Over the past year, the members of BTS have showcased their distinct musical colors through successful solo endeavors. Starting with J-Hope last summer and most recently V, their solo releases have made impressive entries into the Billboard charts, continuing the group's global influence.
BTS announced last June that they would be taking a break from group activities to focus on solo projects. The members have since been actively involved in their album production, infusing their unique musical styles. Their solo ventures have not only included album releases but also solo tours, global collaborations, and festival appearances, demonstrating their limitless potential.
BTS J-Hope, Jin, RM (from left)
J-Hope kicked things off in July of the previous year with his debut solo album 'Jack In the Box', delivering intense hip-hop vibes. This March, he released the single 'On the Street' featuring J. Cole, continuing his dynamic solo journey. Known for his cheerful image within the group, J-Hope surprised fans with a hip-hop twist. Upon the release of "Jack In the Box", he mentioned, "I wanted to show a new side of me, a more mature side, and also have fun with it."
His pre-release track "MORE" ranked 82nd on Billboard's Hot 100, while the title track 'Arson' secured the 96th spot, marking a double entry into the Hot 100. His collaboration 'On the Street' also achieved the 60th position. Moreover, J-Hope headlined the main stage at the major U.S. music festival 'Lollapalooza', performing 20 songs solo and captivating audiences with his overwhelming energy.
Jin, with his military enlistment approaching, released the single "The Astronaut". This track, highlighting his vocals, encapsulated his unique sentimentality and ethereal vibe. Notably, Jin collaborated with the globally renowned band Coldplay, achieving a global milestone. The song entered the Hot 100 at 51st place. Additionally, he performed live during Coldplay's world tour "Music of the Spheres" in Buenos Aires, Argentina, drawing significant attention.
Leader RM released his first solo album "Indigo". Representing the team's color, RM's 'Indigo' showcased his unique sentimentality. Having previously shown his strong rap skills, RM melted his past mixtape sentiments into this official solo album. He described it as "a kind of diary that contains my emotions, concerns, and thoughts." The title track "Wildflower Play" entered the Hot 100 at 83rd place, and the album itself ranked 3rd on the Billboard 200. With RM recently unveiling an unreleased track during Suga's solo concert, anticipation is high for his future solo endeavors.
BTS Jimin, Suga, Jungkook, V (from left)
Jimin released his debut solo album "FACE" in March, reflecting on his past and expressing a myriad of emotions. The title track "Like Crazy" captured attention with Jimin's signature vocals and poignant sentimentality. Notably, he set a new K-pop record by achieving 1st place on the Hot 100 with "Like Crazy". This marked the first time a male idol song released that year topped the chart, solidifying his popularity both domestically and internationally. He also won "Song of the Summer" at the "2023 MTV Video Music Awards".
Suga released his new solo album "D-DAY" in April, completing the trilogy that began with his mixtapes "Agust D" and "D-2". Suga, who has consistently shared his story both as a member of BTS and as a solo artist, said he put extra effort into this album as it was the final message he wanted to convey as Agust D. With this album, he achieved 58th on the Hot 100 and 2nd on the Billboard 200, marking his highest solo achievements. Furthermore, he embarked on his first solo world tour, performing in 10 cities over three months, attracting a total of 290,000 attendees.
Jungkook released the solo track "Seven (feat. Lato)" in July, introducing a trendy song infused with the UK garage genre and addictive melodies. He mentioned that "Seven" was a fresh challenge in a new genre. The song created a global sensation, debuting at the top of the Hot 100 and maintaining its position for five consecutive weeks. It also topped the Melon Top 100, becoming the first male idol song of the year to do so, and garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally.
Lastly, V took the baton this month with the release of his debut solo album "Layover", actively promoting with the title track "Slow Dancing". V has consistently shown interest in genres like jazz and R&B, and this pop R&B-based solo album perfectly blended his unique characteristics and sentiments. V emphasized that the album "reflects 100% of my taste" and was a labor of love to show his true colors.
V's bold endeavor also reaped significant rewards. "Layover" sold over 2.1 million copies in its first week (according to Hanteo Chart), setting a record for the highest initial sales by a male solo artist. 'Slow Dancing' entered the Hot 100 at 51st place, and 'Layover' ranked 2nd on the Billboard 200.
As BTS entered their military hiatus, they embarked on solo projects, showcasing their individual musical tastes and solidifying their presence as solo artists. Continuing their momentum, BTS has renewed their contract with Big Hit Music and promised group activities in 2025. With the seven members proving their versatility in their solo endeavors, all eyes are on what they will bring to the table both as a group and as individual artists in the future.
