WEEK 63 | I Won’t Hide Anymore Even if it Hurts.

Monday Muster
Written By Quince

March 24-30, 2025

Catharsis.

 

FACE Promotional Photoshoot

When I was in high school, I was deeply involved in the theatre department. (I’ll pause for all of you to have a moment to get over your disbelief and shock.) I once played a character who had a difficult time dealing with her home life—a young girl who hid in romantic daydreams in order to avoid reality. She acts out her fantasies, much to the amusement/annoyance of those around her. Eventually, someone calls her out on her avoidance and tells her she needs to stop.


Sooner or later, honey—we all gotta face up.


Even though it was a line said to me—or rather, said to my character—while I stood on a stage at 15 years-old… it’s stuck with me ever since. Life throws difficult shit at us all the time, sometimes continually it seems. While it’s okay to avoid it occasionally—to ignore and focus on something that brings us joy—that’s never a good permanent solution. At some point we all have to face up to the shit in our lives and deal with it.

On March 24, 2023, Park Jimin released his debut solo album, FACE. The pre-release track, “Set Me Free Pt.2” had dropped a week previously, showing all of us a VERY different Jimin from the one we were used to. This Jimin was dark—determined, and maybe a little angry? The world was really just completely shaking off the weight of the Pandemic at this point, still not quite used to living life at a normal pace again. Unable to fully move past what had happened to us all.

When he began doing promotions for FACE, Jimin said several times that the album was a reflection of himself, and his personal struggles and emotions, mostly stemming from the Pandemic. And suddenly it made sense to me—as I listened to the album, Jimin’s words seemed to echo what myself and many others were feeling at the time. And I remembered once again that line from my high school play.



FACE is full of contradictory emotions—frustration, anger, and intense loneliness one moment, and then liberation and a profound sense of gratitude in the next. Writing the album was how Jimin processed and overcame his struggles. Thinking back to what RM told him when he was trying to write “Promise”, he let music be his solution.


This week we’ll examine what that process looked like for Jimin, and how his search for freedom led him to peer at the feelings deep within himself. In an interview he had with Nikkei Asia, Jimin said that FACE could be interpreted as either a noun (his own face) or as a verb (to confront). Writing his first album helped him “face up” to what was going on in his life during the Pandemic and when he released it he broke Billboard Music records, proving that even when it hurts, it’s worth it. 


 
 
 
 

Skip to Content: Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five

 

DAY ONE:

 

“Vibe” Official M/V

There is a well-known saying that we should never meet our heroes. The implication being that disappointment is inevitable as they can not possibly live up to the picture we have of them in our minds.


While this is often proven true, sometimes the opposite happens. Early on in BTS’ career, all the members found themselves asked now and again who inspired them—who their heroes were. One name that Jimin regularly said time and time again was Taeyang.


Taeyang is a 2nd generation Idol, who debuted in 2006 with the group Big Bang. Though he is still a member of the group today, he also debuted as a soloist in 2008. Big Bang has seen massive success throughout their career, and Taeyang is widely regarded by critics as one of the all-time top vocalists in South Korea. After he returned from his mandatory military service, a good friend of his who also happened to be a producer suggested he should collaborate on a song with another artist, and Jimin’s name was thrown into the mix.


For a few years, nothing came of it. But Taeyang knew Jimin was a fan of his work—Jimin randomly breaking out into a Taeyang or Big Bang song is well-documented in MANY a Bangtan Bomb. In 2022, after coming out of the Pandemic, Taeyang ran into the members of BTS at various events, and struck up conversation with Jimin. They both expressed an interest in working together, and that, my friends, is how we ended up with “Vibe”, one of the swaggiest collaborations to ever happen in music.

“Vibe” Official M/V

I could feel it
I'm trapped inside your space, you're my matrix
You don't know I want your love (Know, I want your love)
Before this night ends, baby

You know we got that vibe, baby ('Til the sun rises)
Look at me, look at me, I got the vibe
Look at me, look at me, I got the vibe
You know we got that vibe, baby ('Til the sun sets)
Look at you, look at you, you got the vibe
I can feel it, it's a vibe

“Vibe” was released in January of 2023. It’s a simple love song, all about feeling that particular “vibe” with someone and knowing that you’re just meant to be with them. It’s not unlike the vibe Jimin felt when watching Taeyang perform when he was younger.

