Jin of BTS’s presence in New York City reverberated from the top of the Empire State Building Tuesday night with a lighting ceremony, marking the release of his second solo album ‘Echo.’
South Korean juggernauts BTS have cemented themselves as contemporary global superstars, the likes of which have not been seen since Beatlemania. While the group has been on hiatus due to mandatory military service, they’ve managed to shine individually with their solo music releases. Fresh off his military enlistment, Jin is celebrating the release of his second album, ‘Echo’ and preparing to embark on his first solo tour this summer with two shows at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on July 30 and 31.
“Echo explores the myriad moments of life and presents Jin’s perspective on universal experiences, capturing everyday emotions with warmth and wit. We are marking this special occasion with the opportunity for fans around the world to visit the Empire State Building observatory experience while tuning into a live Q and A and exclusive performance by Jin from the building’s 80th floor, hosted by iHeartRadio. So tonight, our world-famous tower lights will shine in pink, yellow, white, and light blue to celebrate Jin’s new album,” said Susanne Lieu, Senior Vice President, Chief Counsel, Real Estate, for Empire State Realty Trust.
A rush of gasps and the sound of cameras clicking accompanied Jin as he entered the Empire State Building. With a bowed head and shy smile, he greeted the press for the lighting ceremony, humbled by the attention.
“Releasing my second solo album ‘Echo’ has been all about strength and moments, emotions that resonate in all our lives. Each song is like an echo, a reflection of love, friendship, and the journey we all take together,” Jin said with the aid of a translator. “I am reminded how this building lights up the city, so as music lights up our hearts. Tonight will shine blue for hope, pink for love, and yellow for joy and white for new beginnings; colors that echo the spirit of this album and the dreams we share,” Jin said.
Often heralded as the group’s comedian, Jin’s new album digs deep into his personal experiences and unveils a more emotional side to the K-Pop idol. Jumping into a rockstar energy with ‘Echo,’ Jin shared with his fans, affectionately known as ARMY, that he wanted to lay his heart bare and present a more authentic musical experience to listeners. In just seven tracks, Jin talks about love, loss, being at a crossroads with life, and other encounters that reverberate in our everyday lives.
As the sun began over the city skyline, about a hundred fans gathered on the Empire State Building’s 80th floor thanks to Z100’s contest corner where they were able to sit in on an interview between Jin and radio host Crystal Rojas. The bright-eyed and energetic radio personality quizzed the K-Pop icon on his inspiration behind the new album, upcoming tour, and exploration into country rock, and what he enjoys doing on his days off. Jin shared that he hopes his album is like an echo that gently lingers in the hearts of listeners, where they can see his growth and who he is as a person.
“To my ARMY: Thank you for being my inspiration, my strength, and my echo around the world. Your love is what makes all of this possible,” Jin said.
In addition to the interview, fans were also treated to a live performance of his title track, “Don’t Say You Love Me.”
For longtime BTS supporter and Long Island resident Heather Williams, 36, the opportunity to watch her favorite idol perform in such an intimate setting left her in tears and still shaking over the encounter.
“I’ve been a fan of BTS since 2015 and Jin and Hobi have been my ultimate biases since that day. I never thought that he would do a solo tour. This is so unreal, especially because we just found out that we were coming at 5:30 pm, so we’re like, not even sure where we are right now. We haven’t taken it all in, but I’m so proud of him. He’s come out of his shell so much. His voice is so beautiful. I hope he knows that. I hope that he enjoys his tour, and he knows how much ARMY loves him, and I’m just so grateful to be able to share this moment with him,” Williams said, clutching onto her BTS light stick.
Jin’s visit to the Empire State Building was not the only fan-centered experience during his trip to New York City. Approximately 1,000 raffle winners who purchased his album on the Weverse, a global fandom platform, will be treated to a hi-touch session (fans are able to give Jin a high-five and converse with him briefly) on May 22.
