Jin's Rock-Star Dreams Are Big and Bold on ‘Echo'
Jin has always been his own kind of romantic within the BTS universe, with his own style. This is the guy you go to for epic swoon-worthy love songs about space travel through the cosmos of the heart, in classics like 'Epiphany' and 'Moon.' (Especially 'Moon.') He summed up his sound with his official solo debut single 'The Astronaut,' his 2022 duet with Coldplay, where he kept hitting high notes from outer space. (But still — especially 'Moon.' What a song, right?) Jin pushes his signature style even further with Echo, his new 7-song EP, with emotional ballads and glossy rock moves that give him a chance to shine bright on his own, all open-hearted charm.
Jin is heavily into ripped jeans, leather jackets, long hair, and black nail polish these days, playing up his rock & roll flash, even sporting a Tom Petty t-shirt. It's a change from his previous clean-cut look, but he's obviously embracing his newfound freedom, after two years of mandatory military service. No star has made such a flamboyant celebration out of taking off the solider's uniform since Elvis Presley escaped the Army and returned with the rowdy sex stomp of Elvis Is Back!, the album where Elvis invented the Stones and the Doors.
More from Rolling Stone
J-Hope Previews 'Hope on the Stage' Grand Finale in Concert Film Trailer
Tablo on His Revealing New Collaboration With BTS' RM: 'It Felt Like a Diary'
Here's Where to Buy BTS Member Jin's '#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR' Tour Tickets Online
But for Jin, it's just a fresh way of flexing his beloved 'Worldwide Handsome' person. 'The Astronaut' was his temporary farewell to the pop scene, as he and his BTS bandmates went on their hiatus to fulfill their military duties. But as soon as he got out of the service last year, he jumped back into music with his solo debut Happy. He's also stepped out as a budding TV star, on the weirder-than-weird hit Kian's Bizarre B&B, where he manages a bed-and-breakfast on a remote South Korean island, helping a string of wacky guests learn some life lessons. It says a lot about Jin that he'd pick such an unusual project for his big return. (Among other things, he gets to live up to his reputation as as one of the music world's supreme chefs.)
All the BTS men have stretched out in different musical directions on their solo projects since the hiatus—his fellow rocker Jimin went for a psychedelic Sgt. Pepper concept on Muse, with 'Smeraldo Garden Marching Band,' while Jungkook threw down with Jack Harlow on Golden and RM duetted with Erykah Badu on Indigo. For Jin, Echo is expansively romantic, full of Eighties-style synth-pop, led by the single 'Don't Say You Love Me,' the ballad of a fragile relationship coming to a messy end. 'Don't tell me that you're gonna miss me,' he sings. 'Just tell me that you wanna kill me.'
He tries out some new tricks on Echo, most smashingly on 'Rope It,' his first country song. It begins with horses neighing over a Wild West motif from The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, breaking into a boot-scootin' line dance with guitar twang and harmonica. Jin struts with pure cowboy swagger, and it's safe to say we're all here for his Yeehaw Era. It proves that 'Seoul Town Road' was just the beginning. 'Rope It' has to be the best BTS-related country moment since J-Hope learned to say 'Howdy, y'all!' for his Texas gig in March.
Another highlight is 'Loser,' a high-energy slice of glam-metal that sounds like Jin is gunning to join Def Leppard. He plays half of a bickering couple in a hilarious duet with Yena, formerly of the girl group Iz*One. (She also did the awesome 2023 single 'Hate Rodrigo,' the affectionately cheeky tribute to idolizing a certain so-American pop megastar, which would make a great mash-up with Olivia's 'Obsessed.') 'With the Clouds' has a Bon Jovi-style guitar break. All over Echo, Jin sounds refreshed to be throwing himself back into music, but with the confidence of a star who'd never been away. As his boy Tom Petty would say, may he stay the wild one forever.
