Set Me Free Pt. 2 Explained

Set Me Free Pt. 2
Type:single
Artist:Jimin
Album:Face
Released:March 17, 2023
Genre:
Length:3:20
Label:Big Hit
Prev Title:Vibe
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Like Crazy
Next Year:2023

"Set Me Free Pt. 2" is a song by South Korean singer Jimin of BTS, released as the lead single from his debut solo studio album Face on March 17, 2023, through Big Hit Music. An intense hip hop and pop track about Jimin's refusal to be brought down by those who criticize him and overcoming his internal battles, the song was written by Ghstloop, Pdogg, Jimin, and Supreme Boi, with the first two also responsible for production. The song features the singer rapping for the first time and also utilizes distorted vocal effects and Auto-Tune.

An accompanying music video shows Jimin performing the song, complete with elaborate choreography, in a circular room filled with flashing lights, surrounded by a large group of dancers.

The single debuted at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the highest-charting debut single by a Korean solo artist in OCC chart history at the time, and the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Music and lyrics

"Set Me Free Pt. 2" was written by Jimin, Supreme Boi, Ghstloop and Pdogg, while the latter two handled the production. Musically, it is a hip-hop[1] and pop track that incorporates "band-style" trumpets, heavy bass drum,[2] synth brass, vocal effects,[3] and auto-tuned vocals.[4] Lyrically, the song was described as a "self-liberation," where the singer "depict his agitation in a way that implies he wants to break out of any boxes in which he might be placed [in]." The lyrics, “Going insane to stay sane / Raise your hands for the past me" sees the singer refusing to be defeated by his "haters" and the hard times that life throws at him.[5] Eventually with phrases like "Set me free" and "Finally free" repeated throughout, the song sees the singer "overcome his internal battles" and "break free from his mental confines". Confident in his newfound freedom, Jimin tells his critics to "get lost while he enjoys this 'prime time' revelation" through lines such as "F*ck all the opps" and "Look at me now/ I won't stop, even if they mock me."[1]

Commercial performance

"Set Me Free Pt. 2" was the second most-downloaded song of its release week in South Korea, with only two days of availability during the period dated March 12–18, 2023,[6] and debuted at number 27 on the week 11 issue of the Gaon Digital Chart;[7] it also debuted on Billboards South Korea Songs chart at number six.[8] The song entered the top 100 of the component Streaming Chart in its second week, ranking at number 70 on the week 12 issue as the second-highest charting "Hot" entry for the week dated March 19–25.[9]

In Japan, "Set Me Free Pt. 2" sold 4,647 copies on its first day of release, topping Oricon's daily Digital Singles chart issue for March 17, 2023.[10] With three days of availability during an ongoing tracking period (dated March 13–19), the single went on to sell 6,423 cumulative copies and debuted atop the subsequent weekly digital chart issue dated March 27.[11]

"Set Me Free Pt. 2" became the highest-charting debut single by a Korean solo artist in the history of the UK Singles Chart, following its debut at number 30. Jimin surpassed the record previously set by BTS bandmate J-Hope who debuted at number 37 with "On the Street" a month prior.[12] [13] It was both the most-downloaded and best-selling song overall for the week dated March 24–30, 2023.[14] [15]

Jimin earned his second official entry and highest peak on the US Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist—he previously peaked at number 76 with the collaboration single "Vibe" by Taeyang—with "Set Me Free Pt. 2". The single debuted at number 30 on the chart issue dated April 1, 2023, with 6.4 million streams and 63,000 downloads sold, making him the only member of BTS to achieve a solo top-40 entry. The single was the best-selling digital track of its release week in the country, earning Jimin his second number one on the component Digital Songs and World Digital Song Sales charts.[16] Two of his older songs, "Filter" and "Christmas Love", reentered the World chart following "Set Me Free"s release, at numbers five and eleven respectively.[17] He also topped the Emerging Artists chart for the first time.[16]

Worldwide, the single accumulated 56 million streams and 42,000 digital sales, earning Jimin his first top-10 entry and highest peak on the Billboard Global 200—he previously peaked at number 12 with "Vibe"—with its debut at number eight. He is the highest-charting member of BTS on the global ranking; bandmate Jungkook previously peaked at number nine with "Dreamers" in 2022. In territories outside of the US, the single accumulated 49.7 million streams and 27,000 cumulative sales, debuting at number five on the Global Excl. U.S. chart; Jimin is the second member of BTS to have multiple (three) top-10 solo singles on the ranking.[18]

Music video

Directed by Oui Kim,[19] the music video focuses heavily on the performance aspect of the song and its "really intense vibe".[20] It was preceded by a 30-second long teaser,[21] uploaded to YouTube on March 14, of Jimin looking "menacingly"[22] into the camera before walking slowly through a group of dancers "dressed in gray uniformed tracksuits"[23] as the song's melody comes "booming" in.[24] The camera then panned around the dancers[22] as they "burst into explosive choreography in a circular room ringed in giant squares of flashing light". Jimin's voice was heard next, singing "Set me free", then the clip ended; the song's title and release date and time appeared onscreen immediately afterwards.[24] In an introductory video released shortly before the premiere of his album, the singer stated that he "tried to convey a sense of grandeur, powerfulness and toughness" through the song's performance.[25]

