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Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Jin of BTS gives a master class in fan connection at Honda Center
Attending a BTS member's solo show is probably the best way to understand the power of the group beyond Western conceptions of boy bands and the limitations of the K-pop idol system. Jin, the eldest member of the group, has become the third bandmate to solo headline a world tour with his #RUNSEOKJIN_EP. Tour, which brought him to Anaheim's Honda Center on Thursday and Friday night. At the outset of the septet's 2022 break, Jin was on a time crunch. South Korea had raised the mandatory age of military enlistment from 28 to 30 years old (with legislation nicknamed the BTS law), and it was his time to go. Without time for a bigger project before heading off, he debuted the soaring single 'The Astronaut,' co-written by his favorite band, Coldplay, and paired with a nostalgia-tinged sci-fi music video. After he was discharged from the military in June of last year, he got straight to work releasing the upbeat pop-rock EP 'Happy,' followed six months later by his latest release, 'Echo,' which veered in a more indie direction. Much of the songs on the tour's 18-song set list come from both of these releases, sprinkled with a few of his earlier stand-alone singles. On Thursday's show, the over-18,000-capacity arena appeared nearly sold out, so far proving the group's famous fandom will show up for each member. Jin's particular brand of quirky, humorous and suave energy was on full display at both shows, drawing out an element of the group's alchemy that helps explain its broad appeal and devoted fans, while also showing how the group is a world unto itself. Perhaps more than any other BTS member, Jin seems to want to deliver to existing fans rather than reaching for more. The tour is designed as an exclusive love letter to the fandom with nearly every element of its design. Jin is especially skilled at merging elements of his personality and interests into an integrated intellectual property that transcends visuals, merchandising and format while remaining firmly in on the joke, as well as sincere and engaging. The name of the tour references his solo variety show called 'Run Seokjin,' which itself is an iteration of the group's variety show, 'Run BTS.' (Seok-jin is his birth name.) It provides a framework for the structure of the concert, as classic Korean variety-show elements are employed during the nearly two-hour-long set list. Preshow, concertgoers could be found in either official or fan-made merch with a dizzying array of references to either the artist's music, aspects of his personality or both. A cute alien figure, the character created for the space-themed 'The Astronaut,' graced headbands, while tuna hats and various fishing-related outfits nodded to the viral 'Super Tuna,' an EDM-meets-trot love anthem to a tuna fish and his love for fishing in general. There are even a few ramen-themed outfits, as he is now the face of a famous Korean ramen brand that coincidentally shares his name. A known gamer (some fans could also be seen in 'Super Mario' costumes), he began the show sauntering onstage in silence only to slam on a game-show buzzer that launched both a blast of confetti and the first strains of 'Running Wild,' the all-English-language pop-rock lead track off of 'Happy.' Within BTS' vocal line, Jin's ability to hit clear, clean high notes added to the group's reputation for songs in a high register, with the lower tenor work picked up by bandmates V and Jungkook. 'Running Wild,' however, begins with a beautifully low resonant tone that Jin has been able to explore more on his solo efforts. Throughout the show, he was anchored by guitarist Park Shin-won, bass player Yoo Hyun-wook, drummer Kim Dong-hyun, and keytar/keyboardist Kim Chang-hyun, all veteran players in the Korean music industry. But for the first half of the show, the band remained obscured by screens as the focus was on Jin, who cuts an almost young Elvis-like figure with his famously swoon-worthy good looks. In a later rock segment of the set, the band took on more visible prominence but remained as supportive figures. Clad in a glittery Gucci jean suit (he is a brand ambassador), Jin then exuberantly launched 'I'll Be There for You,' an uptempo rockabilly-tinged pop song with a sing-a-long chorus, a style that seems to be his rock 'n' roll safe space. The orchestrated madcap structure takes hold when backed by a running instrumental. Relatively early in the show, he announced that a short break was in order. A giant clock appeared, counting down the minute and a half onstage while he sipped water, vibed with his band and exchanged 'woofs' with the crowd. He transitioned into the lushly melancholy 'With the Clouds' off of 'Echo' — an interesting track with a cool 'backpedal' transition that highlights his softer midrange tone. But before the audience members got too deep in their feelings, at its conclusion, he offered them his best Zoolander stare and blew kisses — which they loudly ate up. 'Every show is a challenge,' he said in English, referring to the game-show format, 'And you and I have to do it together,' making it clear participation was expected going forward. He was not joking. He read out the rules for what was essentially an arena-scale game of charades between him and the audience, in which his number of wins determined which costume he donned for the next act. 