With the release of Jin’s EP Happy, all BTS members have now released solo albums. Some of their solo efforts have leaned heavily into members’ songwriting, with raw, experimental, and introspective results. Other albums did not see members heavily involved in the writing process, but nevertheless reflected their distinct tastes and vibes. Regardless of the approach, each member has released work that cannot be mistaken for anyone else’s. Indeed, Happy is an album only Jin could make, encapsulating his own musical preferences (pop rock), highlighting his strengths, and reflecting his own core value of happiness.
The title Happy reflects Jin’s own personal philosophy of living in the present and seeking joy for himself and others. His pre-release single, the rockabilly “I’ll Be There,” rollicks with a bouncy energy fitting for the ‘happiness’ theme. With the chorus dominating the run time, its catchy hook of “oh oh oh” and “I’ll be there for you” repeats itself frequently, but feels reassuring and uplifting.
Title track “Running Wild,” an all-English pop rock track co-written and co-produced by Take That’s Gary Barlow, also exudes high energy, particularly in its upbeat instrumental intro. The song showcases Jin’s wide vocal range in a way rarely seen in BTS albums, utilizing his rich lower register in the verses and ascending to his falsetto in the chorus. The way Jin’s voice cascades through the song reflects the seemingly carefree nature of the lyrics:
We’ll be running wild
Loving ’til the sun is out
Running ’til there’s nothing left
‘Til our last breath
”Running Wild” portrays a ‘carpe diem’ approach to life, taking advantage of the present moment. The track’s cinematic MV presents a somewhat darker version of this philosophy, depicting Jin with a dog as the only living beings trying to survive an apocalypse…that is, until the reveal at the end that it was all a movie.
The “Running Wild” MV reflects that for an album called Happy, there is quite a bit of drama present—particularly in the anthemic “Another Level.” Jin stated in a special live stage that “Another Level” was inspired by video games, shown in the heavy synths at the beginning. Fittingly, he channels the intensity of a protagonist in an epic battle. The first verse portrays the frustrations of defeat as “days trapped in a hamster wheel.” Through it all, Jin vows “I will keep on fighting” with a sort of desperate strain in his voice. When the chorus drops, Jin’s voice soars defiantly over deep bass and percussion, urging perseverance. Meanwhile, the background vocals match this urgency, declaring, “We’ll bounce back and hit another level.”
Jin does not necessarily define happiness as unadulterated joy, but rather as an intentional choice one makes regardless of what circumstances life brings. In his view, such optimism can come from personal determination, as in “Another Level.” More often, however, it draws from connection with others—including romantic connection. “Falling,” co-written by Taka and Toru from Japanese rock band One OK Rock, portrays Jin falling for someone but lacking the courage to confess his feelings. Though seemingly relaxed with a whistling motif in the beginning, the song gradually grows more intense with Jin declaring “I want you” over fast-paced, intricate electric guitar.
Jin’s affections do not remain unrequited for long. The highlight of the album is the upbeat “Heart on the Window,” a collaboration with Red Velvet’s Wendy. Rather than simply featuring Wendy on a verse, the song feels like a true duet, with their voices layering and harmonizing with each other. The song keeps the verses very brief (3 lines), emphasizing the pre-chorus and chorus, which feature Jin and Wendy together. The focus on these sections draws the listener in to pay attention to the details. When they are not harmonizing, Jin is often delivering ad-libs to Wendy’s vocals. Their voices complement each other and mimic a couple who are starting to get in sync with one another.
Closing ballad “I Will Come to You” focuses on the relationship between Jin and his fans. Jin wrote and composed the song shortly after his return from military service. Set to gentle acoustic piano, the song depicts him missing ARMY when he enlisted in December 2022:
The day white snow fell
The day I left you
Hundreds of times a day
Those words that I say every day
I miss you so much
Hold me
Many artists write fan songs and include them as the final track on albums. While the inclusion of “I Will Come to You” may seem like an expected choice, it feels incredibly sincere coming from Jin. After all, he is a man who not only sings “I miss you so much / Hold me,” but personally greeted and hugged 1000 fans the day after his military discharge. Jin’s emotive vocal performance in “I Will Come to You” underscores the heartfelt love and gratitude he shows for his fans.
With Happy, Jin displays his distinct identity as a solo artist. Musically, the album highlights his considerable vocal versatility and his ability to sing in various genres, from rock anthems to piano ballads. Even more impressively, Happy effectively captures Jin’s own ethos that true happiness comes from embracing the present moment during life’s highs and lows, and from nurturing relationships with others. In doing so, he shows us not only his artistry, but his humanity.
(Billboard, YouTube. Lyrics via Genius [1][2][3]. Images via Big Hit/HYBE.)
English (US) · 