Jin’s Solo Debut Is Out Of This World
Kim Seokjin, known to the world as Jin of BTS, made his solo debut on October 28. Jin teased the release during his ending ments at the World Expo 2030 concert held by BTS in Busan just two weeks ago. The following Monday, BigHit Entertainment also announced their long-awaited plan for the group’s military service. The company stated that all members will serve according to their personal schedules, starting with Jin upon the conclusion of his solo promotions. Those promotions have included an appearance on Lee Youngji’s Nothing Much Prepared show, a special performance with Coldplay in Argentina, and a guest role on the Korean variety show Running Man.
In typical Jin fashion, he even developed a new character to help promote “The Astronaut.” A mysterious Instagram account began sharing behind-the-scenes content and cute animations on October 14 under the name 우떠 (Wootteo). It was later revealed to be Jin’s creation, a secondary astronaut to connect with ARMY across the globe in a fun and interactive way. In addition, Jin’s previous solo songs have been uploaded on all streaming platforms and physical albums are available for purchase. Join me in celebrating Jin’s solo debut as we dive into his newest release, “The Astronaut.
“The Astronaut” was co-written by Coldplay, who previously collaborated with BTS for their song “My Universe” in 2021. Frontman Chris Martin opened up about the opportunity to work with BTS in an interview with San Francisco’s Alice at 97.3:
“The journey from the first time it was mentioned — I was just like, ‘How could that ever work?’ — to the song itself arriving and me thinking, ‘That could be for BTS’ — to now it feeling like the most natural collaboration in the world. It’s an amazing lesson for myself in keeping an open mind all the time, because you just never know what life or music is gonna throw you.”
Coldplay’s influence clearly shines through on the new track. While Jin is no stranger to power ballads and soaring high notes, “The Astronaut” takes a different turn that is more aligned with the British band’s soft-rock style. The synth-heavy track is a little rough around the edges, complementing Jin’s alluring lower register. The overall vibe is sentimental and cozy, with lyrics that feel like a warm embrace. With his enlistment period looming, Jin leaves behind one final gift for ARMY: acknowledging their shared history with a promise that it will never end. Jin describes his time spent with fans as, “heaven comin’ through.” The song is simple yet genuine, and it ends on the sweetest note with Jin effortlessly professing, “and I love you.”
The music video opens with Jin at the site of a UFO crash before jumping into a series of scenes that showcase his life on Earth. Each sequence is littered with easter eggs for Coldplay and BTS fans alike, from the crossword puzzle dedicated to ARMY to Chris Martin appearing as a newscaster and every small detail in between. It all adds up to tell the story of an astronaut from Aurora—the lost planet in Coldplay’s ninth album Music of the Spheres—who finds a new home after crash landing on Earth. In the end, the astronaut chooses to stay with his found family instead of returning to his native planet.
At its heart, the cinematic masterpiece is a message to ARMY around the world. In Jin’s solo from MAP OF THE SOUL: 7, he refers to himself as the moon, constantly orbiting around ARMY as his Earth. “The Astronaut” continues with a similar theme. Just like the astronaut from Aurora, Jin has found a second family with BTS and ARMY. Although our time apart is inevitable, he promises to always return to the one place that feels like home.
It’s hard to say for certain what the future holds, but fans can find solace in Jin’s lyrics and the promise that BTS will one day return as seven. Until that day comes, you can listen to “The Astronaut” alongside Jin’s previous work, available now on all streaming platforms. You can also check out the cinematic music video for “The Astronaut” below.
Edited by Omani