Jimin, the lead vocalist and main dancer of the global phenomenon BTS, has made history once again with his solo single “Like Crazy”. The song, which was released on March 24, 2023 as the second single from his debut solo album Face, has become the fastest solo song by a Male K-pop soloist to reach 200 million streams on Spotify in just 69 days. It also debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Jimin the first South Korean solo artist to achieve this feat.
“Like Crazy” is a synth-pop track that showcases Jimin’s versatile vocals and emotional delivery. The song was produced by Pdogg and Ghstloop, two of BTS’s frequent collaborators, and written by Pdogg, Blvsh, Chris James, Ghstloop, Jimin, BTS bandmate RM, and Evan. There are two versions of the song: one in Korean and one in English. The Korean version talks about the realization of losing a loved one and holding on to a reality where they still exist, while the English version addresses the burden of stardom and fear of losing oneself.
The song was inspired by the 2011 film of the same name, starring Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin. The film tells the story of a British-American couple who struggle to maintain their long-distance relationship after being separated by immigration issues. Jimin said that he came across a video of a mashup between the film and a song by Breakbot on YouTube, and that led him to watch the film. He said that he was moved by the realistic and stark depiction of a breakup, and that he wanted to incorporate some elements of the film into his song. The song features whispered dialogue at the beginning and end of the track, which are also inspired by the film.
The music video for “Like Crazy” was directed by Oui Kim, who also directed BTS’s “Butter” and “Permission to Dance”. The video features Jimin in various settings, such as a hotel room, a rooftop, a car, and a stage. The video portrays Jimin’s inner conflict between his dream and reality, as well as his longing for someone who is no longer with him. The video also includes references to the film “Like Crazy”, such as a bracelet that Jimin wears on his wrist, which is similar to the one that Jones’s character gives to Yelchin’s character in the film.
“Like Crazy” has received critical acclaim from both fans and critics. Many praised Jimin’s vocal performance, songwriting skills, and artistic expression. Some also noted how Jimin explored different themes and genres in his solo album Face, which also includes songs like “Face-off”, “Interlude: Dive”, “Alone”, “Set Me Free Pt.2”, and “Letter”.
Jimin has proven himself to be not only a talented member of BTS, but also a successful solo artist with his own unique style and voice. His song “Like Crazy” has touched many hearts with its honest and heartfelt lyrics, catchy melody, and stunning visuals.