Agust D is Back (Long Live the King)

Less than 24 hours after his official debut as Agust D, Min Yoongi is already breaking records as the first rapper in history to sell one million copies of an album on its first day of release. The achievement is an incredible feat, but it’s one that's surely been earned. Yoongi first started composing music over 17 years ago before landing a part-time job at a recording studio. From there, his career as an underground rapper began. Back then, he went by the name Gloss and produced music for a hip-hop group in Daegu called D-Town. Finally, in 2013, he became the man that most people know him as today: SUGA of BTS. In his latest record-breaking release, however, he goes by a very different name. Standing for D-Town SUGA, a clever nod to his roots, the Agust D persona was created. Now, seven years after his first mixtape, the king of rap is back with D-DAY.

“D-Day”

Despite the hard-hitting rap and explicit rating, D-DAY starts off optimistically with an opening track of the same name. It could’ve just as easily been placed last to neatly wrap up the album and end on a high note. However, the choice to make “D-Day” track No. 1 is both strategic and genius. The composition itself practically screams Agust D, while the lyrics are much more hopeful in comparison to his first self-titled mixtape from 2016. It’s a great way to start bridging the gap between his two selves: idol SUGA of BTS and rebellious rapper Agust D. It also serves as a little teaser of what’s to come, borrowing lyrics from “AMYGDALA” and promising that the past is in the past. It almost reads like a note to himself, as much as it is a reminder for listeners. We can finally put the obstacles and worries of the past behind us. Starting from today, D-DAY, the, “future’s gonna be okay.”

“Haegeum”

Haegeum: to lift a ban and allow something that was once forbidden. Alternatively, it is a traditional Korean instrument that grew in popularity during the Joseon Dynasty. Agust D uses this dual meaning to his advantage in the album's title track, “Haegeum.” Many fans have been referring to it as the sister track to “Daechwita,” the title from his second mixtape, D-2. Unsurprisingly, the reason behind their similarities is no coincidence. “Haegeum” was composed at the same time as “Daechwita” and both make use of traditional Korean instruments in their composition. Even the music videos are eerily similar, like an alternate universe or simply a continuation of the same story.

The cinematic music video was shot in Thailand. I could go on for ages about the film-worthy transitions, Agust D lore, and drama-level acting, but perhaps what’s more important is the underlying message. The music video for “Haegeum” is as bold as its lyrics. It’s an insightful social commentary on capitalism and corruption. The fact that he once again takes on the opposing roles of two Agust D’s could also serve as a powerful form of self-reflection. In a society where we must kill to eat and eat to live, no one walks away with their hands clean. It’s an endless cycle, with a mixture of greed and survival instincts acting as the driving force. We get a glimpse in “Daechwita,” just to see the story repeated in “Haegeum.” Perhaps the cycle will finally break in D-DAY’s third music video, “AMYGDALA,” but we’ll have to wait until April 25 to find out.

“HUH?!” (feat. j-hope)

In 2016, Min Yoongi created his Agust D persona as a way to release his built-up anger at the world. As Yoongi enters his thirties, it’s clear to see that he’s been able to let go of a lot of this past rage and become a more mellow person overall. This new outlook on life is more prevalent in the later tracks on the album, while “HUH?!” gives us a taste of the “old” Agust D. He works with one of his closest friends to deliver a clear message to industry and media professionals who can’t help but obsess over their every move, constantly spreading misinformation and gossip. Seeing j-hope’s name on D-DAY’s highly anticipated tracklist was like a gift that keeps on giving. The creative chemistry between these two has always been evident. In a majority of BTS songs, their rap verses build and play off of one another’s, and “HUH?!” is no exception. The ad-libs and flow are perfectly balanced as the duo assures listeners that their concerns are unnecessary and unappreciated. Before departing for the military, j-hope makes one last promise to anyone still questioning BTS’s longevity: “My step is deep / So my comeback is easy.”

“AMYGDALA”

Agust D shows off practiced vocals in an experimental hip-hop track littered with painful memories of his past. Amygdala refers to an almond-shaped “part of the brain that’s most closely associated with fear, emotions, and motivation.” It stores past memories and experiences to tell our body how to react in future situations, often resulting in a “fight or flight” response. Agust D gets personal in the album’s fourth track, sharing stories of his family’s health scares, as well as his own. From his mother’s heart surgery the month he was born, to the accident that crushed his shoulder just months before debut, and the news of his father’s liver cancer that he received during work, Agust D gets candid about traumatic memories stored in his amygdala. He begs to be saved before eventually coming to terms with everything that’s happened. “I bloom a lotus flower again,” he reassures himself. In spite of every trial he’s faced in just 30 years of life, Min Yoongi is still standing, much like a beautiful lotus flower blooming from muddy water.

“SDL”

As discovered in the lyrics, “SDL” is an acronym for “somebody does love.” In a way, it’s Agust D’s version of a love song. It’s not the overly romantic or cheesy type, and if that’s something you’re looking for, you’ve come to the wrong place. Instead, “SDL” offers honest commentary on human relationships. What starts as “pouring sunlight on a spring day” often becomes “a winter sea’s fierce wave” despite both parties having the best intentions. The R&B track shows yet another immense improvement in vocals. Agust D both sings and raps with ADORA contributing angelic backing vocals and ad-libs to round out the song.