He said, in an interview, that at first when Taeyang broached the topic of a collaboration with him, it didn’t feel real. Jimin constantly doubts himself, so it didn’t make sense why his hero would actually want to work with him. But once he moved past that, he decided to treat the opportunity as the ultimate learning experience. Even though BTS had had so much success by this point, he knew that there was a lot he could still absorb from observing an Idol who’d been in the game much longer than he had. And he wasn’t disappointed. Taeyang and Jimin did seem to immediately “vibe” off each other and enjoy their time working together. Jimin said he discovered that Taeyang was an “even better and cooler person than I thought”. Given what we know of Jimin and his disposition, it’s no wonder that him meeting his hero turned out to be such a positive experience not only for him, but for ARMY and all music lovers out there.

 

"Vibe (feat. Jimin of BTS)” Official M/V


 
 

EPISODE: "VIBE" (FEAT JIMIN) M/V SHOOT SKETCH

 

"VIBE" (FEAT JIMIN) TAEYANG | LIVE CLIP

 

Fun Fact:

Angel Pt 1 & Pt 2


And speaking of epic collaborations… in 2023 Jimin was approached to appear on a song with a bevy of other artists for the newest movie in the Fast and the Furious franchise, Fast X.

The song was called “Angel Pt. 1” and featured NLE Choppa, Kodak Black, JVKE, and Muni Long, along with Jimin. It released on May 9, 2023 and garnered praise for its vocal performances. The song’s lyrics deal with destructive behavior and the consequences that can arise from it.

A second version, “Angel Pt. 2” was released a month later in June, featuring Charlie Puth in place of NLE Choppa and Kodak Black. Puth added a new verse on at the end of the song, which otherwise remained largely the same.


Enjoy!

  1. "ANGEL PT 1" NLE CHOPPA, KODAK BLACK, JIMIN OF BTS, JVKE, & MUNI LONG | FAST X M/V TRAILER (0:26)

  2. "ANGEL PT 1" NLE CHOPPA, KODAK BLACK, JIMIN OF BTS, JVKE, & MUNI LONG | FAST X OFFICIAL M/V (3:00)

  3. "ANGEL PT 1" NLE CHOPPA, KODAK BLACK, JIMIN OF BTS, JVKE, & MUNI LONG | VERTICAL PERFORMANCE VIDEO (2:50)

  4. "ANGEL PT 1" NLE CHOPPA, KODAK BLACK, JIMIN OF BTS, JVKE, & MUNI LONG | BEHIND THE SCENES (8:34)

  5. "ANGEL PT 1" NLE CHOPPA, KODAK BLACK, JIMIN OF BTS, JVKE, & MUNI LONG | OFFICIAL LYRICS (2:57)

  6. "ANGEL PT 2" JVKE, JIMIN OF BTS, CHARLIE PUTH, MUNI LONG | FAST X OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO (2:57)

  7. "ANGEL PT 2" JVKE, JIMIN OF BTS, CHARLIE PUTH, MUNI LONG | FMV (2:58)

 
 

DAY TWO:

 

In mid 2022, just as BTS was gearing up to let ARMY know during their FESTA celebrations that they were planning to take a break from group activities for awhile, Jimin began writing the songs that would eventually end up becoming FACE. He had been struggling in silence for awhile, and a lot of that came to a head while BTS was performing their series of “Permission to Dance” concerts in Las Vegas a couple months previously.



In an interview he did with Rolling Stone, Jimin admitted that he wasn’t prepared for the emotional turmoil he felt during those performances, and that his fellow members encouraged him to do what they always did best—get it out in music. To do so, he enlisted the help of long-time Big Hit producer, Pdogg. At first he asked for songs to be sent to him, but Pdogg—knowing Jimin well, instead said: “Why don’t you come work on some songs with me and we’ll see what happens.”



What happened ending up being a series of songs that explored the range of emotions Jimin experienced throughout the Pandemic. The album is a complete journey—starting with pain, anger, and avoidance and my favorite song on FACE… “Face Off”.

“FACE” Promotional Photoshoot

It begins with an eerie-sounding circus melody which is echoed by the cynical first line: “Alright, I guess the blame is on me… I live like a fool…” The song drops into a soul trap beat which builds in intensity as Jimin, while acknowledging that he’s a fool, also admits that he rather lose himself in escapism than deal with it.

