BTS’ SUGA Talks About How “Blueberry Eyes” With Max Came To Be

In January 2020, American singer-songwriter MAX, whose full name is Max Schneider, embarked on a tour that brought him to Seoul, South Korea. During this visit, he had the opportunity to meet Min Yoongi, better known as SUGA from the globally renowned K-pop group BTS. This initial meeting laid the foundation for a collaborative relationship that would yield multiple musical projects.

The following month, in February 2020, BTS traveled to Los Angeles to promote their album “Map of the Soul: 7.” It was during this period that MAX and Suga’s acquaintance deepened. They spent time together enjoying activities such as sharing Korean BBQ meals and attending a Lakers game. These shared experiences fostered a mutual respect and understanding between the two artists, paving the way for future collaborations.

On May 22, 2020, SUGA, under his solo moniker Agust D, released his second mixtape titled “D-2.” Among the standout tracks on this mixtape was “Burn It,” which featured vocals by MAX. This collaboration marked their first official musical partnership, blending SUGA’s introspective rap verses with MAX’s emotive singing, resulting in a track that resonated with fans worldwide.

Building on the success of “Burn It,” MAX and Suga collaborated again on the song “Blueberry Eyes.” This track was included in MAX’s album “Colour Vision,” released later in 2020. In an interview with BuzzFeed, MAX revealed that he had sent SUGA the entire album, allowing him to choose any song he felt a connection with. SUGA gravitated towards “Blueberry Eyes,” indicating a particular affinity for this track. MAX expressed his gratitude and surprise, noting that he couldn’t envision the song without SUGA’s contribution once it was completed.

The creative process for “Blueberry Eyes” was notably collaborative despite the physical distance between the artists. MAX had already written the song and presented it to SUGA, who then crafted and recorded his rap verses in Korean. This seamless integration of English and Korean lyrics showcased their ability to transcend language barriers and create a harmonious blend of their distinct musical styles. MAX highlighted the ease of their collaboration, emphasizing the mutual respect and understanding that facilitated their creative synergy.

To visually represent their collaboration, MAX released a music video for “Blueberry Eyes” featuring himself and his wife, Emily. In a heartfelt gesture, the couple learned and performed SUGA’s Korean rap verses in the video, symbolizing the deep connection and appreciation between the collaborators. This inclusion not only honored SUGA’s contribution but also highlighted the song’s themes of love and unity.

Reflecting on their partnership, MAX acknowledged the profound impact of collaborating with an international artist like SUGA. He noted that the experience broadened his perspective on music’s universal language and the importance of emotional expression that transcends cultural boundaries. Their collaborations on “Burn It” and “Blueberry Eyes” exemplify how artists from diverse backgrounds can come together to create music that resonates globally.

The partnership between MAX and SUGA in 2020 was a testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration in music. From their initial meeting in Seoul to their joint projects on “Burn It” and “Blueberry Eyes,” their journey underscored the importance of mutual respect, artistic synergy, and the ability of music to bridge cultural divides. Their work not only delighted fans but also set a precedent for future collaborations between artists from different parts of the world.

“I just sent him the whole album. I basically said, ‘Here’s all the songs, you tell me what you want to be on, and I’ll make it work. I’m grateful to have you on any song.’ And he liked ‘Blueberry Eyes.’ I’d already written the song, so I think that probably helped the message, because it was very clear that there was a sweet, loving, dream world to it,” MAX

On Suga’s Korean lyrics MAX revealed that “We learned the entire Korean [verse], and those were our vows in our quarantine wedding. Of course, we threw a little cat in there to make it feel like Yoongi was part of it, because unfortunately he couldn’t be in the video — we wanted every bit of his spirit to be there, even though he wasn’t there,”

In an interview with Esquire “Explain this with BTS,” Suga finally talked about how the collaboration with MAX came about, he said ,

“Well, I first met MAX in Korea when he visited. He just had a great personality. And so I actually happened to be looking for someone to feature in my mix tape. “

“He collaborated with me there, so then I thought I should return the favor. So among the songs that we hoped to do together ‘Blueberry Eyes’ was one we ended up getting to do” Suga

 “You can tell that MAX has a special place in his heart for Suga” J-Hope

Watch the interview plus more BTS