Jin might be known to the world as “Mr. Worldwide Handsome,” but BTS‘ ARMY know him also as a focused, equally tender and powerful vocalist whose knack for ballad and rock songs have been displayed throughout the K-pop star’s career.
Starting by sharing his covers of popular Korean rock songs from the past through BTS’ SoundCloud account early in the group’s career, Jin grew his vocal prowess through the years and showed the music styles that spoke most to him. Later, the star got opportunities to share his ability to tell stories through songs in soundtrack singles for popular Korean dramas like Hwarang and Jirisan. In 2019, Jin released his first entirely original solo song, and he’s only continued to show further displays of his musical perspective. Even the super-silly, super-viral “Super Tuna” single that he dropped in 2021 speaks to Jin’s larger personality as someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously and how music can allow one to truly let loose.
Jin’s latest solo accomplishment comes via his new single “The Astronaut,” which features Jin and Coldplay as writers and composers on the track. The heartfelt rock track debuts at No. 51 on the Hot 100 dated Nov. 12, 2022, marking his first-ever credited solo entry while also acting as the top-selling song of the week (taking No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales and World Digital Song Sales charts). The remarkable chart feat is the latest step in Jin’s ongoing solo efforts that have been purposeful and pointed in their execution, slowly revealing the multifaceted artist that Jin is in his own right.
From covers to OSTs to special collaborations with his BTS band mates, read on for Jin’s best solo moments.
“I Love You” (2015)
A raw cover released early in his career, Jin’s take on “I Love You” (originally released by Korean band Mate in 2009) emphasized his knack for layering harmonies and powerful falsetto. The track is less than three minutes but displayed so much promise from the star on what was to come.
“Mom” (2015)
For Mother’s Day in 2015, Jin delivered a cover of a beloved K-pop song frequently played around the holiday. Originally released by singer-songwriter-producer Ra.D, Jin’s rich vocal performance on this SoundCloud upload was an early indicator of the star’s growing vocal power.
“Awake” (2016)
This stunning piano ballad felt like a pivotal moment for Jin to embrace his strengths as a vocalist. Fans remember his performance of the track on BTS’ Wings Tour as a standout moment with just the superstar and a piano.
“It’s Definitely You” With V (2017)
Recorded for the 2017 Korean drama Hwarang, Jin teamed up with his band member V (who also co-starred in the show) for this jazz and rock-infused duet. The track reached No. 8 on World Digital Song Sales, making them one of the first BTS members to enter the chart with their own credited solo track.
“So Far Away” With Suga & Jung Kook (2017)
Released initially by Suga on his 2016 August D mixtape, “So Far Away” featured vocals from singer Suran until the three BTS band mates came together for a new take on the moving track. In contributing new vocals alongside Jung Kook, Jin delivered riffs, belts, and harmonies in this re-work, with the final minute of the track truly letting the vocal duo shine.
“Epiphany” (2018)
Released as the focused track for BTS’ Love Yourself: Answer comeback trailer video, the gorgeous solo song speaks to the theme of the group’s Love Yourself series and shares the “epiphany” of celebrating and honoring one’s self. Through goosebump-inducing production, Jin declares, “I’m the one I should love in this world…I’m the one I should love,” undoubtedly helping become an anthem for millions of listeners in their journey to self-love.
“In Front of the Post Office in Autumn” (2018)
As part of the celebrations for BTS’ fifth anniversary in 2018, Jin dropped a cover of a ’90s song from Korea that once again show his early admiration for rock music. First released in 1994 by rock singer Yoon Do-hyun, “In Front of the Post Office in Autumn” got a modern, folky update from Jin in this cover that has nearly 20 million plays on the group’s official SoundCloud.
“Tonight” (2019)
Released as part of BTS’ sixth-anniversary celebrations, “Tonight” was Jin’s first entirely original solo song. Jin and RM wrote the acoustic R&B-pop track alongside longtime BTS collaborators Slow Rabbit and Hiss Noise, highlighting Jin’s airy falsetto over production that shifts from sparse guitar to an emotionally vibrant mix of piano and synthesizers. Listen here.
“Abyss” (2020)
To celebrate his birthday in 2020, Jin released the moving, personal ballad “Abyss,” which shared an honest look at his grappling with performance anxiety, insecurities, and burnout. This track was also written by Jin and RM, alongside longtime BTS producer Pdogg, and BUMZU, the latter which produced the song and is known for his heavy involvement with artists like SEVENTEEN and NU’EST.
“Moon” (2020)
Jin’s solo track off Map of the Soul: 7, “Moon” spotlighted his love of rock and pop while doubling as a dedication to BTS fans. It’s since become a representative song for BTS and ARMY, as Jin thinks of fans as the Earth and himself the moon—both of which can’t exist without the other, as the moon lovingly circling and watching over the Earth.
“Yours” (2021)
The main theme song for the Korean drama Jirisan, “Yours” helped the TV program debut to the highest-rated series premiere for Korea’s cable channel tvN. Jin expertly channeled the emotions of the drama through lyrics like, “Every night, I see you in my heart/ Every time I do, I end up crying” once again showing his ability to tell stories through song.
“Super Tuna” (2021)
Another birthday present for ARMY in 2021, Jin switched things up entirely with his super-fun, super-synth track “Super Tuna,” which became an unexpected viral hit even without streaming distribution on its initial release. The one-minute song was written and produced by Jin and BUMZU with “Super Tuna” and its accompanying choreography video taking a life of its own and garnering tons of covers across TikTok.
So far, “Super Tuna” has peaked at No. 4 on the weekly Hot Trending Songs Chart.
“The Astronaut” (2022)
As his first solo release in BTS’ “Chapter Two,” Jin reached out to friend and previous BTS collaborators Coldplay to help share an important message that fans have held on to tight. During a Coldplay concert, Chris Martin shared the song’s origins that came from Jin’s upcoming Korean military enlistment.
“About six months ago, one of their members called me up and he said, ‘I have to leave the band in December for two years and join the army in Korea because that’s the rules there. I need a song that says goodbye to everybody, for a little while, and tells them that I love them,’” Martin shared of a call with Jin.
Fans have genuinely connected to the message with “The Astronaut” becoming Jin’s first credited solo Hot 100 hit after debuting at No. 51 and becoming the top-selling song in America for the chart week dated Nov. 12, 2022.