Gave you all the money

Gave you all my heart

Your masquerade party

I was fucking drunk
Even those damned days in the past
are now all over

.
It’s a beautiful night
I feel like I’ve found myself

Tonight I don’t wanna be sober

Pour it up, it’s all fuckin’ over



The entire song is full of anger and loneliness, yet also a pervasive sense of tightly-controlled self-awareness. Jimin knows this escapism is just a temporary fix, but also doesn’t care. In the time after FACE’s release, he’s been very candid with ARMY that he used some unhealthy coping mechanisms during the Pandemic, including losing himself in alcohol a bit too much. “Face Off” brings that into focus very suddenly and harshly, making it very clear just how desperate Jimin felt at the time to avoid his troubled feelings.



This is continued masterfully into the next track: “Interlude: Dive”. What may seem at first as just a throw away series of nonsensical sounds and random dialogue snippets, is actually a brilliant look at how someone can be struggling in silence yet still screaming for help at the same time. During his Rolling Stone interview, Jimin said that it was meant to convey the feeling of being “lost and wandering” and that it was a very specific bridge between the harsh frustration of “Face Off” and the hazy, dream-like intoxication of “Like Crazy”.



When I first heard “Interlude: Dive”, I admit that I didn’t get what the point was. It sounded like a filler song. But the more I listened to the entire album front to back, I began to piece together how it was saying a lot without really saying anything at all. It opens with gentle instrumentals and the sound of a cassette tape being rewinded. And then we hear panting breaths (Jimin said he recorded himself running using his phone) until it transitions into a snippet of Jimin’s opening Ment during the “Yet to Come” concert in Busan from 2022. It sounds melancholic, and is immediately followed by the sound of a bottle being opened, and a drink being poured into a glass. The feeling we’re left with is one of longing. It feels a bit mournful, as though we’re wallowing, chasing a feeling from the past. Or, trying to think about when we might feel something brighter in the future again?



Either way, “Interlude: Dive” invokes feelings I think many of us struggled with during the Pandemic. There was a deep sense of loss for the carefree times we’d had in the past, and a fear we’d never have those again, but an almost desperate desire to think and plan for it. Jimin was clearly thinking about how he lost out on so much performing and time with ARMY during the Pandemic, and was likely thinking about how he would again during his upcoming military service. The sound of the drink being poured lets us know that his escapism is continuing…


 

EPISODE: JIMIN FACE ALBUM COVER SHOOT SKETCH

 
 
 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: What’s the worst way you cope with feelings you don’t want to face?

 
 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 

DAY THREE:

Jimin’s style of music has always been unapologetically “pop”. His voice lends itself well to both sentimental and dance-heavy tracks you expect to hear on the radio. The title track of FACE, “Like Crazy” is a perfect example of this.



On the surface, “Like Crazy” is a catchy synth-pop dance anthem that makes it easily replayable. But when you settle in with the lyrics, they subvert the entire feeling of the song, and remind us of exactly what it was Jimin was trying not to think about for so long.


We know that Jimin is a romantic at heart, and that he loves sappy, sentimental movies and music. He wrote his title track after being inspired by watching the 2011 film “Like Crazy”, which is about the separation a couple has to deal with during a long-distance relationship. This is certainly how the relationship between BTS and ARMY felt during the Pandemic, especially for the members who were denied the opportunity to see their fans in person once their entire world tour for Map of the Soul: 7 was cancelled.

Watch me go
Drenching myself all night (away)
so that even the morning
gets drunk and doesn’t arrive

…

I’d rather be

Lost in the lights

Lost in the lights

I’m outta my mind
Hold onto the end of the night 

“Like Crazy” Official M/V

“Like Crazy” Official M/V

The disconnect between the music and the lyrics is stark and as the song progresses, there is almost a push and pull going on between them. The choreography reflects this back and forth as well. Jimin is constantly being pushed and pulled around by his backup dancers, always in the middle of the dance, but never quite present for it. The moves are hypnotic, and the music sounds upbeat—it all makes you want to get up and dance. But then, that’s the point right?

