tablo, leader of the group Epik High, recently opened up about his life and work in an interview with CNN Brasil. He also talked about what collaborating with BTS’ SUGA was like. He shared insights into their creative process, revealing the stories behind some of their songs.

When asked about the stories behind some of his songs, like one that was quickly written and one that took longer, he mentioned an old friend: SUGA from BTS. Fans got to see a little more of that friendship when the introverted member of the K-pop group interviewed the Epik High frontman on his talk show, Suchwita, available on YouTube.

At one point in the episode, SUGA even reveals that when he’s going through a tough time and has thoughts like “I’ll never be able to write songs after this,” he plays Epik High’s albums. He revealed that listening to Tablo‘s solos from start to finish makes him feel better.

[슈취타] EP.5 SUGA with 타블로

The stories behind the songs 

Tablo said that the song he composed the fastest, and the one that took the longest to finish, were written with the BTS member and producer. Case in point: Epik High’s “Eternal Sunshine.” “I was talking to SUGA, and I was like, ‘Hey, give me a song,’ Tablo shared. “I need a track because I want to try writing a hook. He was on tour somewhere at the time, I think.”

SUGA sent him a slam, and within 15 minutes, Tablo landed a hook. He recorded it and sent it back that same day to the BTS member, who did additional work on the track and sent it back. “And then it was done. It happened fast.”

Epik High (에픽하이) – Eternal Sunshine(새벽에) (Prod. by BTS SUGA) (Lyrics Eng/Rom/Han/가사)

Tablo revealed that the song that took the longest to be released was “Song Request,” with artist Lee Sora. SUGA featured on the song as a guest rapper. “He wrote the lyrics, he had a great verse, but the song literally took almost two years to come out because of so many different things going on,” he recalled.

In that time, SUGA‘s rapping developed into a different style, and the way he saw the world also changed, so he felt that his verse needed to be redone. He went to Tablo and asked him for time to do that. “I said, ‘I don’t know if we have time to redo it, but you’re right. It was two years ago. So he said ok and re-recorded the song. The song everyone can hear is the re-recording,” he clarifies.

LeeSoRa(이소라) ft. BTS SUGA – Song request (신청곡) (Lyrics Eng/Rom/Han/가사)

Tablo reflects on working with SUGA

Tablo added “Eternal Sunshine” to Epik High’s recent concert setlist because he and his daughter Haru couldn’t make it to SUGA’s concert in Seoul

Tablo‘s anecdotes about working with SUGA reveal their collaboration’s fluid and dynamic nature. Whether a song is composed quickly or takes an eternity, Tablo reflects, “It just happens like that. It’s not because of who does it; it’s just different circumstances, situations behind the scenes, and inspirations. So each song has its own clock.”

With Tablo‘s candid insights into his collaboration with SUGA and his reflections on life and music, his interview offers a glimpse into the inner workings of one of South Korea’s top hip-hop groups. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: She’s not in this photo, but Tablo brought his daughter Haru to the “Suchwita” set that day. Source: Instagram/@blobyblo.

Kang Taehyun, a member of the popular K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), covered “SEVEN,” a hit single by BTS’s Jungkook.

The cover, which Taehyun uploaded to the fan community platform Weverse, has not only delighted fans but also received praise from Jungkook himself. 

Taehyun‘s admiration for Jungkook is well-known. As labelmates at BIGHIT MUSIC, the connection between the two artists dates back many years. Taehyun has been a fan of BTS for years, and his support for the group, especially Jungkook, has been evident in various interactions.

On July 31, Taehyun released his cover of “SEVEN,” singing along to an instrumental version of the original. He congratulated Jungkook on topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, calling the song “godly” and a “masterpiece.” 

How will Taehyun react?

Jungkook‘s reaction was swift and appreciative. He thanked both Taehyun and BOYNEXTDOOR‘s Jaehyun, who also covered the song. 

Taehyun‘s fanboy moments with Jungkook have been a source of joy for fans. When TXT debuted in 2019, they visited BTS in their dressing room at a music show. It was then that BTS’ leader RM revealed that Taehyun had over 10 photos of Jungkook in his KakaoTalk profile picture history. RM found that quite amusing. When he shared that story with BTS and TXT, he remarked, “He must be Jungkook’s fan.”

That interaction between Jungkook and one of his idol fanboys was both cute and funny. Now, with Jungkook‘s public acknowledgment of Taehyun‘s cover, BTS and TXT fans are imagining Taehyun‘s excitement. Social media is abuzz with humorous speculations about Taehyun‘s reaction.

