Music 4 Healing: Agust D

11 minutes read time

Welcome to the second installment of the Music 4 Healing series. Music has a way of providing words and comfort to emotions and experiences that we can’t muster ourselves. Through this series, I will explore the discographies of select artists and analyze the messaging of their music. To heal is to “become sound or healthy”. Taste in music is subjective and thus the healing that people gain from different artists are different as well. Each installment will represent artists of different genres, styles, and stories to share.

Agust D’s musical expression is a testament to his artistic authenticity and depth. His lyrics offer a rare blend of personal introspection and societal commentary, setting him apart in both K-Pop and the broader music industry. The raw transparency in his work provides listeners with an intimate glimpse into his psyche, while simultaneously encouraging self-reflection.

Whether he’s performing with his BTS bandmates, pursuing solo projects, or producing for other artists, Min Yoongi’s genuine artistry consistently shines through. His lyricism serves as a powerful tool for introspection and healing, resonating deeply with audiences. In this analysis, we’ll explore the introspective elements present in select Agust D songs, examining how they contribute to personal growth and emotional healing.

Disclaimer for those not familiar with K-Pop and AgustD: When he’s promoting his solo music he goes by AgustD. When he’s with his group, BTS, he goes by the stage name, Suga. His real name is Min Yoongi. Please don’t be confused if you see me refer to him differently throughout the article.

so far away (ft. SURAN)

The idea of not having dreams is a concept discussed multiple times in BTS’s music. Their debut song, No More Dream is even based on this idea. so far away captures the feeling that I personally am going through right now as I try to make the transition from graduate student to a worker in the job force. 

Society doesn’t create room for people who don’t exactly know what they want to do with their lives. There’s an almost predestined path established of going to school, getting a job, and contributing to society. This expectation is ingrained through childhood questions like “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. However, this linear progression doesn’t account for those who are uncertain about their life goals.

Yoongi speaks to this point in the opening verse of the song: 

“It sucks when you don’t have anything you want to do

I know that it seems pathetic

To not have a dream like everyone

‘Everything’s going to be alright if you go to university

And do as we tell you’

I’m the asshole for believing those words

I’m living because I can’t die”

. People who deviate from this are often looked down upon. “Everyone is running but why am I the only one still here?”. It can feel isolating to feel as though you are stagnant while others are progressing.  

Analyzing this song through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs brings a few different themes to mind.  Finding purpose, happiness, a dream all fall under the self-actualization tier on the chart. The bottom tiers all align with our physiological needs like food, shelter, etc. Naturally, we as humans seek to fulfill these needs first. “The higher up the hierarchy, the more difficult it is to satisfy the needs associated with that stage, because of the interpersonal and environmental barriers that inevitably frustrate us” (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs). If self-actualization is the highest tier on the original Hierarchy of Needs, does this mean that we as a society prioritize things such as status and relationships over happiness and self-fulfillment? 

The song challenges the notion that everyone should follow the same life path. It highlights the need for society to create space for individuals who are still discovering their purpose, suggesting that uncertainty and exploration are valid parts of the human experience. One weakness of the Hierarchy of Needs is the assumption that everyone prioritizes the same way. 

Nevermind

Although this song is a BTS song and featured as the intro track for the mini album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt. 2, this song is primarily performed by Suga with RM and J-hope joining towards the end of the song. My first time listening to a snippet of this song was through an Introduction to Bangtan video on YouTube. I remember I was trying to learn about all the members that made up the group I had just found and this song was played during Yoongi’s (Suga’s) introduction. The video mentioned that Yoongi was known for sharing his experiences through his music and that was evident through the snippet of this song that was played and also a snippet of his song, The Last. While it took me a while to finally get around to listening to this song in full (BTS’s discography is massive), I remember being really touched by what Yoongi was saying in the song. 

Not only is the messaging so clearly about inspiring young people to push towards their aspirations without being brought down by opposition, but the lyrics blend inspirational words with Yoongi’s personal journey of overcoming doubters. He masterfully weaves in words meant to inspire with his own journey of overcoming doubters and naysayers. J-hope and RM’s lines at the end further urge fans to ‘nevermind’ the negativity that life or people throw your way. The end of the song picks up to an almost rallying cry. 

J-Hope: Never mind, never mind/No matter how thorny the road is, run

RM: Never mind, never mind/There are lots of things in the world that you can’t help/You better

Yoongi: Never mind, never mind/If you feel like you’re going to crash then accelerate more, you idiot/Never mind, never mind/We’re too young and immature to give up, you idiot/Never mind

With such powerful and inspiring lyrics, it’s no surprise that Jimin, Yoongi’s bandmate, has the word “NEVERMIND” tattooed on his ribcage, directly reflecting the song’s lyric: “Never mind / It’s not easy but engrave it onto your chest.”

