Talking about the very first time j-hope met the BTS members, it was around 15 years ago. BTS has been active for over 12 years, and if we include their trainee days, the number could be even longer.
More than a decade has pαѕѕed, and while many moments from the past may have faded, the first impressions he had of meeting the members are soмєтнing he will never forget.
Among all the BTS members, the rapper line were the first ones to live together in the dorm. And the very first person j-hope met when he came to Big Hit Music was none other than SUGA — back then, they were only around 18 or 19 years old.
In a rare moment, j-hope and SUGA sat down together and recalled that memorable day at the company dorm. At that time, SUGA had already been accepted as a trainee and had been living there for a while.
When j-hope arrived, the two had what could only be described as an υиєχρє¢тє∂ly awkward — and even “sensitive” — first encounter. When I first met SUGA, he was just a guy in his und3rwear at home, but now he’s a totally αwєsome host. I’m so proud of him", j-hope said as he fondly looked back on the funny memory.
While j-hope’s first impression of SUGA was understandably a little awkward, SUGA, on the other hand, admitted he also “had a lot of thoughts” about the younger member when they first met. He recalled, "Who is this dude in braces talking in a Jeolla-do dialect?’".
Then, to defend his younger self, SUGA clarified the situation in which he appeared in front of j-hope wearing nothing but underwear. It turned out that this wasn’t unique to j-hope — many of Big Hit Music’s new trainees had similar experiences when they first arrived at the dorm. V and Jungkook were also among those who experienced the same thing!
"I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ I was in my und3rwear because I had just gotten out of the bathroom… but the other guy also say that I was in my und3rwear the first time they saw me", he explained.
Even SUGA himself wasn’t sure why such an awkward incident happened. He expressed regret that he wasn’t able to make a better first impression on j-hope and the other members, saying: "But I’m a little bummed that I was in my und3rwear the first time we met!"
Although the first impression might not have been perfect, j-hope admitted that as time pαѕѕed, anyone could clearly feel SUGA’s good nature. Because SUGA had more experience than the other trainees and was already familiar with dorm life, he often supported and helped the new trainees, both in daily life and in practice sessions. j-hope didn’t hold back in praising SUGA for looking so cool with the aura of a true senior.
In the end, more than just an awkward or regrettable moment, SUGA’s image as the “cool guy in his underwear” was actually what helped break the ice for new dorm members like j-hope, Jungkook, and V. He probably didn’t even realize that his easygoing and humorous nature helped the newcomers feel more comfortable and ease the tense, reserved atmosphere.
It wasn’t just j-hope’s story that showed how well SUGA treated the other trainees — Kim Jihoon, one of the former trainees from the original BTS project, has also shared many times about SUGA’s kindness. When Jihoon once fell sick, it was BTS’s rapper who personally took him to the hospital late at night, paid his medical bills, and stayed with him until morning.
What’s remarkable is that at the time, SUGA himself was living a rather tough life and didn’t have much money, but he was never short on kindness.
Even now, as a global K-pop superstar, this quality of his shines even more.
He has encouraged and given advice to younger idols like TXT and Kang Daniel during their early debut days, donated to charities supporting sick children, and contributed to programs that nurture young musical talent.
At the end of the day, there’s really nothing about SUGA you could possibly criticize — he’s just effortlessly perfect in his own way
