There is a famous joke among BTS members that “BTS has a purely work-based relationship.” The members have also humorously confirmed this in various moments.

In reality, no one can deny this because being an idol is also an occupation, and the members work together no differently from colleagues in a company, just like in any other profession. Moreover, the world of celebrities is even more complicated and is not without jealousy and competition.

But that does not mean that every relationship in the celebrity world is full of hidden intentions or guardedness. If you look at the 10-year career journey of the 7 members and follow their relationship, you will certainly realize that the group’s bond is not an ordinary “work” relationship.

More than just colleagues bound by HYBE’s contract, the BTS members are truly brothers in a family, and many people even wonder how they have managed to keep the group’s activities intact after more than a decade since debut.

Even so, there are still quite a few accusations that the relationship BTS shows is merely fake. Many people even try to distort it by saying that BTS members are always competing with each other, especially when they release their solo projects. This even became a topic brought up by a reporter in an interview with SUGA.

As one of the first members to lay the foundation for BTS, SUGA did not hesitate to confront this distorted news, confidently affirming that to this day, BTS has gone beyond the boundaries of ordinary friendship and are more like a family.

When asked whether the members compete over each other’s individual success, he replied: “Are you competitive with your family members? Do you get jealous if your brother or your sister does well? *Laugh* We’re real brothers, period. If I do well, that’s good. If my family members do well, that’s even better". 

Not only that, SUGA also pointed out that the time and the way they have pursued their goals together have made them extremely close. He continued: "If you live for 13 years in one house under the same roof 24/7, you become a family. A lot of people think that the relationships between K-pop band members are kind of fake, but that’s not true. For me, it’s more like, ‘Oh, Jimin, hi! You made it to the Hot 100, I’m so proud of you!'".

With this sharp response, SUGA almost did not allow any ill intentions or division among the members or within the group’s fandom to happen anymore. Clearly, they are a family, and the success of each individual contributes to the glory of the whole family. Therefore, honoring and cherishing each individual’s achievements is the most important thing.

In a video from BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star, SUGA once again affirmed BTS’s relationship after more than a decade of building it. He shared: "They're the people I've been with and seen the most in the 30 years of my life. We've really become a family. There's no other words to describe our relationship. We're family."

Finally, let RM’s words close this matter: "It's like the seven of us are on the same boat, just looking in different directions, but going the same way. That's how I describe BTS".

ARMYs cheered and applauded SUGA’s sharp response, celebrating the group’s eternal friendship:

- This is why I love him so much! BTS forever, brothers for life! 

- Suga always speaks the truth

- Their bond is unbreakable. Family, not just a band.

- He shut down the haters in style! SUGA is so savage

- Proud to be an ARMY today and always. This is real friendship right here

- Nothing can come between BTS. Others are just losers 

- The way SUGA defends their friendship just shows how genuine their bond is after all these years.

- You can tell they’re more than colleagues; they’ve truly become each other’s family through thick and thin.

- SUGA’s words really touched my heart — it’s not just about music, it’s about brotherhood.

- After a decade together, their unity is stronger than ever. No rumor can break that.

- BTS’s relationship is the kind of friendship that inspires millions around the world