By Hazel Camba
BTS have once again solidified their status as one of the world’s leading boy bands after band member Jin broke records with his first solo tour, becoming the highest-grossing Asian solo artist in concert history.
According to Pop Core, citing Billboard’s monthly Top Tours Chart, Kim Seok-jin’s #RunSeokjin ep_Tour grossed USD32.5 million and brought in more than 217,000 fans across 18 sold-out shows.
He was also the first Korean solo act to headline London’s O2 Arena, one of the world’s premier venues.
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Fans, media praise Jin’s record-breaking concert
Jin’s first solo tour was not only a financial triumph but also a critical success, earning praise from both fans and media for his powerful yet steady vocals and captivating stage presence.
On “X,” one fan described Jin as “powerful and phenomenal,” saying he truly deserved the spotlight of his own solo concert.
Another praised the concert for showcasing his “vocal supremacy, unmatched stamina, powerful stage presence, impeccable charm, and playful nature.”
American magazine Rolling Stone also gave Jin’s solo concert in London a five-star rating, saying that the concert shows a satisfying glimpse of what fans can enjoy while awaiting BTS’ grand return next year.
It called the concert “chaotic, unpredictable and endlessly entertaining – the embodiment of Jin himself.”
That spirit came to life when Jin playfully performed “Super Tuna,” a light-hearted track he released in 2021 as a surprise gift for fans.
Dressed in a quirky green alien costume that looked as if it was carrying him, Jin jumped, clapped, and danced with full energy. The crowd matched his enthusiasm, singing and dancing along with him.
Yet the concert was not only about fun – he also moved fans to tears during “Spring Day,” when he was seen with glistening eyes on stage.
The fun doesn’t stop here
The tour ran for 47 days, starting in Korea, followed by two cities in Japan and four in the US, as well as London and Amsterdam.
At his final stop in Amsterdam, Jin reassured ARMY (BTS fans) that this was only the beginning.
“Don’t be too disheartened that this tour is coming to an end, since there will be a new beginning with the team,” he told fans at the final show, as quoted by The Korea Herald.
Soon after, BTS echoed his words in a livestream, announcing plans for a world tour next year along with a new album.
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