Jin's official first and last solo activity was the single 'The Astronaut' released in October 2022, before his enlistment. Jin was the first member to be discharged, decorating the last wave of BTS' military service. And it seems that he has been waiting for this opportunity and has fully utilized it. From
his schedule of 'BTS FESTA' the day after his discharge in June of this year, where he only rested for 8 days , to the EP and music video containing 6 songs released before the new year, there is no gap. What is interesting is that this forced march itself and even the message of the album are based on Jin's thoughts in various interviews and are sincere. He wants those who like him to be happy, and he is a happy person because of that. And the title of the album is 'Happy'. At first glance, this consistency seems like a virtue that K-pop artists usually display. But from the fact that he originally dreamed of being an actor but now wants to be in a team forever, to the fact that he prioritized the theme he wanted to talk about in 'Happy' and chose the band sound that best fits it, any doubts that anyone might have had about this being a professional message are overshadowed by his consistency. Whether as a member of a team or a solo artist, what he wants to do the most is always the same.
What about the music in 'Happy'? He also showed his approach to modern band music in 'The Astronaut', which featured Coldplay and Kygo. However, not many people even thought of the genre keyword rock because of the unique strengths of beautiful voice and ballad. Jin challenges an area we didn't know about in many ways with 'Happy'. 'Running Wild' is produced by Gary Barlow, who was the musical center of Take That, and uses a lively pop-rock sound. The most impressive part is the arrangement of the band sound, which takes a step back from the vocals but has a sense of space, and sounds like a real performance, not a digital sample. On this stage, Jin's various vocal ranges and singing techniques are given ample room to show off their charms according to the progression of the song and the heightening of emotions. And the music video focuses on capturing beautiful moments until the end, not a dystopia, even when the world is falling apart. At this level, it's the best they can do to be happy. If 'Running Wild' smoothly employs the typical rock sound from a pop artist's perspective, the entire album sounds like a variation or exploration of it.
The first song to be released, 'I'll Be There', is an accessible rockabilly style, and the music video shows a variety of people being drawn to Jin's performance and completing a huge festival. The speed of editing is exquisite, as is the song itself, in presenting a new typical character and making them agree with the message of the song. As in the lyrics, "Smile brightly so that everyone can be happy." 'Another Level' sees the potential of alternative-stadium rock, combining various genre elements to elicit emotional uplift. It is natural to imagine Jin singing this song on a large stage with flashy effects. 'Until I Reach You' features ONE OK ROCK's Takawa Toru, making it the most modern indie rock track on the album. 'Heart on the Window', sung by Red Velvet's Wendy, is another highlight of the album. Isran's lyrics succinctly express emotions that start from the familiar image of a heart drawn on a steamy window. Two of the best vocalists in the entire K-pop scene deliver this with aplomb, creating a universal pop song, and a familiar ending with a piano ballad in a fan song like "Grieum-e."
'Happy' reiterates what BTS has been doing for the past two years. A solo project for an artist who has been in a team for a long time is often seen as an artistic ambition or a rite of passage. Both can produce great results. However, not all projects have to fall into one or the other, as many in the world easily attempt. There are countless good (or happy) points in the world. Jin may not be the only artist who has turned this obvious perception into musical output. However, he is certainly a rare case of not forgetting what he does, what kind of love he receives, and what he wants to give back. He recognizes the existence of his fans, speaks to them directly, and gathers great artists from the US, UK, Japan, and Korea to cohesively compose diverse sounds, and persuades with his own voice. As Jin hopes, it is a way to make the world a little better.