'I have nine seconds to change my clothes, so be good and talk to the person next to you,' he quipped, leaving the stage with a countdown clock, popping up dutifully on time in a large fishing hat and boots. After the insanely campy 'Super Tuna,' he spun a 'Price Is Right'-style wheel to determine what song the audience will karaoke to as he changes again. The audience chose 'Anpanman,' a punchy BTS classic that played with lyrics as hilarious Y2K low-fi graphics of him singing bumps on the screen. Upon his return, clad in black, he accompanied himself on the longing ballad 'I Will Return to You' and transitions into 'Abyss.' Credited as a songwriter on almost all of his solo songs, 'Abyss,' a single released in 2020, delves into especially early feelings of self-doubt that are jarringly in contrast with his later confident demeanor. Both songs were not accompanied by subtitles, allowing the listener to focus on the particular beauty and comfort he embodies while singing in Korean and further underlining a focus on the fandom. After the fan chants of 'Kim Seokjin' died down, he switched back to rock mode with the gorgeous 'The Background.' Whether or not he has experienced real-life heartbreak is unknown — BTS members keep their lives private — but he makes you believe he has: 'Even if I call you / It echoes back and hurts me again / Even waiting / I try to convince myself it's love.' The campiness wasn't completely over as he thrilled fans again with 'Rope It,' a quirky, pop-country ditty where he gamely hip-swiveled and hat-tilted, channeling his inner Clint Black. A medley of BTS hits including 'Dynamite' and 'Butter' followed, where he danced a bit. Sexy frontman, variety-show host, rock star, comedian, he was everything for every fan. With all of its wacky charm and big confetti budget, the show remained remarkably minimalist; no fancy choreography or set pieces. Jin is comfortable onstage and at his most charming when going off script and speaking freely to the audience in Korean through a translator. It will be interesting to see where he takes his incredible vocal prowess as a solo performer in years to come — it's exciting to think of the possibilities of even a harder-edged sound or a full country album. But as the show slowly wound down, and after one last talk with the crowd, amid his trio of encore songs, perhaps lies the most compelling version of him. 'Epiphany,' off the 2018 BTS album 'Love Yourself: Answer,' offers both a sonic and mental self-actualization that has as he has transitioned from his 20s into his 30s: 'The real myself inside the smiling mask / I reveal it entirely / I'm the one I should love in this world / shining me, precious soul of mine.'
Pink Villa
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
D-5 to BTS' Jin's RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR yet no promotion schedule, fans call out HYBE's 'unfair treatment'
BTS member Jin is set to embark on the RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR on June 28 (Saturday). It will be his first-ever solo world tour and fans are eagerly waiting to see what he has in store for them. However, some ARMYs expressed disappointment at the lack of promotion for the upcoming event with less than a week remaining for the same. They accused BTS' agency HYBE LABELS of treating Jin unfairly compared to other members. HYBE LABELS accused of partiality for lack of promotions of Jin's world tour BTS ARMY is outraged at the lack of promotional activities of Jin's RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, including countdown posts, BTS' social media's layout changes, or even highlight banners. With D-5 to his first solo concert, fans expect the company to generate the same hype through their posts, like they have done for J-Hope's HOPE ON THE STAGE tour and other members' previous activities. However, they felt let down and accused the label of "unfair treatment for Jin only". Comparing it with the mistreatment often faced by a "step child", fans called the situation "infuriating." They felt the need to take the responsibility of promoting Jin's upcoming schedule if his agency neglects him. "LETS SHOW THEM WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF, ITS FOR TRUE ARMYS AND JIN STANS TO SHINE", a fan comment read. Past instances of mistreatment towards Jin Fans also brought up the fact that the Don't Say You Love Me singer was notably absent from a celebratory video made for BTS' 12th anniversary event earlier this month. This sparked renewed concerns about past issues, including the brief pre-order period for his 2022 single The Astronaut. There were also stock shortages for his 2024 EP Happy, and there were repeated cancellations of orders for his latest album Echo. Keeping in mind these past instances, BTS ARMY has come together to spread the word for Jin's tour through fan made posters and edits, sharing tour posters, venue schedules and by using related hashtags across social media platforms. It's heartwarming to witness the fans' unwavering love and support for the K-pop star, highlighting the strong connection they share.