Placed right in the middle of the album, “Like Crazy” is deeply mired in Jimin’s escapism. Rather than deal with the ramifications of his emotions, he’d rather drown them out with alcohol and partying. In the M/V, we see Jimin almost desperate in his attempt to have fun—jumping into the crowd and laughing maniacally. But in many parts, he’s still separated—standing by himself in the middle of the dance floor while couples are making out or dancing around him, or staring at his reflection alone in the bathroom. Again, it gives the feeling of a fleeting solution—like this can’t and won’t last forever.

 

"LIKE CRAZY" | OFFICIAL M/V

 
 

"LIKE CRAZY" OFFICIAL FANCAM | INKIGAYO

 

"LIKE CRAZY" (ENG ACOUSTIC VER) | LIMOUSINE (LEEMUJIN) SERVICE CLIP

 

Fun Fact

Jimin’s Production Diary

In the fall of 2023, not long before he enlisted in the military, Jimin released a documentary that chronicled the creation process for his album FACE. It was called (very simply) “Jimin’s Production Diary”.

It covers the time from when he began writing the album, through the end of his promotions after its release. We saw him working closely with his production team (Pdogg, Evan, and GHSTLOOP—more on them later…) through writing, beat creation, and recording.

It’s a raw look at the process of music-making, particularly as it’s the process of someone creating his very first solo album. Jimin has always been honest that songwriting doesn’t come easily to him, but that it’s something he feels very strongly about doing.

His production diary makes this fact perfectly clear. Though he often struggles, we see his determination to see his vision through to completion. It’s a beautiful reminder of Jimin’s commitment to hard work and developing himself as an artist.

Plus… it gives us the treat of knowing exactly what it sounds like to hear Jimin beautifully sing “fuck yoooooou, fuuuuck yooooouuuu!” Enjoy!

  1. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY | TEASER TRAILER (0:32)

  2. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY FACE KEYWORD INTERVIEW (5:51)

  3. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY | MAIN TRAILER (1:32)

  4. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY | ART CLIP✨ (0:55)

  5. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY | DRAWING FACE EMOJIS (1:27)

  6. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY | LYRIC VIDEO🎼 (1:00)

  7. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY | JIMIN'S FAVORITE LYRICS FROM FACE (6:57)

  8. BANGTAN BOMB: JIMIN’S PRODUCTION DIARY "SPECIAL TALK WITH. JIMIN" BEHIND (10:00)

  9. 231030 JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY 'SPECIAL TALK WITH JIMIN' (1:20:06)

  10. JIMIN'S PRODUCTION DIARY | WEVERSE SHOP

 

DAY FOUR:

 

"Set Me Free Pt. 2” Official M/V

The next track on the album is “Alone” and it feels like the morning after “Like Crazy”. It begins suddenly with a ringing alarm, which gets cut off quickly, then Jimin comes in with hushed vocals—almost as though he is hungover. Much like we might feel a sick sense of regret upon waking up after we partied too hard the night before, the lyrics of “Alone” take us along to the next stop on Jimin’s journey through escapism and depression.

 

“Set Me Free Pt. 2” Official M/V

When falling asleep, drunk,
and being unable to remember anything,
I thought about it, “what am I doing now”
Why am I the only one like this — no, everyone is like this
The me who pretends to be okay every time,
I find him pathetic


He’s facing a stark realization that he can’t run from his problems forever. The ballad showcases Jimin’s lower register which emphasizes the pain he’s finally allowing himself to feel. Unlike “Like Crazy”, here the music and lyrics are on the same page. Jimin knows he can’t go back, he has to “face” all the anger and loneliness he’s been covering up. Hence the title, “Alone”—being alone is inescapable sometimes, but it was something that many of us had to deal with too much during the Pandemic. It’s clear this was one of Jimin’s biggest struggles, and this song is him recognizing that he needs to process that… by himself.


Rounding out FACE is the pre-release track, “Set Me Free Pt.2”. We all remember that the members of BTS love continuing the messages from previous songs in their discography whether it’s one from the group or a solo. “Interlude: Set Me Free” comes from AGUST D’s (SUGA) second mixtape, D2, and it deals with wanting to be released from feelings of melancholy and loneliness, even if the alternative isn’t any easier.

In “Set Me Free Pt.2” this desire is echoed, but in a much more aggressive way. It’s the culmination of Jimin’s entire struggle through the album. The raw power is back, but instead of desperation—this time we have determination. The song comes in with powerful brass instrumentals and a choir vocalizing in the background. Immediately, it feels different from anything Jimin has ever done before. The sound and lyrics are both strong and antagonistic—not in a mean way, but more in a “this is about my survival, so don’t try to stop me” way.