Strange ft. RM

The word that can best describe this collaboration between AgustD and RM is mind-blowing. There is a lot to say about this song and how it has led me to reflect not only on myself but society as a whole. However, I’ll start by talking about the genius structure of the song. The pre-chorus occurs twice in the song. The first time, AgustD is raising questions about the “strange” world we live in. The second time the pre-chorus comes around, RM responds to AgustD with his own personal thoughts. Light blue is AgustD’s lyrics and is black RM’s lyrics. 

In a sick world, a person that is well

I don’t think it’s strange that he is treated a mutant

In a world with its eyes closed, a person with theirs open

Isn’t it strange how now they are made blind

In a world with its eyes closed, a person with theirs open

I think it’s more strange that only they have theirs open

Someone who wishes for peace, someone who wishes for war

Isn’t it strange how they are each at the extremes of their ideologies

Someone who wishes for peace, someone who wishes for war

The wordplay that changes as easy as the flipping of a palm

They tell you to have dreams, though no one has it

There are no answers, isn’t it strange

It’s the kind of world where a dream has become an option, but

There’s no answer, that’s the answer

Strange is a beautifully poetic critique of contemporary society’s norms. It challenges what is perceived as normal within society. Through their verses, AgustD and RM explore the paradoxes of modern life, questioning the acceptance of suffering and polarization as everyday occurrences. The artists highlight the absurdity of accepting harmful or divisive practices as commonplace. Their lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where lies obscure truth, peace-seekers are marginalized, and dreams have become optional. By juxtaposing these observations against the recurring question “Isn’t it strange?”, Agust D and RM invite listeners to critically examine the state of the world and their place within it.

In this song, another striking argument is made about the impact of capitalism on society. The above quote comes from RM’s verse. Though I admittedly don’t follow this topic too heavily, I reflected on the power that material things have on society today. Consumer culture runs rampant, to the point that we place more value in things than in people, morals, and ethics. 

Dear My Friend ft. Kim Jong Wan

I actually didn’t know this song existed until I listened to this song in preparation for this article. I’m not sure how I passed over it in the past but from the first listen, I began reflecting on some of my past friendships. There are so many emotions that AgustD vocalizes in this song. There’s nostalgia, regret, and a range of conflicting emotions. There is something so uniquely polarizing about the loss of a friendship. 

“Was it you who changed? Or was it me? Uh

I hate this flowing time, it’s us who changed

Hey, I hate you, hey, I don’t like you

Hey, even as I say these words, I miss you”

This type of heartbreak is not always an easy emotion to find expressed in music. Especially not when compared to the loss of a romantic relationship. Having gone through the loss of friendship a few times in the past, I wish I’d known about this song sooner. While the song doesn’t offer easy solutions, it validates the complex emotions associated with lost friendships. It acknowledges that sometimes, despite our best efforts to understand what went wrong, we may never get clear answers. The process of accepting this reality and moving forward, while cherishing the memories of the friendship, is a challenging but necessary part of personal growth.

Again, with this song, I’m impressed with the emotional and personal depth that AgustD displayed.

Snooze (feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto & WOOSUNG of The Rose)

For me, this song is a little different from the others on this list. Snooze stands out as a heartfelt message to younger artists in the music industry. Released in April 2023 as part of his album “D-Day,” the song shows Yoongi’s desire to support and encourage his juniors. The track features collaborations with renowned composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and WOOSUNG of The Rose (love him!), adding depth to its musical landscape. In the song, Yoongi addresses the challenges of pursuing one’s dreams, acknowledging the difficulties while offering reassurance. 

He emphasizes the importance of rest, telling listeners it’s okay to take breaks and even “snooze” on their journey. This sentiment aligns with his comments in the Disney+ documentary “Road to D-Day,” where he expresses his hope that the song will give strength to younger artists facing the demanding nature of the industry. 

“I wrote the kind of things I wanted to tell my juniors. I wanted them to hear this song and have some strength”. 

Yoongi assures his juniors that he’ll be there to catch them if they’re afraid of falling, encouraging them not to suffer as he did.

Even though we, as the greater audience, aren’t his music industry juniors, there is so much to take from this song. When we pursue our dreams, we should work as hard as we can to reach our goals but also care for ourselves. Identify the people in our lives who support and believe in our journeys to achieving our dreams.

This article only scratches the surface of what AgustD has to offer. As an ARMY, I naturally love to listen to all BTS-related music. As a human, I needed the lessons and perspective that AgustD gives his listeners.

For more introspective AgustD music, click here to listen to my curated AgustD playlist.