Best of Rolling Stone
The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs
All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
8 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Daily Horoscope for June 02, 2025
General Daily Insight for June 02, 2025 We can remove the bandage gently today, rather than ripping it off with one painful yank. The Moon in meticulous Virgo will begin things with a quincunx to masterful Saturn, carefully guiding us along the ideal path for progress. Loving Venus will conjoin wounded Chiron at 5:05 pm EDT, making it important that we lead with love and kindness in order to feel better about our situation. The Moon closes the day out with a square to the Sun in Gemini, encouraging connection even more. Aries March 21 – April 19 You should love yourself as a matter of course. Today, gentle Venus is making its annual conjunction to healing Chiron in your 1st House of the Self, making it especially important that you focus on nurturing your spirit and making sure you treat yourself in a way that is kind and supportive. Remember, if you wouldn't say it to a friend going through what you're going through, then you shouldn't say it to yourself. Be kind to everyone — including you. Taurus April 20 – May 20 Loving something doesn't mean it'll be in your life forever — and that's okay. You may be in a position where you need to release your hold over something. Committed Venus is supporting Chiron in your 12th House of Endings, giving you the green light to let this go. Your sign can be guilty of clinging to old drama almost like a security blanket, but the past likely isn't doing you any good in the present. You can leave it behind, once and for all. Gemini May 21 – June 20 Support your support systems. Your heart can open more fully than usual as Venus and Chiron come together at the same degree of your 11th House of Friendships, helping you air out any old drama between you and your crew. Likewise, you may play peacemaker for a couple of other friends. You know you can be wonderfully impartial when logic is required, so you could be the perfect person to help everyone see eye-to-eye once again. Find a way to celebrate this evening. Cancer June 21 – July 22 The potential for validation is currently very high. Venus is catapulting into a conjunction with Chiron in your 10th House of Reputation. This boosts everyone's knowledge of your past hard work and helps you see results from all your previous efforts, regardless of the specific details. Even if rewards don't all arrive at once, there is a good chance you'll get notice of good things to come quite soon. Don't be shocked when other people are particularly appreciative of what you bring to the table! Leo July 23 – August 22 Broadening your mind should be a rewarding experience. Something to learn or discover could be right around the corner, ready to bring you a lot of happiness and emotional fulfillment. It's all thanks to Venus conjoining Chiron in your 9th House of Learning! Perhaps you have been limiting yourself in ways you didn't even realize, and once you choose to change your viewpoint, it will feel like the sun is shining on your face. Bask in that warmth and enjoy your newfound glow. Virgo August 23 – September 22 You may feel a little exposed all of a sudden. Venus and Chiron are coming together for a special conjunction in your transformational 8th house. Their collaboration can lead to wonderful results, but this process might be overwhelming. You may need to look inward and examine personal behaviors and dynamics that are potentially sabotaging the way you align yourself with others. This can all be a bit heavy, but when all is said and done, the results should be well worth it. Libra September 23 – October 22 Your relationships are acting as mirrors. As sociable Venus conjoins sore Chiron in your connection zone, a problem with a particular person could present itself. Thankfully, this issue should be easily solved (as long as everyone involved is willing to listen and meet it head on). When all is said and done, you may even feel much better about both yourself and your relationships. Be willing to own your part of the situation at hand — it's the best way to build healthier bonds. Scorpio October 23 – November 21 There is no need to bite off more than you can chew. In fact, you are getting the green light to take things easy and handle everything at your own pace as Venus conjoins Chiron in your sensible 6th house. If you feel overwhelmed by all the tasks on your to-do list, be willing to ask for help. People will probably be more than happy to lend a hand. Find pockets of peace for yourself throughout the day, and don't feel guilty about it. Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 This is no time to dim your shine! With alluring Venus conjoining Chiron in your 5th house of Creativity, you are being called on to show off and let people see how much talent and charm you have to share. Try to use this opportunity as a cathartic experience, because something you create or bring into the world right now could prove both mentally satisfying and emotionally fulfilling. Put your heart and soul into whatever it is — the results will probably be brilliant. Capricorn December 22 – January 19 Nurture yourself as well as your loved ones. There is a cosmic focus on your abode as Venus conjoins Chiron in your domestic 4th house. They're encouraging you to beautify your space so it feels more like an authentic representation of your personality. If you've hit a rough patch with a relative or close connection, this heart-opening alignment can empower you to work through it with relatively little pain, so don't be shy about taking the initiative to improve the situation. Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Communication is key to feeling good about life. Your chatty 3rd house is the setting for today's conjunction between Venus and Chiron. That means that it's vital to speak from the heart with open honesty, even if that isn't your preferred method of getting your point across. You can give voice to some pretty important revelations and feelings if you do, and you should feel worlds lighter as a result. Don't keep your feelings to yourself when that isn't going to help anyone. Pisces February 19 – March 20 Your current relationship with money is improving. There is a rare conjunction overhead between luxurious Venus and soothing Chiron in your wealth sector, helping you make sure you aren't spending for the wrong reasons or distracting yourself with shiny things. It is natural to want to indulge in a bit of retail therapy — as long as you see it for what it is, and not an actual fix to any outstanding problems. After all, money can only give you so much emotional satisfaction.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Every Solo Song by a BTS Member to Chart on the Billboard Hot 100
BTS is one of the most successful acts in Billboard chart history. More from Billboard Sabrina Carpenter Fills Out BST Hyde Park Lineup With Clairo, Beabadoobee, Olivia Dean, Sola and More Charli xcx Re-Watched All the 'Final Destination' Movies and Has Her Own Idea For One: 'Just Hot People Getting Killed' Benson Boone Announces Fall 2025 U.K. and Ireland Arena Tour Dates Dating to the South Korean septet's first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017 with 'DNA,' the group has charted more than two dozen songs. Of those, 10 have reached the top 10 and six have gone all the way to No. 1: 'Dynamite' (three weeks at the summit in 2020); 'Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)' with Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo (one week, 2020); 'Life Goes On' (one week, 2020); 'Butter' (10 weeks, 2021); 'Permission to Dance' (one week, 2021); and 'My Universe' with Coldplay (one week, 2021). Outside the group, all seven BTS members have embarked on solo careers – and scored solo Hot 100 hits. Two — Jimin and Jung Kook — have even achieved solo No. 1s, with 'Like Crazy' and 'Seven' (featuring Latto), respectively. J-Hope became the first BTS member to notch a solo Hot 100 entry when 'Chicken Noodle Soup' featuring Becky G debuted and peaked at No. 81 in October 2019. SUGA was next (under his Agust D moniker) with 'Daechwita' in 2020, followed by V ('Christmas Tree,' January 2022), Jung Kook ('Stay Alive,' February 2022), JIN ('The Astronaut,' November 2022), RM ('Wild Flower' with Youjeen, December 2022) and Jimin ('Vibe' with TAEYANG, January 2023). As each member extends BTS' imprint with subsequent solo songs, here's a look at all seven members' solo histories on the Hot 100 (along with a look at all of BTS' entries), each listed chronologically as of the chart dated May 31, 2025. Song Title, Peak Position, Peak Date'Chicken Noodle Soup,' featuring Becky G, No. 81 peak, Oct. 12, 2019'More,' No. 82, July 16, 2022'Arson,' No. 96, July 30, 2022'On the Street,' with J. Cole, No. 60, March 18, 2023'LV Bag,' with Don Toliver, Pharrell Williams & Speedy, No. 83, March 8, 2025'Sweet Dreams' featuring Miguel, No. 66, March 22, 2025'Mona Lisa,' No. 65, April 5, 2025'Daechwita' (as Agust D), No. 76, June 6, 2020'Girl of My Dreams,' with Juice WRLD, No. 29, Dec. 25, 2021'That That' (PSY featuring Suga), No. 80, May 14, 2022'Haegeum' (as Agust