It requires a unique kind of performer to step into a 20,000-seat arena and create an atmosphere reminiscent of both a birthday celebration and a televised game show.
On the first of two sold-out evenings at The O2, Jin, the eldest member of BTS, successfully accomplished this, transforming his global solo debut into an intimate and joyful experience distinctly his own.
The London stop of the #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR felt less like a traditional K-pop concert and more like a live extension of his playful web series Run Jin, celebrating his solo artistry while showcasing his humor and stage presence.
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Although he is best known as one-seventh of BTS – arguably the most impactful K-pop group of this generation – Jin has quietly cultivated a solo identity since being the first member to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service in June 2024.
His return was quick and purposeful, featuring two solo EPs, ‘Happy’ and ‘Echo’, which displayed both his comedic talent and his vocal development.
This tour, which started in Goyang and is passing through key cities in Asia, the U.S., and currently Europe, marks his first large-scale endeavor as a headlining artist. Yet, if he felt nervous, he hid it well.
The energy inside The O2 was charged from the very beginning. When the lights dimmed at precisely 8 PM, the audience erupted with one of the loudest welcomes the venue has ever experienced – a sustained wave of screams noted even by veteran arena staff.
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Jin appeared at the center of the stage wearing a blue-and-white letterman jacket featuring his name, perfectly embodying the TV emcee persona he often jokes about. He kicked off the show with the upbeat track ‘Running Wild’ from his lively album followed by the joyful ‘I’ll Be There’, energetically moving across a stage that extended deeply into the audience, setting a tone that prioritized character over music for the evening.
What distinguishes this show from other K-pop performances is its intentional absence of narrative formality. Instead of cinematic video interludes or tightly scripted transitions, which are typical for concerts of this nature, Jin’s performance resembled a live game show format.
Between songs, he guided fans through a series of interactive games inspired by Run Jin. One challenge, “Connect ARMY,” involved the audience silently acting out phrases while Jin guessed their meanings based solely on their gestures. The consequence for losing was performing the humorous song ‘Super Tuna’ while dressed in an inflatable alien costume, with fans in fish hats and tuna plushies joyfully participating in the fun.
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More games ensued: the “Sing Along Challenge” had the London audience confidently singing his BTS solo track ‘Moon,’ which impressed Jin enough to commend their pronunciation and singing ability, claiming it was the best he had encountered on his tour.
Throughout the night, the connection between Jin and the audience felt effortless, as he fostered affection with humor and vulnerability, often blurring the lines between host and performer.
Despite this focus on audience interaction, the music itself was always a priority. A significant portion of the lineup featured songs from ‘Echo’, an album that marked a noticeable shift from the ballad-centric style of ‘Happy’. Tracks like ‘With The Clouds’ and ‘Don’t Say You Love Me’ resonated clearly, particularly the latter with its lower vocal lines that showcased his expanding versatility as a solo artist.
He performed ‘Loser’, a pop-punk anthem featuring YENA, in a full band format, complete with on-screen lyrics to engage the crowd in a rousing singalong. The country-rock song ‘Rope It’ dazzled with red-and-yellow lightstick waves and Jin's sparkling western attire.
One of the standout vocal moments occurred during ‘Nothing Without Your Love,’ filled with emotional weight without veering into melodrama. ‘Abyss’ was presented at a purple-splashed upright piano under a single spotlight, offering a moment of profound introspection, while his a cappella introduction to ‘The Astronaut’ – spontaneously added after a game – was received with enthusiasm.
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As the concert advanced into its final third, the mood transformed from playful to nostalgic. A brief game-themed interlude set the stage for a BTS medley that included ‘Dynamite’, ‘Butter’, ‘Mikrokosmos’, and ‘Spring Day’, each met with fervent applause from devoted fans.
The encore commenced with ‘Epiphany’, Jin’s inaugural self-affirmative solo originally released with BTS, now reimagined with gentle orchestration. He revisited ‘Moon’, descending to the front row to encourage fans to sing the falsetto intro – playfully critiquing each attempt with a blend of mock disdain and affection. The night concluded with ‘To Me, Today’.
Jin’s tour will continue with two shows in Amsterdam on August 9th and 10th, wrapping up his journey of 18 dates.
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Words:
"Grandmother" is the first track that all three members collaborated on, and it also includes contributions from Laraaji.
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It requires a unique type of performer to enter a 20,000-seat arena and create the atmosphere of both a birthday celebration and a television game show.