Ahead of an eventual BTS reunion once everyone has completed their military service, oldest member Jin is back with his second solo mini album. I recently enjoyed watching him as part of the cast of Netflix variety series Kian’s Bizarre B&B, where he came off very well and added a quirky sense of humor. That personality doesn’t always transfer to his solo music, even when its rock edge holds potential for artistic color.
New single Don’t Say You Love Me plays things extremely safe. That doesn’t automatically have to be a bad thing. After all, Jin has proven adept at delivering a pleasant radio sound. His voice brings character to even the most straightforward pop songs. However, there comes a time when you must lace a song like this with another layer to keep things fresh. Don’t Say You Love Me could be a solo track from literally any male artist ever. It’s almost genre-less in its soft appeal. I can’t imagine anyone hating this, but it’s also hard to see what would make a listener become dangerously obsessed with music so “nice.”
Don’t Say You Love Me‘s melodies are tried and true because we’ve heard them before. The chord progression is predictable in a comforting way and Jin’s light vocal slides effortlessly over the top. But like too much of his work, the song lacks any friction. The music is just there, playing in the background as we admire the pretty cinematography. I suppose there’s a time and a place for this kind of numbing agreeability, but I have to believe Jin is interested in more daring material. As a fan, I know I am.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
it’s a nice track, but it could be a little more excitcting. It does serves its purpose of being an easy listening song
7.75/10 (8, 8, 8, 7) for me
also current thoughts of idntt (modhaus net boy group that’s apparently gonna be a male version of triples)
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I love it , easy listening beautiful melody and I like it is whole in English, English lyrics suit him more than korean
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I don’t know what the writer of this article was talking about but Jin is a wonderful singer and this song and every song he has sang with the group and solos are amazing. I don’t agree at all with what was said in this article at all. Jin never sang before before he joined BTS so to sing and have the high notes he has is very impressive.
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The writer literally said nothing negative about Jin’s voice. If anything, he complimented it. He called the song tame- which it is- not Jin.
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i like this one, hoping for a buried treasure here
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I appreciate a video with a storyline, but I cannot get into his vocals.
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I guess wide appeal was the goal because it doesn’t tell you anything about Jin. Would’ve made for a decent b side, didn’t need a video at all
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I love Jin but I do think this track plays it a little too safe, as you said. And it doesn’t do justice to Echo, which overall has a ton of personality and some standout tracks (I’m particularly enjoying Loser, Rope It and Background).
I wonder why he showcases the most predictable songs in albums that actually have a lot more going for them. I see this a LOT in K-pop, although Jennie defied the trend nicely.
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Pleasant.
It shares a lot of vibe with Fifty-Fifty Cupid.
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I love it. It’s about time there is a video featuring Jin with a love interest. He is beautiful and should be connected to a beautiful women. This has been missing with the gorgeous and sexy BTS boys.
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I also think it was a safe, light approach to break up/ made up love. The video does not say much. I expected a little more depth as both protagonists are great in acting. I am loving a few of the other songs maybe a little more than this one. I love the idea I can lay these tracks at the WiFi at the clinic I work and not worry about cuss words or double meaning expressions. It’s just safe! Good overall!
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I like this one, it’s pleasant and polished, but I have to say to me the hidden treasure is track 2 “Nothing without your love”. That’s also quite “safe”, if you want, but it’s just something in the melodies hits me harder.
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Loser and Rope It are the high-energy tracks on this album, both are a lot of fun.
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to be fair, it wasn’t jin’s choice for a title track as well as he said, he much prefers nwyl. he ended up choosing this because it’s english, plus its easy to listen to and more gp friendly, especially for people who don’t like rock. cute song regardless, i do think the mv should’ve been longer and we got to see more of the two together.
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sounds very similar to jonas brother’s leave before you love me
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