BTS fans got a jolt of fizzy energy in their ears on Friday (Oct. 25) with the release of Jin‘s pop rockin’ solo single, “I’ll Be There.” The effervescent tune with a rockabilly swing will be featured on the K-pop superstar’s upcoming debut solo album, Happy, due out on Nov. 15.
The bi-lingual tune that mixes 1960s bubblegum rock and modern dance pop — via Pharrell’s “Happy” and with a buzzy dash of early Hanson — is a joyous ode to devotion, with Jin promising on the chorus, “I swear that I will always sing for you/ Sing for you, oh-oh-oh/ I’ll be there for you.” In the video, Jin sings the tune in a parking lot under a bridge backed by a live band as skater boys and girls and other random fans pull up to check out the impromptu performance.
Dressed in jeans and a blue cardigan (over several other shirts) and rocking some stick-on jewels under his right eye, Jin strikes a series of smoldering rock star poses against the bright blue sky. According to a release, the track “conveys a sincere message, aiming to uplift those who feel downhearted and alone by delivering joy through Jin’s playful yet straightforward style.”
Jin helped produce the track alongside American singer/songwriter MAX and in the video he channels rock star energy by doing an air guitar windmill move and striking some Elvis-adjacent poses as confetti rains down around him. By the end of the clip Jin is joyfully dancing with himself in the abandoned parking lot, kicking up his heels as the sun sets behind the bridge.
Jin’s upcoming six-track album will feature the focus track “Running Wild,” as well as “I’ll Be There,” “Another Level,” “Falling,” “Heart on the Window” (feat. WENDY)” and “I will come to you.” Jin collaborated with a number of other acts on the album, including Take That’s Gary Barlow, who co-produced and co-wrote “Running Wild.”
So far, Jin, the oldest member of BTS at 31, has released a number of solo tracks, including “Super Tuna,” “Yours,” “Abyss,” “Awake,” “Tonight,” “Epiphany” and “Moon,” as well as contributing to the soundtracks of a number of Korean TV shows and collaborating with Coldplay on his debut solo single, 2022’s “The Astronaut.” Jin was discharged from mandatory South Korean military duty in June and his solo debut comes as ARMY patiently wait for the rest of the band members to finish their required hitches in anticipation of BTS’ expected 2025 return.
Watch the “I’ll Be There” video below.
