ARMYs, the fans of global K-pop phenomenon BTS, thought they had uncovered nearly every detail about the group, but Suga just proved there are still stories waiting to be told.
In a recent appearance on WIRED’s search-engine autocomplete interview, the rapper-producer, whose real name is Min Yoongi, finally addressed a long-standing question about the meaning behind his stage name that caught even his bandmates off guard.
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Reading a prompt aloud, he took the opportunity to set the record straight.
“‘SUGA name meaning,’” he began. “I can finally explain this now. It’s not [shooting guard]. It was annoying to explain, so I just said that.”
For years, fans believed his name was derived from the basketball position “shooting guard,” a simpler explanation he admitted using to avoid lengthy discussions. Coincidentally, he is also a great basketball player and was named an NBA ambassador in 2023 due to his love and passion for the sport, which made fans believe the name story more. But the real story traces back to Bang Si-hyuk, the founder of HYBE, who suggested the name.
According to Suga, his stage name was inspired by boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard. He explained that in combat sports, fighters known for technical striking skills are sometimes associated with the nickname “Suga,” making it a fitting moniker.
"There's a legendary boxer named Sugar Ray Leonard, and I didn't come up with it. Mr. Bang [Si-hyuk] suggested it because he liked boxing so much. So people who have technical striking skills, the specialists are called 'Suga.'"
The rapper also gave a nod to Sean O'Malley, a UFC star who uses the same nickname, pointing out its popularity in the fighting world.
The revelation surprised his fellow members, with j-hope admitting it was his first time hearing the story. “This is my first time hearing this,” he said.
The rest of the group shared similar reactions, highlighting just how unknown the trivia was even within BTS themselves.
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The WIRED feature also showed the group’s playful dynamic, with RM being honest about whether having “regrets” about teaching English to his members.
“No. But they just don’t understand [English],” he quipped, drawing laughter from the group. “I showed a lot of willpower. There’s nothing to regret. I feel like I just never taught them.”
“Even if you teach us, what do we know?” j-hope said, while Jin added, “The teacher is good, but the students aren’t that great.”
The interview comes amid BTS’s much-anticipated comeback with their album Arirang, their first full-length release in six years. The record has made an impressive impact, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and maintaining its top position in its second week.
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According to Billboard, Arirang earned 641,000 equivalent album units during its debut week, driven largely by strong physical sales and streaming numbers. Its lead single “Swim” also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The album has likewise broken records on Spotify, becoming the most-streamed K-pop album in the platform’s history in a single day upon its release on March 20.
BTS is also now gearing up for a massive world tour kicking off in Goyang, South Korea this April 9 to 12. The tour is also set to bring the group back to the Philippines, with scheduled shows on March 13 and 14, 2027.