Look at me now
Even if it hurts, I don’t hide anymore
Going insane to stay sane
I raise my fist for the past me

.

Now set me free…

He quotes both “ON” and “Butterfly” (BTS songs) in the lyrics, emphasizing a desire to be free from feeling trapped. Here he’s saying that it doesn’t matter if it hurts, it doesn’t matter what it costs him, he’s going to find a way out of this. He won’t hide or try to mask his pain anymore, now he will “face” everything head on. In the M/V, while dressed all in black, he struggles to find his way out from the maze of his background dancers. But he keeps trying, and at the end when they collapse, he rises again—this time all in white—symbolizing the peace he finally feels now that he has confronted his feelings.

I remember when this song premiered and I watched the video for the first time. My jaw hit the floor and didn’t leave it for probably a good thirty minutes—during which I watched the video over and over again on repeat. Was this Park Jimin? It makes sense now, with the hindsight and info we’ve been given about his frame of mind while writing the album, but at the time it was mind-blowing. It’s still somewhat unbelievable when you hear the first hip-hop beats come in after the horns and then you hear him rapping in the second verse. One thing is for sure though, Jimin (like the rest of Bangtan) will never be content to rest on his laurels or be pigeon-holed as a one-note artist.

 
 
 

EPISODE: "SET ME FREE, PT 2" MV SHOOT SKETCH

 

"SET ME FREE, PT 2" | INKIGAYO

 

Fun Fact:

Jimin destroys us through sponsorships.


Have you ever found yourself whimpering while flipping through the pages of a magazine, or scrolling through ad campaign images in a post on social media?

Yeah, no. Me neither. Pfffffft.

BUT IF YOU HAVE… there’s a good chance those whimpers happened while looking at Park Jimin in any one of the sponsorship campaigns or magazine layouts we have linked below.

Christian Dior, Tiffany & Co., Vogue, Elle, or Harper’s Bazaar… take your pic. They’re all deadly. Enjoy!

  1. JIMIN EMBODIES THE DIOR MEN'S SPRING 2024 CAMPAIGN | CHRISTIAN DIOR (0:31)

  2. JIMIN'S SURPRISE-FILLED DIOR MEN SHOW DAY | CHRISTIAN DIOR (2:37)

  3. JIMIN DIOR SPRING COLLECTION HD | TWIXTOR CLIP (1:13)

  4. 230901 JIMIN | DIOR EVENT (2:36)