“SEVEN” is Jungkook‘s official solo debut. It dropped on July 14, featuring American rapper Latto. The song is a taste of Jungkook‘s upcoming solo mini-album, expected to be released by November 2023. His success with “SEVEN” has been remarkable, winning first place on South Korean music show Inkigayo. The song’s popularity continues to grow, and covers by fellow idols like Taehyun add to its acclaim. 

https://twitter.com/mhereonlyforbts/followers_you_follow

Taehyun‘s cover of “SEVEN” and Jungkook‘s warm response highlight the camaraderie and mutual respect between these two talented artists. Fans are now eagerly awaiting more collaborations and interactions between BTS and TXT, two of the most prominent groups in the K-pop industry. In the world of K-pop, where fandoms and connections run deep, this interaction is a reminder of music’s power to bring people together. Or, in this case, make successful fanboys out of idols like Taehyun. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Taehyun truly did his sunbae’s song justice. Source: Twitter/@translatingTXT.

BTS’ SUGA isn’t just a music superstar. He’s also a self-proclaimed “superfan” of Samsung’s Galaxy products. Recently, he interviewed Cho Won-Jun, EVP and Head of Mobile R&D Office at Samsung. They discussed the latest foldable phones: the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5.

SUGA’s History with Samsung 

Galaxy x SUGA: Galaxy Z Flip5 | Fold5 | Samsung

SUGA shared his history with Samsung, which began with the Galaxy S7 in 2016. He also shared his childhood fascination with assembling computers. “When I was young, I played with computer parts. I loved building things by myself,” he reminisced. Furthermore, he expressed his excitement for the new Galaxy Z Fold 5, a device he now owns.

On July 26, Samsung invited him to an event called Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July 2023. It showed off the company’s innovations, especially new the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. People asked SUGA for his thoughts on them. Moreover, his single “Daechwita” was played at the event.

SUGA was among the first to own the Galaxy Z Fold 5. His unit even has “D-DAY” engraved on the back, named after his chart-topping album. Pictures of SUGA holding the Galaxy Z Fold 5 with TM Roh appeared on Samsung’s social media accounts. (Roh is President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.)

SUGA‘s relationship with Samsung goes beyond mere ownership. He has shown a special affection for Galaxy products among BTS members. At a concert in Newark, New Jersey, he only took selfies with fans who owned Galaxy smartphones. He declared, “No iPhone, only Galaxy.”

Exploring the Galaxy Z Fold 5

In the interview with Choi Won-Joon, SUGA‘s questions revolved around design and engineering. He asked about the foldable hinge and the foldable display itself. SUGA‘s enthusiasm for the topic was evident throughout the conversation.

Both he and Choi believe in enhancing user experience through improved design and larger screens. Choi elaborates, “Samsung has had a vision for a long time that phones should be smaller while the display size is bigger. With advancements in foldable display technology, we knew we could do that.”

Choi pointed out specific improvements in the Fold 5. These newer foldable devices are thinner and more compact, providing a better grip. They also have a space in the hinge part. Choi says, “It folds with almost no gaps, but we created a display structure that allows it to be folded in a round shape from the inside.”

SUGA enjoyed their conversation immensely. He said, “I feel like I’m listening to a lecture, but it’s so much fun. I mean it. It’s really fun to talk with these developers.”

On BTS’ SUGA and the Galaxy Z Fold 5

Choi concluded with a reflection on the hard work behind the products. He said, “There are so many worries and so much blood, sweat, and tears involved in making something until it’s released.” Their conversation provided a behind-the-scenes look at the development of Samsung’s latest foldable devices. It serves as a testament to the creativity and dedication involved in creating cutting-edge technology,  

Fans of SUGA, collectively called ARMY, can now pre-order Samsung’s latest products, including the foldable smartphone, through its official website. They’re set for an official release on August 11. Early adopters can benefit from free memory upgrades and other bonuses.

With the Galaxy Z Fold 5, SUGA‘s relationship with Samsung continues to unfold (pun intended), symbolizing a partnership that goes beyond a mere endorsement. 

His role as an honorary Samsung employee and his active participation in the Galaxy Unpacked event highlights a connection that resonates with fans and tech enthusiasts alike. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: SUGA and Choi Won-Joon were honored to be in each other’s presence. Source: YouTube/@Samsung.