[Album Review] HAPPY (1st Mini Album) – JIN (BTS)

Over a year ago, JIN made his first solo comeback since his 2022 military enlistment with his first solo mini-album, HAPPY. It is finally time to review the mini-album and all the songs that are featured on it, including the pre-release I’ll Be There and the title track Running Wild (links below, as usual). Per my rating below, I am quite impressed with the entire mini-album, with half the songs on the mini-album earning a 10/10 rating from me. I will admit I am easy to satisfy, but JIN really blew me away with these tracks and HAPPY overall. A definite, highly recommended album from me.

Before HAPPY, JIN made his solo debut with the digital single The Astronaut. More recently, JIN made a quick solo comeback just 6 months after the release of this mini-album, the subject of this review, with his second mini-album ECHO and title track Don’t Say You Love Me.

1. Running Wild (Title Track) –  (8.5/10)

2. I’ll Be There (Pre-Release Track) – (8/10)

3. Another Level – Throughout this year, I have been working to an ‘epic music’ playlist, which mainly consists of cinematic instrumentals or dramatic covers of songs. Upon relistening to Another Level for this post, this can easily fit into the scope of that playlist. The intensity and power of the rock instrumentation has a ‘keeps me on the edge of my seat’ vibe, and I appreciate that JIN gives it his all to keep up with the epic nature of the backing. I also like the calculated filtering of his vocals behind autotune, which just heightens the appeal of the song. (10/10)

4. Falling (네게닿을때까지) – I really enjoyed JIN’s vocals in Falling, especially the oomph he gives to the chorus. The rock instrumentation is straightforward and very pure, with the modern style really complementing JIN’s voice. A Japanese version of Falling was released shortly after the mini-album dropped, featuring TAKA (one of the song’s writers). For me, the Japanese version had a bit more impact, especially in the choruses, which is why I nominated it for Best International Song by a Korean Artist (Japanese) of 2025. But that doesn’t mean the Korean version is anything less. (10/10)

5. Heart on the Window (ft. WENDY of Red Velvet) – JIN moves us into a blend of acoustic and pop percussion territory with Heart on the Window. He also joins forces with WENDY, who, as we all know, is an amazing vocalist. JIN holds up well alongside WENDY – I did have a concern that he could have been outdone in his own song. But that didn’t occur. In fact, Heart on the Window did not disappoint. Their harmonies and the song’s melodies were beautiful. I did feel the song was rather short, and I felt JIN was only getting started by the time it wrapped up. (8/10)

6. I Will Come To You (그리움에) – Finishing up the mini-album is the ballad I Will Come To You. As a song written for fans by JIN himself, I recommend you check out the lyrics (and a translation, if Korean is not your native language). It was so lovely to read, and it put a smile on my face – I am sure fans find it a very warm hug from JIN. As for the ballad, it simply features JIN’s heartfelt vocals and a simple piano accompaniment. To me, this helped make I Will Come To You feel much more profound and made JIN sound much more present. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.1/10