Since my initial introduction to K-Pop in late 2016 after the release of Blood, Sweat and Tears by the group BTS, my taste in this genre of music has evolved to include many other artists within the industry. Currently, I am looking to expand my music collection to include more Korean solo artists, ranging from vocally driven ballads to explosive pop hits that make a listener practice the accompanying dance routine at the first given opportunity. But, as an introduction, I would like to share a list of my top solo songs from each member of BTS as the music artists that introduced me to the genre. Ranging from ballads to hip hop, I hope these songs can resonate with you.
Note: The song lyrics have been translated from Korean except the solos by RM and V. Song translations are courtesy of Genius Translations.
- tokyo – rm
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Life is a word that sometimes you cannot say
And ash is a thing that someday we all should be
When tomorrow comes
How different it’s going to be?
Kim Nam-joon, artistically known as RM, is the leader and one of the rappers of BTS. But outside his role in BTS, RM is a brilliant music artist who creates signature solos with mellow beats and emotionally charged lyrics that capture his poetic perception of the world. In “tokyo,” the lyrics flesh out emotional qualms relating to uncertainty and longing which are paired with RM’s vocals, a slight shift from his usual rapping. The reason this is my favorite solo by RM is because its slow melody and message create a sense of personal deliberation over our own wishes within a state of longing.
- epiphany – jin (BTS)
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I’m the one I should love in this world
Shining me, precious soul of mine
I finally realized so I love me
Not so perfect but so beautiful
I’m the one I should love
Kim Seok-jin, artistically known as Jin, is one of the vocals of BTS and the oldest member. “Epiphany” is one of Jin’s most vocally driven solos while also one of the most honest portrayals of the concept of love. Through a repeat of the phrase “I should love myself,” this song is my favorite because it affirms the self-love that Jin constantly portrays. While Jin’s confidence and catchphrase of “worldwide handsome” could be seen as fan service, Jin healthily portrays a genuine appreciation of the self, which makes this song fitting for him to sing. “Epiphany” brings together the message of Love Yourself: Answer, BTS’ 2018 compilation album, in a self-love anthem of soft vocals and touching lyrics. This is my favorite Jin solo because the message, paired with his sweet voice, encourages me to take a second to appreciate myself. As the song affirms, loving ourselves is one of the most important realizations we should have.
- trivia: seesaw – Suga (bts)
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Let’s not look at each other who will get off first
Let’s not drag things out
Let’s follow our hearts
Let’s put an end to this
A repeated seesaw game
Let’s stop it now
Min Yoon-gi, artistically known as Suga, similar to RM, is one of the rappers in BTS and a frequent producer of music for BTS’ discography and for other Korean or Western artists. However, it is Suga’s touch over his own music that sets it apart from his other creative projects. “Trivia: Seesaw,” also from Love Yourself: Answer, has its own flair as Suga showcases his lyrical talent by curating seesaw imagery to symbolize an unsteady relationship. While Suga also releases mixtapes under the name of Agust D, which show a different side of his artistry, this song is my favorite solo of his as I am a sucker for a good metaphor and his vocals and rap in this song add a dynamic that is overall fitting for the concept of the album.
- hope world – j-hope
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Okay, shout out to my Hope World
Whoever you may be
Let’s go one round around the world
Like a novel, my very own feel (Feel)
Jung Ho-seok, artistically known as J-Hope, is one of the main dancers of BTS and a trained rapper. Despite not having a background in rapping before joining BTS like RM and Suga, J-Hope is exceptionally talented in creating music that embodies his personality and his skill, primarily through the release of his 2018 mixtape, Hope World. Through catchy beats and cool rap, “Hope World,” the first song of J-Hope’s self-produced mixtape, is able to effectively represent his brand as a musical artist. This is my personal favorite of this mixtape because as soon as the song starts, I begin to smile, and it seems like a call for me to get up and dance. The lyrics are another element that captures the story that J-Hope hopes to tell about the world he has created for himself—both artistically and personally. This song is an embodiment of happiness, and for that, I listen to it often.
- lie – jimin (bts)
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Caught in a lie
Find the me that was pure
I can’t be free from this lie
Give me back my smile
Park Ji-min, artistically known as Jimin, is one of the vocalists and dancers of BTS. BTS’ 2016 album, Wings, became one of the main catalysts for the members to become the global superstars they are today for the incredible group songs and solos that make up the album. But one song that stands out is Jimin’s solo song, “Lie.” Trained in contemporary dance, the musical elements of “Lie” reflect a suave and sensual revelation into Jimin’s talents as a performer and dancer. The instrumentals in the intro of this song accentuate Jimin’s powerful vocals that enhance the tone of this song, carrying the lyrical story forward in an incredible delivery from start to finish. This song is my favorite solo of Jimin’s because of its captivating allure in terms of production but also in the pure passion that Jimin’s voice conveys that captivates the ear.
- sweet night – v
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How could I know
One day, I’d wake up feeling more
But I had already reached the shore
Guess we were ships in the night, night, night
Kim Tae-hyung, known artistically as V, is one of the vocalists for BTS. As one of the group’s vocalists, V manages to captivate listeners with his deep but soft vocals, a pleasant baritone. V’s mellow personality comes across in many of his solos, but none as strongly as in “Sweet Night.” V’s metaphorically honey-toned voice is smooth and silky in this song, which adds to the feeling of nostalgia and longing that the song creates through the lyrics as well. This is my favorite V solo song as it is a manifestation of heartwarming lyrics intended to soothe the listener’s hearts, and, to me, this song is a warm hug on a cold winter’s night through comforting instrumentals and rich vocals.
- still with you – jungkook
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That faint voice of yours that grazed me
Please call my name one more time
I’m standing still under the frozen light, but
I will walk towards you, step by step
Still with you
Jeon Jung-kook, artistically known as Jungkook, is the main vocalist and youngest member of BTS. While Jungkook has covered many songs in his career, he tends to stick to songs that are emotional in lyrics and tone, ranging from a slowed-down version of “2U” by Justin Bieber to “Falling” by Harry Styles. In his original song, “Still With You,” Jungkook brings forth these emotions through a slightly more upbeat sound to enhance the desperation and yearning of the story behind the lyrics. This is my favorite Jungkook song given that it is his own, and a result of the lyrical representation of sentiments that he merges with the overall sound in an alluring manner.
In all, each song of BTS’s discography has its own dynamics that can target many audiences to become hooked to their music. Additionally, each solo song is diverse in its ability to showcase certain elements of the individual talent of each member, both within the group and outside it. For this reason, BTS continues to be the most dynamic and talented group of this music era.