It’s a big week for the K-Pop industry, as many groups from JYP, SM and HYBE Entertainment labels released comebacks over the past week. Under JYP Entertainment, nine member girl-group TWICE released their new album titled “Ready to Be” featuring title track “Set Me Free.” From SM Entertainment, Kai from the group EXO finally released his third solo album entitled “Rover.” Both albums are fantastic and definitely deserve a listening-to. However, the main topic of discussion will be the release of Jimin from BTS’ first solo album. To further understand the purpose of Jimin’s release, some backstory is necessary.
For reference, the seven members of BTS have each been diving into their solo projects, since their request to cancel an exemption for mandatory military service. As required by the South Korean government, all men over the age of eighteen must enlist for military service, unless approved for an exemption for reasons such as disabilities. Since BTS has greatly contributed to the South Korean economy through their global impact, their label, HYBE Entertainment, submitted request for exemption. After much debate, the members of the group decided for themselves to withdraw their label’s request and commit to their duty to serve their country and put all group activities on-hold in June 2022. As each member departs for their service one-by-one, the other members have been preparing solo albums and other projects. Prior to the eldest member, Kim Seokjin, departing for military service, he released his first solo single in collaboration with Coldplay. This insinuated the trickle-effect that with each member’s solo release will be followed to their departure for enlistment.
On March 24th, BTS member Park Jimin released his first solo album. To say the least, this album took the K-Pop industry by storm being the first soloist to sell over one million albums in one day. With the incredibly written dark, expressive lyrics and very unique sound never done before in the K-Pop industry, this album, titled “FACE,” is more than deserving of its #1 spot on the charts right now and by far the best album I have ever listened to. “FACE” features his title tracks “Set Me Free Pt. 2” and “Like Crazy.” The “Set Me Free Pt. 2” music video features Jimin with a German phrase from “Iche lebe mein Leben in wachsenden Ringen” Rainer Maria Rilke painted all over his torse, reading: “I live my life in ever-widening circles that stretch themselves out over all things. I won’t, perhaps, complete the last one, but I intend on trying. I circle around God, around the ancient tower, and I circle for thousands of years; and I don’t know yet: Am I a falcon, a storm, or a mighty song.” These words painted on Jimin indicate how the song can be interpreted as Jimin setting himself free from the persona that the industry forced him to be over the past 10 years and discovering his individuality, aside from just being “Jimin of BTS,” he is learning about his dark inner-self. This leads into his music video for “Like Crazy” featuring a woman mirroring Jimin throughout the video. As many were led to believe the woman was supposed to be interpreted as an ex-girlfriend, it actually pinpoints how he cannot rid himself of this other side of himself that he had suppressed over the course of his time in the industry, but now understanding that he cannot escape his inner-self and is learning how to live with it. Also featured on this album are “Alone” and hidden track only found on physical copies, “Letter.” Both of these are beautifully written with a more solemn tone also touching on the softer parts of Jimin’s inner-self struggles. “Letter” even features Jung Kook, the lead vocalist of BTS, in back vocals and on guitar.
Along with his promotions of the album, Jimin made an appearance on The Jimmy Fallon Show to discuss the work going into his solo project and gave his first live solo performance of “Like Crazy.”
Just a few days following Jimin’s release of “FACE,” the album charted #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, as well as #1 on the World Albums Chart. His title track “Set Me Free Pt. 2” reached #1 on iTunes in over 100 countries officially becoming the fastest song to chart at the top spot in history. Additionally, Jimin became the first ever South Korean solo artist to peak at #1 on Spotify’s global charts and sell over 1 million album copies in less than one day. Jimin has officially made history as a global phenomenon soloists in the Korean music industry.
Overall, as “FACE” is a glimpse to his most inner struggles over the past several years, Jimin’s remarkable album will forever be leaving an imprint in K-Pop history.
