JIN addressed why he’s not listed in the credits for BTS’ fifth studio album, "ARIRANG", saying calmly, “There will be plenty of chances.”
In an April 15 YouTube interview with Rolling Stone, JIN looked back on making the album: “I missed the members a lot during my military service. Working together again felt like filling in that time, and I was reminded that I’m most at ease when I’m with them.”
He also shared specifics about the credit situation. “Around 100 songs were prepared for this album, and by the time I arrived, most of the work was already underway. I joined for about a week to 10 days to help narrow down and test tracks,” he said. “I’d had a solo tour scheduled months in advance, and the timing just didn’t line up.”
“It was a period when members were serving in the military, and we were keeping activities going for fans, so the work was nearly finished,” he continued. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed, but if I’d pushed to delay the sessions, the album release would have been pushed back too. Thinking about how long fans have been waiting, it was the best choice at the time. It’s not only about right now―there will be plenty of opportunities ahead.”
Previously, during a full-group live broadcast, the members shared that JIN joined the Los Angeles songwriting sessions late due to his solo tour schedule.
On being a 35-year-old idol, JIN said, “My body gets tired more than before, but that’s a personal issue. I always have to show my best performance, so I’m working harder. I know the areas where I fall short compared to the members, so I practice earlier or stay later to make up for it. Seeing how much the members want to tour makes me want to work even harder.”
On the team’s identity, he added, “We didn’t think exactly the same at first, but after a lot of conversations, we reached the conclusion that what we do is our identity. In the end, what matters is telling the stories we want to tell.”
As for his next goals: “Meeting fans is more important than my solo career. Over the next five years, I want to visit more countries and meet fans in person.”
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)