D), No. 58, May 6, 2023'Christmas Tree,' No. 79, Jan. 8, 2022'Love Me Again,' No. 96, Aug. 26, 2023'Slow Dancing,' No. 51, Sept. 23, 2023'FRI(END)S,' No. 65, March 30, 2024'Winter Ahead' with Park Hyo Shin, No. 99, Dec. 14, 2024'White Christmas' with Bing Crosby, No. 93, Dec. 21, 2024'Stay Alive,' No. 95, Feb. 26, 2022'Left and Right' (Charlie Puth featuring Jung Kook), No. 22, July 9, 2022'Seven,' featuring Latto, No. 1 (for one week), July 29, 2023'3D,' with Jack Harlow, No. 5, Oct. 14, 2023'Too Much,' with The Kid LAROI & Central Cee, No. 44, Nov. 4, 2023'Standing Next to You,' No. 5, Nov. 18, 2023'Never Let Go,' No. 97, June 22, 2024'The Astronaut,' No. 51, Nov. 12, 2022'Running Wild,' No. 53, Nov. 30, 2024'Don't Say You Love Me,' No. 90, 2025'Wild Flower,' with Youjeen, No. 83, Dec. 17, 2022'Neva Play,' with Megan Thee Stallion, No. 36, Sept. 21, 2024 'Vibe' (Taeyang featuring Jimin), No. 76, Jan. 28, 2023'Set Me Free, Pt. 2,' No. 30, April 1, 2023'Like Crazy,' No. 1 (for one week), April 8, 2023'Angel, Pt. 1,' with Kodak Black, NLE Choppa, JVKE & Muni Long, No. 65, June 3, 2023'Smeraldo Garden Marching Band,' with Loco, No. 88, July 13, 2024'Who,' No. 12, Aug. 10, 2024'DNA,' No. 67, Oct. 14, 2017'Mic Drop,' featuring Desiigner, No. 28, Dec. 16, 2017'Fake Love,' No. 10, June 2, 2018'Idol,' featuring Nicki Minaj, No. 11, Sept. 8, 2018'Waste It on Me' (Steve Aoki featuring BTS), No. 89, Nov. 10, 2018'Make It Right,' featuring Lauv, No. 76, Nov. 2, 2019'Boy With Luv,' featuring Halsey, No. 8, April 27, 2019'Black Swan,' No. 57, Feb. 1, 2020'On,' No. 4, March 7, 2020'Filter,' No. 87, March 7, 2020'My Time,' No. 84, March 7, 2020'Dynamite,' No. 1, Sept. 5, 2020'Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),' with Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo, No. 1, Oct. 17, 2020'Life Goes On,' No. 1, Dec. 5, 2020'Fly to My Room,' No. 69, Dec. 5, 2020'Blue & Grey,' No. 13, Dec. 5, 2020'Telepathy,' No. 70, Dec. 5, 2020'Dis-ease,' No. 72, Dec. 5, 2020'Stay,' No. 22, Dec. 5, 2020'Film Out,' No. 81, April 17, 2021'Butter,' No. 1, June 5, 2021'Permission To Dance,' No. 1, July 25, 2021'My Universe,' with Coldplay, No. 1, Oct. 9, 2021'Yet To Come,' No. 13, June 25, 2022'Run BTS,' No. 73, June 25, 2022'Bad Decisions,' with Benny Blanco & Snoop Dogg, No. 10, Aug. 20, 2022'Take Two,' No. 48, June 24, 2023 Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
BTS Unveils Plans for 2025 Festa Celebration in South Korea
BTS has shared new details about its upcoming 2025 FESTA, marking the K-pop group's 12th anniversary. This year's offline celebration is set for June 13–14 at KINTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Goyang, South Korea. The event will be open to the public and feature interactive activities, including a FESTA-themed game zone, DIY photo card stations, and a coloring wall inspired by BTS' album artwork. More from Billboard Every Solo Song by a BTS Member to Chart on the Billboard Hot 100 Hailee Steinfeld Marries Bills QB Josh Allen in Southern California Wedding Miley Cyrus Talks Pop Star Peers, 'Winding Down' Her Focus on Mainstream Success After 'Something Beautiful' Attendees can also enjoy hourly light shows, explore a voice zone featuring messages from the BTS members, and visit an archive exhibit showcasing album covers, trophies and the members' personalized lockers. In conjunction with the in-person festivities, a lineup of online content — such as the annual 'BTS LIVE' and the family portrait — will be released. Exclusive merchandise will also be available. It remains unclear whether any BTS members will appear or perform at this year's FESTA. Billboard has reached out to the group's representatives for comment. At the 2024 FESTA, Jin made his first public appearance after completing his mandatory military service, personally greeting 1,000 fans with hugs. He also performed solo tracks 'The Astronaut' and 'Super Tuna,' along with BTS' 'Moon.' While none of the other BTS members were able to attend last year's FESTA, each wrote heartfelt letters to ARMY that were shared during the event. BTS made its Billboard chart debut in 2013, when 'No More Dream' entered at No. 14 on the World Digital Song Sales chart, eventually climbing to No. 2 seven years later. Since then, the group has shattered multiple records, including the most No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 and the most top 10 debuts among groups. In recent years, each of the seven members has also made a mark individually, with all scoring solo entries on the Hot 100. Check out the 2025 FESTA website for further details. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