“People Pt.2” (feat. IU)

“People Pt.2” is a pre-release track that combines pop with styles of boom bap, a subgenre of hip-hop. It was originally released on April 7 alongside a picturesque music video. Together, they worked as an introduction to Agust D for people who only know him as SUGA. It lessens the gap between his two personas, making D-DAY more appealing to a broader audience. 

Additionally, IU features on the track as a household name in the Korean music industry. Her powerful vocals give the song a soulful feel, complementing the genre well. This marks the duo’s second collaboration after “eight,” which was released as a digital single in May 2020. It’s incredibly fitting seeing as Agust D builds on SUGA’s rap verse from “eight” in “People Pt.2.”

The lyrics discuss the complex relationships between people in regard to love, whether it be romantic or platonic. Agust D once again compares forever to a sandcastle: something that can be easily washed away. He also gives a nod to SUGA’s solo song, “Seesaw,” with the line, “there are no winners or losers in this game, but I’m always the loser.” He shares his cautious nature when forming relationships, attributing it to his desire to form genuine connections with the people around him.

The music video is extremely calm in comparison to that of the title track, simply focusing on the man behind the music. It transitions between scenes of Agust D at home and in the studio. The color scheme is mainly neutral with hints of gentle blues and splashes of yellow. One of the most memorable scenes focuses on blooming purple flowers as he delivers the line, “you’re already more than enough to be loved.” The inclusion of purple in this specific moment is incredibly meaningful as it’s the shared color of BTS and ARMY.

“Polar Night”

On June 14, 2022, just one day after BTS’s ninth anniversary, the group announced plans to focus on their solo careers while completing Korea’s mandatory military service. Memories of the past and fears for the future were shared, resulting in a few tears shed, but the overall outlook was hopeful. That is, until media outlets began reporting the announcement as the disbandment of the biggest group in K-Pop. From there, it was a downward spiral. The public responded with panic and government officials begged one of their economy’s biggest resources to reconsider. Naturally, BTS weren’t quite sure how to respond, seeing as they never intended for the announcement to result in rumors of a breakup. It was this uncontrollable situation that inspired the lyrics for D-DAY’s seventh track, “Polar Night.” Agust D raps over a relaxed beat about the dangers of hypocrisy in today’s social and political climate. It’s critical without being overly aggressive or accusatory. Instead, “Polar Night” opens the floor for further conversation with the repeated sentiment, “It is all dirty (Am I also clean?) / It is all dirty (Are you clean?).” He recognizes that we are all a part of a flawed system, one where we must participate in order to survive. 

“Interlude: Dawn”

No Agust D album would be complete without some type of interlude. This time around, “Interlude: Dawn” is completely free of lyrics, but the composition speaks for itself. The track sounds more like a film score than a simple interlude. Everything is unexpected, yet beautifully made, right down to the guitar solo. Fans noticed that the credits of “Interlude: Dawn” list Agust D as the sole performer. Meaning that, yes, this album features an electric guitar solo from Agust D himself. For anyone who was able to score tickets for his upcoming tour, you might just be lucky enough to witness it live.

“Snooze” (feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto, Kim Woosung of The Rose)

Now would be a good time to grab a box of tissues if you haven’t already. “Snooze” is one of the most emotional tracks on the album for a number of reasons. Firstly, it features the late Ryuichi Sakamoto. He was a Japanese composer and producer who Yoongi looked up to as a fellow artist and mentor. He fought a long battle with cancer before passing away on March 28 of this year. The two were luckily able to meet before his passing, which is shown in the documentary, SUGA: Road to D-DAY. “Snooze” also features Kim Woosung of The Rose, an incredible vocalist and one of Yoongi’s dear friends.

The second tear-jerking factor can be found in the lyrics. “Snooze” serves as a message to younger artists, and perhaps even Agust D’s past self. The talented trio encourages listeners to reach for their dreams while simultaneously assuring them that it’s okay to take a break from time to time. Agust D reminds us that the path he walked was not always filled with flowers. He recognizes his past mistakes and begs those following his footsteps to avoid the pitfalls that he couldn’t. Min Yoongi ran forward for over 10 years despite the countless obstacles and prejudices he faced along the way. Both SUGA and Agust D repeated the sentiment, “If you’re going to crash, accelerate even harder,” but the Agust D of today is more self-aware. He instead promises the aspiring idols, “if you’re afraid to crash, I’ll willingly receive you.” To take it a step further, the song ends with lyrics from “so far away” from his very first mixtape:

“Dream, I will be there for your creation

Until the end of your life

Dream, wherever you might be

It will be lenient

Dream, you will fully bloom

After all the hardships

Dream, your beginnings will seem humble

So prosperous will your future be”

“Life Goes On”

Agust D and SUGA finally become one in the final track, “Life Goes On.” Agust D closes out the album with his demo for the title track from BTS’s 2020 album, BE. The album was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the cancellation of the group’s world tour and all related activities. It’s written as an open letter to BTS and ARMY, who have been running alongside him since their debut in 2013. The lyrics contain his original verse from the song and go on to share his fears for the future. Just like he stated in “eight” and “People Pt.2,” forever is a fragile sandcastle. There’s no way to predict when things will change or what exactly the future has in store. One day we’re here, and the next we’re washed away by the ebbing tide. Instead of asking for something with no guarantee, Agust D shares just one wish: “Please don’t forget to find me.”

Edited by Deshalia Murray