Suga of K-pop boy group BTS noted how expensive houses are in the Bay Area during the group’s final concert in Stanford on Tuesday, May 19.
The Chosunilbo JNS/ImaZins via Getty Images
“Run BTS” became a reality when one of the K-pop boy band members joined thousands of runners during San Francisco’s Bay to Breakers over the weekend.
BTS rapper Min Yoongi, whose stage name is Suga, got a 12K run in before taking the stage on Sunday, May 17, for the group’s second concert of its three-day sold-out stint at Stanford Stadium.
He finished the race in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 43 seconds, averaging 8:41 per mile, according to post-race stat keeper Laurel Intelligence. He ranked 1,022nd place out of 20,530 overall, or the top 5%.
Article continues below this ad
In its post-race remarks, Laurel Intelligence reported, “He maintained a consistent pace until Hayes Hill. Interestingly, after Hayes Hill, each subsequent mile split improved. The pace progressively returned to the lower 8:20 min/mile range.”
Photos and video of the K-pop superstar hitting the pavement at the colorful and irreverent 12K race went viral overnight.
San Francisco Chronicle Logo
Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search.
Add Preferred Source
Dressed in a black running top and gray shorts, Suga had a mini-camera perched on his hat, sparking speculation among fans that the experience may be turned into content for the group’s vlog.
Article continues below this ad
During a post-concert Weverse stream on Tuesday, May 19, fellow BTS members RM, V, Jimin and J-Hope sipped sodas and nibbled on snacks, commenting on Suga’s fitness and persistence in pursuing whatever interests him.
“You know how he is. Once he gets into something, he just goes all out,” BTS singer and dancer Jimin said.
During their week in the Bay Area, BTS members emerged from their hotel often to enjoy the local culture, with visits to California’s Great America, Redwood City’s Vesta pizza, the “Crying Tree” on Stanford campus and the Hub Silicon Valley pickleball club in Campbell.
“It’s been over a week that we’re staying in Stanford, and what an amazing city here,” Suga told the crowd, with aid from a translator, toward the end of the group’s final Stanford Stadium show on Tuesday.
Article continues below this ad
Suga — a millionaire and a minority stakeholder and investor in the Oakland A’s, now called the Athletics — particularly addressed targeted ads and the local housing market.
“Google is kinda creepy, because while we were staying here, YouTube is now giving me house ads for the city — and the houses look kinda expensive here,” he noted. “But with good weather and good people here, I think we had a great concert, so I’m very, very happy. Especially today, I really can’t forget today. Thank you everyone, and see you next time.”
BTS heads to Las Vegas for four dates this Memorial Day weekend, Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24, and Wednesday-Thursday, May 27-28, as part of its ongoing “Arirang” world tour.
In between those concerts, BTS is also expected to make its first awards show appearance in four years at the 52nd American Music Awards on Monday, May 25. This marks a milestone for the 11-time AMA winners, who made their U.S. television performance debut at the 2017 AMAs, becoming the first Korean group to perform on the show.
Article continues below this ad
BTS has a chance to add to their trophy collection this year, with three nominations for the artist of the year, song of the summer (for “Swim”) and best male K-pop artist categories.
Todd Inoue is a freelance writer.