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BTS member Kim Seok-jin, popularly known as Jin, released a new single titled I'll Be There on October 25, 2024. This track marks his first solo release since completing his mandatory military service on June 12, 2024.
The song speaks directly to his feelings of longing, dedication, and gratitude for his fans, known as ARMY, and his close relationships with his BTS bandmates. It’s a reassuring message from Jin to those who have supported him, promising that despite his time away, he is "always there" in spirit.
The song was co-written by the Grammy-nominated artist with the American musician MAX. The instrumentation leans toward a mellow, acoustic sound punctuated by a soft piano and strings, bringing Jin's smooth vocals and delicate high notes to the forefront. Lyrically, the song reflects the BTS idol's journey of self-reflection, growth, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to music.
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From referencing BTS' IDOL MV to the background "7" balloons: Jin's I'll Be There MV easter eggs
The release of I'll Be There has sparked excitement among BTS fans and the general public. Within hours of its release, the song trended worldwide on social media, with hashtags like #IllBeThereJin and #JinReturnsToMusic gaining traction across platforms.
I'll Be There topped the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart and the European iTunes Song Chart on October 25, 2024. The official MV has amassed over 8.4 million views on YouTube as of October 27.
Here are five things you might have missed in the MV:
1) Seven balloons to represent seven BTS members
Staying true to the band's tradition where each member somehow represented BTS in their respective solo projects, Jin's I'll Be There MV had seven balloons tied to a rope behind him. For instance, Suga, Jimin, and Jungkook had six male background dancers in their individual solo music videos. Taehyung, j-hope, and Namjoon represented "BTS is 7" through their concept photos and more.
2) The inflatable tube man is similar to the IDOL MV drawing
The official MV of I'll Be There had an inflatable yellow tube behind the BTS idol as he performed. Fans noticed that the inflatable yellow tube referenced the drawing from BTS' IDOL music video. This isn't band members' first use of references from their old group MVs. For instance, Namjoon's title track, LOST!, has the same name as BTS' Lost track from 2017.
3) Jin’s running scene mirroring The Astronaut MV
The I'll Be There music video has a scene where the Grammy-nominated singer runs on an abandoned street below the bridge which mirrored his running scene from The Astronaut MV. The BTS idol released his debut solo single, The Astronaut, in collaboration with Coldplay in October 2022, ahead of his military enlistment in December 2022.
4) The diverse set of actors in I'll Be There MV representing ARMY
The latest music video showed a diverse group of supporting actors, from kids to teenagers to elderly people. The cast included people from various races and ethnicities, portraying how the BTS fandom comprises people from every country and age group. The scene also depicts how BTS performs on stage while their beloved fans cheer for them from the audience.
5) Surrounded by trash symbolizing BTS & ARMYs overcoming hardships
The video showcased rolled and thrown away newspaper, paper, and confetti flying towards the BTS idol and his fans standing around him. The scene metaphorically represents the K-pop band and their fandom's overcoming hardship, hatred, and criticism thrown away at them since they debuted in 2013.
In other news, BTS members Namjoon, Taehyung, Jungkook, Jimin, and Suga have been serving in the military since 2023. They will return to the entertainment industry in June 2025.
