When the credits for Jin’s new album were unveiled, my eyes immediately fell upon one name: Gary Barlow. I would have never expected to see the British Take That member’s credit on a K-pop release. Barlow has written a fair amount of fantastic music, but his taste also tends to be a bit milquetoast. Of course, HYBE’s music has also trended toward easy-listening of late, so his adult contemporary touch makes some sense. After the upbeat (but unremarkable) pre-release I’ll Be There, I was hoping title track Running Wild would give Jin a bit more grit.
Running Wild is the weirdest thing because it does sound exactly like a Take That song circa 2006. I hear Barlow’s voice in every bit of this, which is both a boon and liability. I appreciate that the song has a perspective, but it feels strange that this is so clearly someone else’s perspective transposed onto a K-pop setting. This style of anthemic Britpop isn’t something we hear often from Korean idols. It’s a sound I tend to enjoy, though I’ve come to expect that Korean producers will twist and nudge it in ways that feel unique to this industry. Instead, Running Wild is a solid copy-and-paste job.
The song fits well with Jin’s vocal tone and he excels whenever the melody lets him dive into his rich lower register. However, the falsetto-driven chorus could have used a more robust arrangement to match the surging guitar. Judging from his solo discography so far, Jin clearly enjoys this style. And as predictable as the structure and execution is, it’s nice to hear an open-hearted melodic approach in K-pop. I just wish Running Wild didn’t feel like Jin singing karaoke. He has untapped potential to deliver something much more nuanced and specific than this style of serviceable, fairly anonymous pop/rock.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
as an army im destined to love this one, especially when its a britpop style like this
jin sells this song excellently and im in love with the synth riff in each instrumental break
a definite 8.5
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probably my favorite BTS solo song to date
9.25/10 (9, 9, 9, 10)
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I absolutely get what you mean. I really like the song, and the sound does fit what Jin likes and his voice, but there is something personal missing in a way. I think it can be the production though, because live performances of I’ll Be There popped for me. I still truly like this so the grade feels fair.
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Ooh yes, the IBT live performance video added a lot to the song. I’m really keen to see how this entire album shapes up when performed live.
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I’m really enjoying this style of britpop/rock music Jin has. It fits him so well. That’s all I got.
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I’m pretty new to K-pop, and this song feels so real and warm amidst all the breathy/ boppy stuff I’ve been exposed to over the past few months, which admittedly is an algorithmic fact I need to find a way to work around.
I’ve really grown to enjoy Jin’s music specifically, he has a capacity to make you feel something when he sings, which this 90s kid no longer takes for granted. I think Running Wild is a worthy successor to the Astronaut, although there are a couple of other tracks on this album that might be even better. Heart on the Window with Wendy, Another Level….still figuring out my favorites.
TLDR – Your rating is a bit stern? Jin is increasingly my go-to guy for happy/sad rock.
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Ooh, I love it. The chorus could use a bit of vocal layering, and the song defo needs to be extended, but I liked it.
8.75 (9, 9, 8, 9) for me.
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Jin sounds lovely here – I can hear his joy in singing this kind of song, which elevates it for me. He sells it. Kpop has sounded a bit tired to me lately, but this is fresh and bright.
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Take That circa 2006?? lol did you even listen to what they put out in 2006? “Beautiful World” sounds nothing like this.
This sounds more like 2010-2014 Take That. Progress & Wonderland.
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Jin just knows how to pick straight ahead pop bops. Its hard to complain about a solid pop song like this.
The chorus is a touch too high for his voice. He doesn’t sound comfortable or in any sweet spot. If this is what the recording sounds like, standing still in a room, well rested, then the live will not improve on it. They should have put in an old fashioned back up singers , and have those back up singers on the live stage who sing the lines while he walks around the stage and sings only one or two lines and some adlib whoops. Its ok to not have to belt every chorus. Its ok to use back up singers.
Other than that, no complaints here.
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Off Topic: Classy “Love Game” B-side released today is really good. Classic kpop sound featuring that rare event these days: an honest to goodness key change. Their main release, whatever it is called, is the latest in the NewJeans sound and it skippable (for me).
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Yeah I noticed that about the chorus too and it really makes the song less enjoyable for me!
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I like the song. Very Jin, I’d say. I could’ve loved it if:
First, he varied the delivery of the chorus at some point. Maybe as a bare softer or even better, a full voice all out outro? They could’ve done that very easily and make it a 3 minute song, which brings me to my Second issue…
It’s too short! I really really really wanted more.
Third…can he even sing that chorus live? I don’t know anything about singing but, isn’t this too high? Maybe the live performances will dissipate this issue.
For now, 8.25
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Totally what I was expecting from him and I loved it. Just wished it had an all out outro as well, the song ended abruptly for me. Also, I can’t wait to listen to the live version. Jin’s solo songs have always sounded better live to me, even the old BTS album solo tracks.
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Weird that this is giving me nostalgia to when I used to listen to Take That even thought it’s a new song.
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I love this genre, and he had me on the verses, but the chorus is definitely way too high.
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I enjoyed most of the song but I wish the chorus wasn’t pitched so high, that spoilt it for me a bit. As is becoming the norm though it’s too short & ends too abruptly for me.
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chorus really made me feel uncomfortable
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Christ this is dull
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I went through a Take That phase at some point (The Flood is still one of my favourite songs, so much nostalgia) so this is a weird full circle moment! This is a great song, I think Jin has great taste, but the chorus especially doesn’t sound like he’s comfortable singing and it really brings down the listening experience for me unfortunately.
I also have a chance to bring up my most recent favourite band here: Falling was produced by ONE OK ROCK’s Taka and Toru! Nothing crazy but it’s nice, I like it.
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The best
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