Song Review: Jin (BTS) – I’ll Be There

BTS’s Jin marks a big milestone by being the first member to return from the military and release music. And, I’m not talking about his Super Tuna from a few weeks ago! He’s ready to unveil an entire album, led by pre-release I’ll Be There. And with names like Gary Barlow and Arcades on the song credits, it seems that we’re in for a similar vibe as his soft-rock, Coldplay-assisted The Astronaut from 2022.

I’ll Be There bounds forward with plenty of upbeat, optimistic energy. It’s a classic consolation/cheering song, which may seem like an overly simplistic approach. However, this kind of music is deceptively tricky to pull off. There’s such a fine line between “uplifting” and “annoying commercial jingle selling fake fun.” This is what got BTS’s own Permission To Dance in such trouble. I’ll Be There pulls off its balancing act better than that song, but still feels a bit contrived and jingle-y to me.

On the plus side, Jin’s voice suits this style of polished pop rock perfectly. There’s a warmth to his performance that’s convincing even when the song itself isn’t. He clearly enjoys this sound and that love bursts through the speakers. The instrumental has a jangly, percussive personality with shades of indie rock and an incessantly upbeat, clap-along vibe. I’m not a fan of the repetitive chorus, though. It feels too on the nose, which is what gives it that cynical, boardroom-approved sheen you often hear in advertisements. Nevertheless, I can easily imagine I’ll Be There becoming inescapable over the next few weeks.

Grade: C+