Amidst the impending departure for mandatory military service, BTS member Jimin has chosen a unique way to bid farewell to the BTS Army with his latest solo single, “Closer Than This.” Rather than a somber goodbye, the song serves as a touching love letter, assuring fans that this is not the end but a temporary separation.
Jimin, who recently commenced his military enlistment process in South Korea, expresses his emotions through poignant lyrics that capture the essence of the group’s journey and their unbreakable bond. References to shared memories and the enduring unity of BTS echo throughout the verses.
“Whenever it rains, I’ll remember the times I sang in the rain. Whenever it snows, I’ll cherish how you smiled for me in the snow,” Jimin sings, intertwining metaphors with the group’s musical history. The chorus resonates with the sentiment that, despite physical distance, their hearts remain interconnected: “Seven equals one, right, our hearts still beat as one.”
The singer’s dreams of reunion are vividly portrayed in the lyrics: “Let’s sing it together, this song, for the day we’ll reunite again with a pat on the back, gazing at one another with tears in our eyes, calling out each other’s names.”
The announcement earlier this month by BIGHIT Music about Jimin, RM, V, and Jung Kook joining their fellow bandmates in fulfilling military service obligations has undoubtedly left fans eagerly awaiting the day when BTS will grace the stage together once again in 2025.
Reflecting on the journey with BTS, Jimin acknowledges the support of the fans who have been with them every step of the way: “Starting on June 13, to the us of the present, here and now. Even if you’re not here at the same place, always, I could never let you go.”
“Closer Than This” stands as Jimin’s first solo release since his debut album, “Face,” earlier this year. In a pre-release interview with Rolling Stone, he shared insights into the album’s concept: “In this album, I look back at myself. I heard that the word ‘face’ has many different meanings. Of course, it has the meaning of the noun, face, but it also means, ‘to face, to [confront],’ as a verb. So in order to stand at this new starting point and begin a new journey, I thought it would be necessary to look back at myself and face myself entirely.”
As Jimin embarks on this new chapter, “Closer Than This” becomes a poignant anthem, a testament to the enduring connection between the artist and the devoted BTS Army, ensuring that the bond remains unbroken despite the physical distance.
