K-pop is a global phenomenon, and some fans will sure go above and beyond to show their adoration for their favourite stars. Whether you’re a K-pop fan or not, you probably know that when it comes to an idol’s special day, fans can go crazy to wish them a happy birthday.
From buying advertisement boards and gifts, to floods of social media messages, a K-pop star’s birthday rarely goes unnoticed. And in return, some of the celebrities also show their love back to their fans.
BTS’ Suga is high on the list of K-pop idols who’ve proved to be considerate and caring to fans, and as we celebrate his birthday today (March 9), we look back on the lavish gestures Suga has received, and how he’s responded.
Fans bought Suga an advertisement in New York’s Times Square
It may seem extravagant to some, but buying a billboard space in a busy city is actually a go-to method for fans to wish their idol a happy birthday. According to Koreaboo, fan club Baida Suga Bar from China organised a six-part celebration of Suga’s birthday in 2020, including a huge billboard advertisement on 42nd Street and 8th Avenue of Times Square in New York City.
But that’s not all – they also took over a total of 1,072 LED screens across nine Seoul subway stations. The group additionally organised displays at Lotte World theme park. Fans would visit these billboards to take pictures and share them on their social media, spreading the word of Yoongi Day (taken from his Korean name Min Yoongi) even further.
Fans prepared a hot air balloon for “happy Suga day”
Suga’s fans know how to get creative, and they don’t limit themselves to the streets. It was reported that the same fan group took to the skies. Last year, “Birthday Project #8” comprised of a floating hot air balloon at the Seoul Marina Club & Yacht, deemed as a meaningful place as the fan event Army With Letter took place there in 2019. From March 7 to 9, the hot air balloon showed a banner saying “Saranghae”, which means “I love you” in Korean, with “Happy Suga Day” alongside. It’s said to be the first hot air balloon birthday event hosted in Korea for a Korean idol.
Fans brought Suga’s music studio Genius Lab to the streets of Seoul
When fans made a life-sized recreation of Suga’s music studio – known as Genius Lab – and brought it to the streets of Hongdae, Seoul, last year, it earned the title of Korea’s largest outdoor birthday exhibition. The replica showed every detail of Suga’s home studio, from the speakers and keyboard to the microphone and Suga’s 93 baseball blue jersey, which stands for his birth year 1993.
Suga kept the promise he made to fans on his birthday
Suga is also known for preparing events that surprise fans in return, too. For instance, during a fan meet-up in September 2014, Suga made a promise that he would treat the fans with Korean barbecue once he becomes more successful.
Suga kept his word, and on his 25th birthday in 2018, he donated Korean premium beef to multiple children facilities in the fan Army’s name as a way of keeping the promise. According to Allkpop, the total price of premium Korean beef that Suga donated is to be around 20 million won (around US$18,670).
He continues to donate money on his birthday. In 2019, he donated 100 million won (US$90,000) and over 300 dolls to treat paediatric cancer patients.
Suga presented handwritten letters, Polaroid photos and topped up Korean transport cards to his fans
Suga has also sent his love back to his fans with a personal touch. He prepared handwritten letters, Polaroid photos and also topped up Korean transport cards for Army fans in 2015.
In the BTS episode released on their YouTube channel Bangtan TV, Suga is seen choosing the design of the envelopes and also debating what to write on the letters. It also shows Jimin helping out in topping up the new transport cards and taking Polaroid photos of Suga.
For this year, Suga has promised to do a live birthday broadcast
In a recent live video session, Suga gave updates on his recovery from Covid-19 and also talked about the behind the scenes of making Stay Alive, a soundtrack which he recently worked on with Jungkook.
During the live session he said, “What will I do on my birthday? The day after is concert day so I don’t think I can do much haha.” But he said it will definitely be special, as he promised to Army fans that he will hold a live video session on his birthday. So for the star turning 29, and all his fans alike, happy Suga day!
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