Qatar Tribune
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Katara launches summer art workshops for children
QNA Doha The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) has launched a variety of summer art workshops for children and young adults, along with a series of educational shows at the Al Thuraya Planetarium. This year's workshops are part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the cultural scene and develop children's aesthetic sense. Katara indicated in a statement that these workshops, which include pottery making, mask painting, colouring and cartoon character design, will be held at its art studios in Building 19 over the course of July and August. The workshops will be supervised by a host of Qatari and resident artists and specialist trainers, ensuring the delivery of content that combines aesthetic value with an innovative educational approach. In this context, Head of the Art Exhibitions Department at Katara Hayya Al Mohannadi highlighted the Foundation's commitment to making the summer vacation an opportunity to hone young talents and provide children with a creative space that enhances self-confidence and artistic expression. She emphasised that these workshops are not merely for entertainment, but rather an extension of the Foundation's mission to spread culture, develop aesthetic taste among the generation, and stimulate their imagination and self-confidence. Al Mohannadi saidKatara believes that children are not necessarily born as artists, but are naturally creative by nature, requiring only the appropriate space and support to thrive, noting that the workshops are designed to enable children to express their ideas and dreams using simple yet profoundly impactful artistic tools. Each year, there is a noticeable increase in participation from families, which has led to a diversification of the workshops and an expansion of the target age groups to include children and adolescents of various ages. In parallel with the workshops, the Al Thuraya Planetarium at Katara presents a range of astronomical shows for children in 3D technology, every Monday and Wednesday of each week. The shows use an attractive visual style and 3D display techniques. The films include: The Astronaut, Space Oases, From Earth to the Universe, Traveling With Light, The Zula Patrol, Phantom of the Universe, Polaris, The Stars, 8 Scoops of Milky Way, and The Universe.
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GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Jin and J-Hope kick off BTS Festa 2025 by switching solo album concepts
It's June, which means one thing in ARMY land: it's Festa time! BTS kicked off their annual anniversary celebration with a special photoshoot featuring Jin and J-Hope, the two members who are out of the military. Jin and J-Hope switched album aesthetics just for the occasion. Jin turned J-Hope's 'Jack in the Box' album from 2022 into Jin in the Box with an all-white suit and beanie matched with whimsical poses, while J-Hope turned soft for 'The Astronaut'-style concept photos, with visuals inspired by outer space. The photoshoot is one of the planned activities for this year's BTS Festa. The group is set to mark their 12th anniversary since their debut on June 13. According to the calendar released by BigHit Music, more activities include the release of Photo (Classic Version), 613 for ARMY, 613 with ARMY, and many more leading to Congratulations on June 13. BTS is set to reconvene as a group this year following the members' mandatory military service. Jin and J-Hope completed their service in 2024. Jin has since released the albums 'Happy' and 'Echo' and is set to go on a solo tour. Meanwhile, J-Hope released the singles 'Sweet Dreams and 'Mona Lisa.' He visited the Philippines in April for a two-night concert for the Hope on the Stage Tour. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
See - Sada Elbalad
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
BTS Reveals Plans for 2025 Festa Celebration in South Korea
Yara Sameh BTS has revealed new details about their upcoming 2025 FESTA, marking the K-pop group's 12th anniversary. FESTA is a yearly event that brings together BTS and their fans, ARMY, to celebrate their debut 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. 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 — Jin, RM, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — will appear or perform at this year's FESTA. 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, also known as the Bangtan Boys, began forming in 2010 after Big Hit Entertainment founder Bang Si-hyuk recruited RM followed by Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. However, the band officially debuted in 2013. Since then, the artists have gone on to experience dynamite success, including two Grammy nominations, six no. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and an ARMY of fans. In recent years, each of the seven members has also made a mark individually, with all scoring solo entries on the Hot 100. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
