Set Me Free Pt.2

Album: Face (2023)
Charted: 30 30
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Songfacts®:

  • "Set Me Free Pt. 2" is the lead single from BTS singer Jimin's solo debut album, Face. Big Hit Music, the label that created BTS, released the song on March 17, 2023. Jimin chose "Set Me Free" as the first single because of its intense energy and his desire to make a powerful impact with his solo debut.
  • Jimin urgently repeats "set me free" many times in the chorus. In the verses, he talks about liberating himself from pain and suffering before declaring that he's "finally free."
  • It seems like Jimin had been feeling boxed in, but now he's able to fully express his art without any barriers or limitations holding him back. Asked by Consequence to explain the message behind the track, which he described as having "the energy of a light in the darkness," Jimin said he focused on themes of "determination, passion, and overcoming," and that the title is about him freeing himself. "I thought it was important that I be the one to set myself free," he continued, "not someone else. In the end, I'm the one who has to set myself free."
  • While "Set Me Free Pt.2" is labeled as a sequel, there isn't an original "Set Me Free" in Jimin's discography. Rather, the title is a nod to a song on BTS bandmate Suga's 2020 mixtape, D-2, under his alter ego, Agust D. "There isn't a connection, and we weren't trying to divide part one or part two," he said. "But since it turns out my song talks about freedom and moving forward, and Suga's song talks about some of the stories that come before, I thought it would be good to come after that."
  • Jimin co-wrote "Set Me Free Pt. 2" with Supreme Boi (BTS' "Euphoria," J-Hope's "Chicken Noodle Soup") and the track's producers, Pdogg and Ghstloop. Their production features an ominous choir backing, snapping hip-hop beat, majestic horns and an Auto-Tune breakdown.

    "When this song was made, I felt really attached to it," recalled Jimin. "I went to the US myself for the choir recording, and listening to it right next to them was truly amazing. I remember it as a really good memory."
  • Jimin, Supreme Boi, Pdogg and GHSTLoop were drinking when they put "Set Me Free Pt.2" together. This may have influenced some of the risqué lyrics, such as Jimin's mention of Hennessy cognac, which is not something you usually hear in K-pop songs.

    But wait, there's more! Jimin actually drops the F-bomb a couple of times in this track. Such cussing is surprising, coming from the lips of a K-pop star.
  • The song's music video is all about the performance and its intense energy. Directed by Oui Kim, it kicks off with a shot from above of dancers in a circular room, then they split apart to show Jimin standing in the middle. He jumps in and rocks out with the crew, doing some serious moves while the camera circles around them all.
  • When the song debuted at #30 on the Hot 100, Jimin became the first member of BTS to score an unaccompanied solo Top 40 hit on the chart.

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