  5. JIMIN W KOREA | TWIXTOR CLIP (1:01)

  6. Q&A TIME WITH MOOD MAKER JIMIN. ASK ME ANYTHING | W KOREA (9:04)

  7. UNBOXING W KOREA JIMIN FEBRUARY 2023 COVER (ALL 6 VERSIONS!) (6:14)

  8. JIMIN OF BTS WEARS TIFFANY HARDWEAR | TIFFANY & CO. (0:16)

  9. TIFFANY LOCK X JIMIN | TIFFANY & CO. (0:16)

  10. JIMIN IN TIFFANY & CO. AD CAMPAIGN (0:15)

  11. BTS JIMIN DAZZLES ALL AT TIFFANY’S NEW YORK 5TH AVENUE STORE | KOREA NOW (1:42)

  12. JIMIN TIFFANY AND CO CELEBRATES HD | TWIXTOR/VELOCITY CLIPS (1:54)

  13. JIMIN - VOGUE KOREA - PHOTOSHOOT | TWIXTOR CLIPS (2:34)

  14. BEHIND-THE-SCENES WITH JIMIN | VOGUEMEETS (5:23)

  15. A DAY WITH BTS’S JIMIN IN NYC | VOGUE (6:12)

  16. UNBOXING VOGUE KOREA JIMIN APRIL 2023 COVER (ALL 3 VERSIONS!) | + SURPRISE ESQUIRE MAGAZINE (7:19)

  17. JIMIN FASHION FILM | WITH ELLE KOREA (0:32)

  18. UNDER THE SCENE WITH JIMIN | ELLE KOREA (4:14)

  19. JIMIN ELLE KOREA PHOTOSHOOT | TWIXTOR CLIPS (1:53)

  20. JIMIN ELLE FASHION FILM | TWIXTOR CLIPS (2:07)

  21. A LETTER FROM BTS' JIMIN. | GQ KOREA NOVEMBER (0:55)

  22. THE REASON WHY YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF BTS' JIMIN | GQ KOREA NOVEMBER (1:31)

  23. COVERSTORY: JIMIN X DIOR | GQ KOREA (0:27)

  24. DOUBLE FEATURE UNBOXING!! ELLE AND GQ KOREA JIMIN NOVEMBER 2023 MAGAZINE COVERS (ALL 6 VERSIONS!) (7:15)

  25. JIMIN, INTELLIGENT AND SENSITIVE, A PERSON OF LOVE. WRAPPED IN THE BRILLIANCE OF TIFFANY & CO. | HARPER'S BAZAAR OFFICIAL (0:34)

  26. UNBOXING BTS JIMIN HARPER'S BAZAAR (JAPAN) MAGAZINE (4:29)

 
 

DAY FIVE:

Remember when I mentioned that Jimin is sentimental? Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. His catch phrase that he is “cutie, sexy, and lovely” got an addition somewhere along the line, making him a “cutie, sexy, lovely, and sweet guy”. And honestly? It’s the complete truth. Jimin has shown ARMY time and time again over the years that he is unfailingly kind and considerate. He cares deeply for us and for his members, and is very open with showing his affection.

And this showering us with boundless affection has led to ARMY’s near destruction on several occassions. After the emotional rollercoaster that is FACE draws to a close with “Set Me Free Pt.2” (well, and the English version of “Like Crazy”), if you were streaming the album, you’d turn it off and just say “Wow Jimin, that was something!” However, if you were insane (like me) and purchased a physical copy and let it just play while you sat there gobsmacked and unable to move on with your life… well then, you discovered that there was a hidden track on there… just waiting to eviscerate any unsuspecting ARMY’s heart.

“Closer Than This” Official M/V

This hidden track quickly became known as “Letter” (and later, “Dear ARMY”), and the lyrics followed soon after, popping up online for all of us to cry over.


“Letter” is a message from Jimin to ARMY, one he wrote upon coming out on the other side after dealing with all the emotions he had while creating FACE. It’s a message of love and gratitude to his fans, who comforted and held him and the rest of BTS up during the Pandemic.


I say oh-oh, I hope you can be happier
You, who stretched your hand out to me whenever I fell
I say oh-oh, I'll hold it now (I'll hold it)
So when you feel like crying, you won’t fallI say oh-oh, I hope you can be happier
You, who stretched your hand out to me whenever I fell
I say oh-oh, I'll hold it now (I'll hold it)
So when you feel like crying, you won’t fall


The lyrics convey a wish for us to find a way out of the darkness to happier times as well, and that he’s there to help us in the same way we helped him. It’s raw and emotional, and for maximum destruction potential, he enlisted Jung Kook to sing background vocals and harmonies on the track for him.


Cool.


And if that wasn’t enough… fast forward about eight months later to when the final four members of BTS announced that they were all entering the military at the same time, in mid-December of 2023. ARMY knew it was coming, but all four at once was a BIG blow to us.


Jimin knew this would be the case. So just a couple of weeks after we watched him and Jung Kook run and join the formation of their training class together, his single “Closer Than This” dropped. It was another love letter to ARMY, a see-you-later that was meant to remind us that no matter where Jimin is physically, he’s always with us in our hearts—all we have to do is call his name and he’ll be there.


"Closer Than This" Official M/V

“Closer Than This” Official M/V

Do you also remember
The moment we first met?
We were so shy and awkward back then
Now that I look back
We've come this far in just a blink of an eye
We walked it together, alongside each other
At times, I fell and shed tears
We comforted each other, with a pat on the back
Gazing at one another with tears in our eyes
Calling out each other's names
Starting on June 13
To the us of thе present, herе and now
Even if you're not here
At the same place, always


The lyrics are a nostalgic look back on BTS and ARMY’s journey together and what we mean to each other. The M/V emphasizes this by showing emotional scenes and moments from BTS’ and Jimin’s past career. (It also left me a sobbing mess curled up in the corner of my bed, calling Jimin’s name in an irrational hope that he’d just show up in my bedroom to hug me, but that’s a story for another time…) As we listen and watch “Closer Than This” it’s clear, that beyond just being a grateful love song meant to comfort his fans, it’s also a new “promise” from Jimin. That while we might all be apart during his enlistment, he WILL be back, and so will BTS.

