BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) member, Jimin, has unveiled the intricate process behind his first solo album, "FACE."
On October 23, through the global fan communication platform Weverse, Jimin presented "Jimin's Production Diary."
"Jimin's Production Diary" is a HYBE original documentary capturing Jimin's journey from the inception of his solo album "FACE" last year to its release on March 24. The documentary vividly portrays Jimin's collaborative efforts with fellow producers like Pdogg, and the various challenges they faced, ultimately overcoming them through music.
The catalyst for the documentary, "FACE," marks Jimin's first official solo album released 10 years after his debut as a BTS member in June 2013. It features a diverse set of 7 tracks, including the trap-soul genre "Face-off," the dreamy instrumental "Interlude: Dive," the synth-pop title track "Like Crazy," the pop ballad "Alone," hip-hop pre-release "Set Me Free Pt.2," an English version of "Like Crazy," and a hidden track "편지 (Letter)." Jimin mesmerized listeners with his uniquely soulful voice, traversing various genres.
Having successfully completed the album promotions, Jimin pondered, "Why did I create this album?" and spoke about his collaborations with the producers. Pdogg recalled their first interaction in May 2022, stating, "Jimin approached me asking if I could provide some tracks he wanted to work on. I decided I needed to be involved."
According to fellow producers, Jimin did not stick to a particular method and freely poured his emotions into melodies and lyrics. Pdogg explained, "Jimin would randomly play keys. There was a narrative and it developed progressively."
"FACE" is an album imbued with Jimin's genuine message. Aligning with the album's title, which means both 'face' and 'confront,' Jimin openly revealed various facets of himself. Especially during the past two years of the pandemic, he honestly conveyed the feelings he experienced, from emptiness to loneliness, lethargy, and fear. Yet, he also expressed his resolute intent to move forward.
Regarding the track "Face-off," Jimin said it was about feeling betrayed, expressing sentiments like, "I shouldn't have trusted people. It was my mistake. But I'm fine. I'm still here, and you're the ones who lost me."
The title track "Like Crazy" was inspired by the movie of the same name, which Jimin adores. Just like the movie, the song captures the feelings of loss and pain after a breakup, and the urge to escape reality. While working on the song, Jimin mentioned, "I do that even when I'm home alone. I keep pacing in circles, even while on the phone."
The track "Alone" reflects Jimin's sense of lethargy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jimin revealed that the track was the toughest to create, saying, "I wrote about how escaping is sometimes easier."
The hidden track "편지 (Letter)," available only on the physical album, is a tribute to the ARMY (BTS's official fan club). Jimin conveys his genuine feelings to fans through lyrics like, "I may be awkward in expressing, but I promise to convey this sincerely. Please stay by my side. I hope to reciprocate the immense love you've given."
"Letter" began from Jimin's genuine desire to deeply express his love for fans. He explained, "I posted on Weverse, but I felt my words weren't fully conveyed. Singing felt like a more genuine way to communicate."
This documentary also shone a light on the strong bond between BTS members. Leader RM provided lyric-writing advice to Jimin, and member Jungkook contributed vocals for the chorus of "Letter."
Upon reuniting in the recording studio, Jimin told Jungkook, "I've made a fan song, and I think it would be great if you could do the chorus. Our voices combined would bring the song to life." Watching Jungkook record, Jimin exclaimed, "This is amazing!"
Entering his 11th year since debut, Jimin remains a singer who continually strives for his music and cherishes his supportive fans. This sentiment aligns with the track "Set Me Free Pt.2," a declaration to free himself from internal struggles and to move forward.
Jimin recalled, "When I first reached out to Pdogg and returned to Korea, I was in a very low place..."
