On the evening of August 5, 2025, London's O2 Arena witnessed a historic moment as Jin, the oldest member of global phenomenon BTS, kicked off his first solo European tour. The RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, which had already passed through South Korea, Japan, and the United States, arrived in the UK capital with a promise of joy and connection. For the thousands of fans—known collectively as ARMY—who traveled from across Europe, this was not just a concert but a celebration of individuality and shared love for music.
Clad in everything from cowboy costumes to giant fish outfits, the audience reflected the eclectic spirit of Jin himself. The show began with the artist pressing a giant button on stage, unleashing the opening tracks "Running Wild" and "I'll Be There" from his debut solo album "Happy." These songs set the tone for an evening that prioritized fun over perfection, as Jin deliberately stepped away from the polished choreography and flashy effects of mainstream K-pop. Instead, he relied on his four-piece band, his voice, and the participatory energy of the crowd.
A Night of Games and Laughter
The concert was structured like an oversized episode of Jin's YouTube series "Run Jin," featuring challenges that engaged the audience. In one segment, fans mimed words while Jin guessed; in another, they competed to earn him a new costume. The result was a giant karaoke session where Jin disappeared backstage, leaving fans to belt out "Moon" from BTS's album "Proof." The highlight of comedic relief came with "Super Tuna," a silly song about fishing that went viral and even spawned a real canned tuna endorsement in South Korea. Dressed in an alien costume, Jin had the entire arena screaming along to lyrics about seafood—a moment that underscored his refusal to take himself too seriously.
Intimate Ballads and Rock Energy
The evening's emotional core came during the piano segment. Seated at a white grand piano, Jin performed the moving ballads "I Will Come to You" and "Abyss." The latter, written during the COVID-19 pandemic after BTS's global hit "Dynamite," openly discusses the singer's burnout. Stripped of backing tracks, his raw vocal delivery silenced the arena. Later, he shifted to rock territory with "Another Level," a track inspired by his love for video games, complete with a guitar solo reminiscent of classic 8-bit soundtracks. This versatility—moving from tender vulnerability to gritty rock—demonstrated Jin's range as a performer.
A Medley of BTS Favorites and a Surprise Duet
No Jin concert would be complete without honoring the group that made him famous. He launched into a medley of BTS hits: "Dynamite," "Butter," "Mikrokosmos," and "Spring Day." The audience sang every word, creating a choir that nearly drowned out the sound system. He then performed "The Astronaut," co-written with Coldplay, a poignant track recorded as a gift before his 18-month military service. One of the most touching moments came when he sang "Epiphany," a self-love anthem from BTS's "Love Yourself: Answer" album. Jin's voice cracked with emotion as 14,000 fans sang back the chorus: "I'm the one I should love in this world." He recalled performing the same song at the O2 Arena years ago with BTS, and thanked the fans who had been with him from the beginning.
Fan Interaction and a Newfound Confidence
Jin surprised the audience by descending into the crowd during "Moon," handing his microphone to random fans to sing with him. He even praised their vocal abilities, saying they were "the best singers since the start of the tour." Throughout the evening, he joked in English, occasionally teased the audience for their imperfect Korean, and threw kisses. The concert also highlighted the diversity of ARMY: families, couples, elderly women, and many men—a point Jin later noted on Weverse. The atmosphere was inclusive and non-judgmental, a space where everyone could be themselves.
The setlist concluded with "To Me, Today," a letter Jin wrote to himself after over a decade in the industry. The lyrics reflect gratitude, resilience, and self-acceptance. As confetti fell and the lights came up, it was clear that Jin had achieved his goal: to spread happiness. The RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR continues in London on Wednesday, then moves to Amsterdam, where the August 9 show will be broadcast live in cinemas worldwide. For now, the memory of a night where K-pop's boundaries were joyfully blurred remains.
Source: Parismatch News