 
 
 
 

"LETTER" (DEAR ARMY) | LIVE CLIP - FESTA 2023

 

SUGA WITH JIMIN | SUCHWITA EP.7

 

“Closer Than This” Official M/V

 
 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: Have you “faced up” to yourself, or are you still in that process?

 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 
 

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Even though he’s younger than me, when I grow up, I kind of want to be like Park Jimin. As we reflect on his debut solo album FACE and everything he was feeling during the Pandemic and in the year leading up to his military enlistment, it’s clear that even when he is scared, he is also brave. He never stops TRYING, no matter what, and everything he tries, he does so with his entire being. It’s not easy to face the darkness within one’s self, and it’s even harder to lay it bare for others to face as well. Jimin is amazing, right?

Join us next time, for our last week in Jimarch when we’ll talk about the album we all suspected was happening but had no concrete proof for, and ask the question “Who” is Jimin’s heart waiting for?

 
 

Side Quest

Jimin on Weverse in 2023.

We didn’t see as much of Jimin going LIVE in 2023, but when he did, it was always a meaningful time spent with ARMY.

Here we’ve collected Jimin’s last 14 Weverse LIVEs before he enlisted in the military. They’re funny, sweet, and sometimes a bit sad. But we have all the excitement from FACE’s album release, Jimin’s birthday, and the bittersweet hilarity of the last four member’s LIVE before they enlisted.

But don’t be sad… just keep in mind that we’re only a little over two months from having Jimin and all the rest of the members back!

 

230210 크흠((COUGH)) | WE-LIVE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CREDITS:

YouTube/Web

BANGTANTV, HYBE LABELS, ⟭⟬BTS BORA WORLD⟬⟭, &TEAM, ☆ SQUISHYOON ☆, APG | Artist Partner / Artist Publishing Group, BTS _PRINCEJIMIN _MOCHI, BTS LIVE ARCHIVE, Christian Dior, DJ B.N., elisssa, ENHYPEN, ENJOY BTS MORE, GQ KOREA, Harper's BAZAAR Japan, Hello JISOO 2, JAEGUCHI, JVKE, k-habitué, KBS Kpop, KBS WORLD TV, KHXBTS, KOKAWA+, kookminbts13, KOREA NOW, L PJM, LE SSERAFIM, lvximolala, M2, milkookie, 𝓂𝒾𝓂𝓊⭑, Minie Jagi, minnijm, MIX MOTION, Mnet K-POP, MNET KPOP, Mnet TV, Muni Long, NLE CHOPPA, OK_KOOKIE, ONLY LUV KPOP, Park Drea , PICKCON / 픽콘, Pixid, SBS Radio 에라오, SBSKPOP X INKIGAYO, ShadowByYoongi, SNOWBANG, STUDIO CHOOM, TaeBearMD, TAEMIN, TAEYANG, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, THEBLACKLABEL, Tiffany & Co., VOGUE, VOGUE KOREA, W KOREA, WEVERSE, XMPL, 뜬뜬 DdeunDdeun, 엘르 코리아_ELLE KOREA; Web: WEVERSE SHOP

ARMY Project 529 Volunteers

Research Team: Angel (TikTok: Lilangel2828), Leslie Day (TikTok: Leslie Day), Merry (TikTok: merryj67), Sam T (TikTok: samt_26), Shelley (TikTok: shels167), Trudy (TikTok: theeducationmommy), Viv (TikTok: VivEliz); Video Team: Leslie Day (TikTok: Leslie Day), Namz (TikTok: Namz07)

 
 

Join us LIVE every Sunday evening at 8pm ET for #the529live, a wrap up of each week's “Monday Muster”, thoughtful discussions, and tons of laughter! And catch us every Wednesday night at 9pm ET for #the529tea, when we dish about all the news going on with Bangtan. 

Both live streams are hosted on ARMY Project 529’s YouTube channel: (@ARMYProject529)


Quince
Previous

WEEK 64 | You are the Light in My Darkness
Next

WEEK 62 | I Want You to Be Your Light.