When asked about the music video for “Set Me Free Pt.2”, Jimin smiles in a way that can only be described as mischievous. The dancer, vocalist and BTS member chat with Follow over Zoom in a conversation designed specifically around the dynamic pre-release single for his upcoming solo project, FACEwhich will be published on March 24.
Wearing an oversized bomber jacket and a trusty bucket hat at HYBE’s Seoul office, Jimin displays the kind of range in conversation that many think of when they see him perform on stage – he’s playful, cheerful and chatty; he is also equally thoughtful and serious in considering his work. “When this song was made, I felt really attached to it,” he recalls. “I went to the US myself to record the choir and listening to it right next to them was really amazing. I remember it as a very good memory.”
This album marks Jimin’s first solo project – like his fellow BTS members, he has plenty of individual tracks within the band’s sprawling discography, but the release of FACE want to see Jimin take center stage in a different way. He formulates it as “a new starting point.”
When the track list for the album was revealed, many noticed that this pre-release single was designated as “Pt.2” despite the fact that Jimin has no existing songs to his name titled “Set Me Free”. He confirms it’s a nod to a track on bandmate SUGA’s second Agust D mixtape, D-2. “There’s no connection, and we didn’t try to split part one or part two,” he explains. “But since it turns out that my song is about freedom and moving on, and SUGA’s song is about some of the stories that come before, I thought it would be good to get after that.”
Dedicated fans – and anyone lucky enough to see BTS live – recognize Jimin as a unique talent. His background in modern dance and ballet shaped him into a hypnotic stage presence. His unique vocals stop people in their tracks. He is the next member of the band to release solo material, a job he did not take lightly. “You know, the members felt very nervous before releasing their solo album, but compared to those feelings, their results were absolutely amazing,” he says. “I do not want to embarrass my members. I will be a proud member of BTS.”
“Set Me Free Pt.2” is a song that announces Jimin’s solo arrival in a big way – big horns, the aforementioned chorus, assertive lyrics and a serious beat. As with all other decisions surrounding the record, the choice to lead with this single (the album’s closer) was a conscious one. “This album is about how I look back at myself and how I overcame… If people understand the feelings I’m trying to express, I’ll consider the album a success,” he says.
Listen to “Set Me Free Pt.2” and read Jimin’s Origin’s breakdown of the key points behind the track below.
Performance
Jimin, photo courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
At first we tried to focus on the performance and express the really intense mood of the song. The key point was freedom – and indeed we were drinking at the time. This is the last track on the album; the last of the emotions. It’s very intense, so I wanted to announce a “Jimin solo” in an impactful way.
Autonomy
Jimin, photo courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
We tried to express the grand scale of the song and (the ideas of) determination, passion and overcoming. “Set me free” means to set myself free, so I thought it was important that I be the one to set myself free – not someone else. In the end, it’s me who has to set myself free.
Performances of “ON” by BTS
There is a song called “ON” by BTS. I think you can feel the same vibe when you see the “ON” performance that you will see this performance. You will feel that feeling again.
Light and Darkness
Photo courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
I would say that the song has the energy of a light in the dark. I wanted to express the kind of image that everyone has in their head – a ray of light entering the darkness is all you can see. If I had to say specific colors, I would say black and white.