Nearly two years after leaving fans with the single “The Astronaut” before entering his mandatory South Korean military enlistment, Jin of BTS has returned with his first solo EP “Happy.” The last member of K-pop’s premier group BTS to release a solo album, the highly anticipated “Happy” is the alt pop rock album that BTS fans (also known collectively as ARMY) hoped it would be and more.
“Happy” is a cohesive, 6-track album that leans heavy into nostalgic rock vibes and showcases Jin’s impressive range and immaculate voice. With an emphasis on the live band feel, every single song would be absolutely stellar live. This album is solid and both well-conceived and well-executed. There are no skips, and my only complaint is that we need more. We need a full LP featuring rock Jin—and I will not rest until we get it!
Prioritizing the happiness of Jin’s fans
If “The Astronaut” was Jin’s mash note to fans, full of affection and promising a swift return, then “Happy” is a full-on declarative love letter, fiercely steadfast and trembling with hope that we are still waiting for him. From anyone else, the subject matter could seem like cynical pandering. Yet with Jin at the helm, “Happy” is sincere, on-brand, and like everything he does, used as an opportunity to express his love and unending support. It’s a joyful reunion at the end of a long season apart, as in love with us as before—if not more deeply, more fully, and with more maturity.
Over and over, Jin’s throughline in his songs, from “Moon” to “The Astronaut” to this entire album, is his steadfast love for ARMY and his determination to provide us comfort and joy. The peppy pre-release track “I’ll Be There” produced by MAX is a love song (and I mean love in all its myriad forms) where Jin vows to stay the same and be there for us forever. “Another Level” is a determined rock power ballad where Jin shares about how he’ll keep striving forward, no matter how difficult it gets. Not only is the song anthemic and inspiring, the guitar solo is sublime.
The album closes on the hauntingly spare fan song “I will come to you.” Jin’s gorgeous voice and the plaintive piano allow us to focus on Jin’s words. Many of the lyrics were gleaned from the thoughts and feelings he wanted to convey to his fans when he was in the military. It’s the perfect capstone to an album already full of love and comfort.
Beneath the joy, an undercurrent of worry and disquiet
What saves such a relentlessly happy album from coming off cloying and saccharine is the thread of melancholy and wistfulness skillfully woven through every track. “Happy” throbs with a deep yearning that is almost manic and desperate in feeling, like Jin is holding onto the full depth of his emotions with a tight leash.
Right out the gate, Jin sets the tone for the rest of the album with “Running Wild,” a New Wave track that plays on the uncertainty of an old love grown cold. Written by Gary Barlow of Take That, the song feels just on the edge of desperation. Out of fear that his lover has moved on, Jin entreats them to remember how they used to be, promising that they can rekindle their love until it’s as wild and unfettered as they used to be.
This worry continues, most notably in “Falling” and “Heart on the Window (with WENDY).”
In “Falling,” the indie rock song drives forward with well used whistling, guitar strumming, and an infectious chorus where Jin passionately screams, “I want you with my whole heart.” Written by Taka and Toru of J-rock band ONE OK ROCK, the lyrics belie the cheerful melody and hook. Throughout the verses, Jin is bewildered that the person he loves could possibly have no clue, that they are far apart in both physical and emotional distance.
As for the duet with Wendy of girl group Red Velvet, Jin is so generous with the feature. Not only does he set up Wendy to shine the most on the track, his backing vocals in his lower register perfectly buffet and support Wendy’s topline, giving her room to breathe and float above his steady vocals. The mix of their voices together is heaven, and the more I listen to “Happy,” the more I love this song the most.
The notorious fickle nature of K-pop fans
This underlying anxiety is understandable.
In the K-pop world, it is common knowledge that the average lifespan of boy bands is 7 years, and they are most vulnerable when the group has to pause their activities due to members serving their mandatory South Korean military service of at least 18 months. Unlike in western pop where artists and groups often go years between releasing new music, the K-pop music cycle is fast and groups often have new music or albums to promote every 3 to 5 months.
As a result, many groups lose fans when their members can be on hiatus for 3 to 7 promotional cycles. With an average of 83 groups debuting every year since 2020 (with 83 groups in 2024 so far), the competition for fans is intense. This doesn’t even factor in how as idols age, fans often jump ship to younger groups.
So much can happen in a year and a half, is it any wonder that Jin was a little bit worried?
From peripheral observer to active pursuer
While Jin’s throughline has always been his love for ARMY, even in that love, there was always a distance. “Happy” shows how his love has changed him. You can see the trajectory from his solo songs “Moon,” “Abyss,” and “The Astronaut” to his album “Happy.”
We start from “Moon” where Jin compares himself to the moon and ARMY to the Earth, loving us in far remove, wondering if we even see him. Like the moon, Jin has expressed how he only wants to show his fans the bright side of himself, keeping his shadows close to his chest.
After the record-breaking success of “Dynamite” and “Butter” in 2020, Jin released “Abyss” because he was dealing with major imposter syndrome, feeling like he didn’t deserve the heaping accolades. In it, he also wrote how though he wants to get closer, his voice doesn’t come out. “The closer I get to you, the more I become breathless / And it feels like you arе getting even furthеr away.”
Then, right before leaving for the military, Jin releases “The Astronaut” where he says he loves us, to please wait for him, and he’ll be back.
And now, after spending 18 months in the military, he releases “Happy.” He’s back, he loves us, but he’s not sure if we still love him. Yet even in the midst of his uncertainty, he is unabashed in his love for us. Instead of sitting back and wondering about us like he did in “Moon,” he is brave and confesses first. Yes, there is still some distance like “Heart on the Window,” but he’s falling forward, he’s taking steps closer, he’s coming to us.
To be loved by Jin is precious.
“Happy” is a kind, genuine hug at the end of a rough day. The mood, lyrics, and melodies are full of encouragement, energy, and the promise of a hug tomorrow and all the tomorrows after. No matter what, Jin will be there.
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