Since the beginning of this month, BTS, through their agency BigHit Music, officially announced that they will release their fifth full-length studio album on March 20. This marks their first new album since the anthology Proof, released in June 2022, and will feature a total of 14 tracks. The album is titled Arirang, named after кσяєα’s iconic folk song. Through this project, the group weaves their musical identity as artists originating from кσяєα while conveying deep emotional layers of longing and love.
The release of Arirang also signifies BTS’s official conclusion of the members’ solo-focused period, which lasted approximately three years and nine months due to mandatory military service. While BTS’s long-awaited return as a complete group brings immeasurable joy to fans who have patiently waited, it has also stirred nostalgia for the memorable milestones achieved during the era when the members took turns pursuing solo activities to keep the BTS name thriving.
One of the earliest projects launched during BTS’s group hiatus was Suchwita, hosted by SUGA. It is the first—and so far the only—official talk show led by a BTS member under a personal brand.
Over its 14-month run, Suchwita aired a total of 27 episodes featuring a wide range of guests. This diversity made the show appealing not only to BTS fans but also to the general public. However, few expected that the program’s original purpose would be entirely different from what it ultimately became—a revelation that surprised fans when SUGA himself shared it.
He explained that the talk show’s concept had shifted completely from its initial plan, which was meant to be an internal program designed for BTS members to promote their solo albums. After airing, Suchwita expanded into a long-running series and evolved into a welcoming space for celebrities from all walks of life, far beyond the boundaries of BTS alone.
SUGA shared, "At first, the members… It was made to give new media to the members when they made their comeback. But now the guests are getting diverse."
Starting with RM, subsequent episodes welcomed a wide range of well-known figures—from idols and actors to producers—spanning seniors, juniors, and peers from SUGA’s generation, while intermittently featuring episodes that supported the solo promotions of fellow BTS members. Each episode left a lasting impression through candid conversations about careers, personal lives, and individual perspectives, all shared in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
SUGA ultimately curated a remarkably diverse lineup of guests for his talk show—deviating entirely from its original purpose, yet in a way that proved overwhelmingly positive. Upon learning about the evolution of Suchwita’s concept, fans expressed gratitude that SUGA and the production team chose to broaden the show’s scope. Many also voiced heartfelt appreciation for seeing SUGA meet and converse with figures he has long admired in the entertainment industry but rarely had the chance to encounter.
Beyond that, SUGA admitted a shift in his own mindset: “I started it very lighting but I’m more sincere about it than I thought,” revealing that filming turned out to be far more demanding than he initially anticipated. He put considerable effort into selecting suitable guests and preparing richer discussion topics for each episode, all while preserving Suchwita’s signature warmth and intimacy.
A prime example is the very first episode featuring RM. By choosing to open the series with a fellow BTS member, SUGA created an immediate sense of familiarity for viewers. At the same time, their conversation offered ARMY deeper insight into the emotional journey and challenges of transitioning from being BTS members to solo artists.
Meanwhile, the episode featuring BIGBANG’s Taeyang—released alongside his comeback with VIBE—came as a major surprise to fans, evoking waves of nostalgia for the early days of K-pop. Viewers could see themselves reflected in SUGA, who had once been a devoted fan of his senior and the group.
In the episode with SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi, the roles were reversed—SUGA became Hoshi’s role model. Fans were delighted by Hoshi’s initial shyness as a junior and the way SUGA effortlessly broke the ice with warmth and humor.
Additionally, Suchwita featured prominent figures beyond the idol industry, including actor Kim Nam-gil, actresses Uhm Jung-hwa and Lee Na-young, footballer Lee Kang-in, and producer Jang Yi-jeong. Each guest brought fresh, υиєχρє¢тє∂ conversations that captivated viewers. As a result, not a single episode was ever deemed boring by fans.
Even now, as fans look back on Suchwita, their affection for the series remains strong, along with hopes that host SUGA will one day return with the show in the future.
