BTS's Jin has made his long-awaited solo debut The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 20, promoting his first solo album, Happyy.
Among the gems from the revealing interview, Jin told the fascinating story behind receiving a guitar from none other than Coldplay's Chris Martin.
“Are you a big rock fan? And who is your favorite rock artist?' Host Jimmy Fallon asked Jin, who responded in his native language, with English subtitles reading: “I really, really love Coldplay… I had the opportunity to work with Coldplay before. A few years ago—before this album—Chris Martin gave me a song he wrote. We worked together and it was an honor for me.”
While discussing his new album, Fallon asked, “I heard he gave you a guitar?”
“Yes!” Gene confirmed, explaining: “I was hanging out with Chris Martin and he had a guitar from his tour, I jokingly asked him, 'Can I have that guitar?' Chris Martin said 'Of course!'”
“I was so happy. It is now a family heirloom,” Jin added.
It seems the feeling is mutual, with the Coldplay frontman once sharing his adoration for the K-pop star in a 2023 video, saying: “I really love this guy.”
Once he returned from his mandatory military service in June, Jin also used his time Fallon to share anecdotes about reuniting with his BTS bandmates, the origins of his playful nickname “Worldwide Handsome,” and teaching Fallon the choreography for his viral hit “Super Tuna.”
A highlight of the night was Jin's highly anticipated live performance of “Running Wild,” a standout track from his debut solo work. Wearing a sparkly pastel green fringed jacket, the K-pop superstar performed the new tune against the stunning backdrop of a desert highway, with the stage decorated with street signs.
THE Happy The album features six tracks, including “Running Wild,” “I'll Be There,” “Another Level,” “Falling,” “Heart on the Window” (a collaboration with Red Velvet's Wendy), and “I Will Come to you.”
Jin's appearance comes six years after BTS debuted as a full band on Fallon's show. In 2018, the group—which also consists of SUGA, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—performed the Billboard Hot 100 No. 11 hits “Idol” and “I'm Fine”, as well as tried out that year's dance trend “Fortnite”.
In 2020, the boys did a series of Tonight show performances — including some mock musical numbers on the show to lighten ARMY's moods during the COVID-19 pandemic — before returning again in 2021 for performances of No. 1 hits “Butter” and “Permission to Dance”. Jin's bandmates Jimin and SUGA have since made their own solo debuts on the show.
Jin's last appearance in the Fallon is hot after the release of his debut solo album, Happywhich was released on November 15. In a recent interview, Jin said about the project, “I have a very clear idea of what kind of feelings I want to share with our fans… I want our fans, our ARMY, to be happy.”
Jin's solo era is unfolding as most of the BTS boys are still completing their mandatory service in the South Korean military, which the “Abyss” artist became the first to complete in June. J-Hope is the only other member of the group to have completed his since then. Full zone operations are on hiatus until next year.
Watch Jin's interview at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon here, as well as his live performance on “Running Wild” here.
