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.