Synopsis

The visual opens with the same scene from the teaser of Jimin looking directly at the camera before moving through a synchronized throng of dancers as the song begins. Dressed in a "dark combat-style outfit"[26] —black bomber jacket, pants, and boots[21] —he performs the song as the "commanding centerpiece" in an elaborate choreography routine", moving in unison across the screen with the dancers as "waves of light" flash around them.[27] At one point, the dancers form an actual maze, at other times they surround and stare at Jimin "pointing and jeering".[26] The lights darken momentarily and when they brighten again, Jimin appears wearing a jacket only, with a poem by German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, "Ich lebe mein leben in wachsenden ringen", tattooed in black ink[26] across his neck and bare chest.[28] The dancers converge upon him as the song winds down, "maniacally mobbing and grasping at him, almost consuming him", before lifting him bodily into the air, then simultaneously collapsing to the ground, taking him with them. Jimin emerges from beneath the horde, now dressed in "a soft, white outfit", standing alone and free at the end.[26]

Reception

The music video received 2.7 million views within its first two hours.[29] GMA Network's Nika Roque described Jimin as "badass and edgy" in the video,[21] while Vulture.coms Jennifer Zhan called him "living art".[28] Ian Jay Capati of ABS-CBN summarized the video as "captivating" overall, with "jaw-dropping visuals and choreography" to match.[29] In an opinion piece for Junkee, pop culture writer Jenna Guillaume commented that the music video highlights Jimin's personal growth through its "striking choreography...thoughtful costuming and set design." She felt that the use of a panopticon-like structure for the set alluded to "themes of imprisonment and always being watched". Regarding the visual's costuming, Guillaume likened Jimin's progression from the dark combat outfit, which she described as "indicative of a tough exterior", to being seen with fewer accessories and items of clothing, to his emerging in all white at the end, to a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, and thought it significant that this version of the singer was the one to "defeat the forces trying to overtake him" and "[stand] alone, triumphant and free by the strength of his own will."[26]

Accolades

The song won first place on the March 23 episode of M Countdown, though Jimin had not yet begun domestic music show promotions.[30] He also won the Melon Popularity Award for the fourth week of March ending March 27.[31]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[32] 71
Greece International (IFPI)[33] 20
India International Singles (IMI)[34] 4
Indonesia (Billboard)[35] 20
Japan Digital Singles (Oricon)[36] 1
Latvia (LAIPA)[37] 13
MENA (IFPI)[38] 11
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[39] 4
Peru (Billboard)[40] 20
Philippines (Billboard)[41] 18
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[42] 62
Singapore (RIAS)[43] 7
South Korea (Circle)[44] 24
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 93
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)1
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[46] 5

Monthly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
South Korea (Circle)[47] 39

Notes and References

  1. On 'FACE,' Jimin Battles His Bleakest Thoughts — And Emerges Triumphant. Roby. India. March 24, 2023. Nylon. https://web.archive.org/web/20230324190407/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/jimins-face-album-review. March 24, 2023. live. March 24, 2023.
  2. Web site: The Quietus Reviews Jimin . 2023-04-25 . . en-us.
  3. Johnston . Maura . Maura Johnston . 2023-03-24 . Jimin Shows Off His Pop Strengths, And Explores Some Moods, On 'FACE' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326001241/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-jimin-face-1234702867 . March 26, 2023 . April 25, 2023 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  4. Kaufman . Gil . March 17, 2023 . BTS' Jimin Says 'Intense' Solo Single 'Set Me Free Pt. 2' Is, Of Course, About 'Setting Myself Free' . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230318032001/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/bts-jimin-talks-solo-single-set-me-free-pt-2-1235288590/ . March 18, 2023 . March 28, 2023.
  5. Web site: Daly . Rhian . 2023-03-24 . Jimin – 'FACE' review: BTS singer captures the turbulence of modern life in shadowy debut solo album . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230324111430/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/jimin-face-review-bts-3419640 . March 24, 2023 . 2023-04-26 . NME . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Download Chart 2023 Weeks 11. Circle Chart. ko. https://archive.today/20230323233341/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=11&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=. March 23, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  7. Web site: Digital Chart 2023 Weeks 11. Circle Chart. ko. https://archive.today/20230327223025/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=11&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. March 27, 2023. live. March 27, 2023.
  8. South Korea Songs (Week of April 1, 2023). Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328145849/https://www.billboard.com/charts/south-korea-songs-hotw/2023-04-01/. March 28, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  9. Web site: Streaming Chart 2023 Weeks 12. Circle Chart. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20230408050314/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040&targetTime=12&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. April 8, 2023. live. April 8, 2023.
  10. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dis/d/2023-03-17/. ja:デイリー デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2023年03月17日付. Oricon. ja. Daily Digital Single Ranking March 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319010630/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dis/d/2023-03-17/. March 19, 2023. live. March 17, 2023.
  11. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2272397/full/. ja:BTSジミン、ソロ楽曲「Set Me Free Pt.2」が「デジタルシングル」初登場1位【オリコンランキング】. March 22, 2023. Oricon. ja. https://archive.today/20230322013359/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2272397/full/. March 22, 2023. live. March 21, 2023.
  12. Web site: Jimin breaks solo BTS UK chart record with Set Me Free Pt 2 as he releases solo album FACE. Smith. Carl. March 24, 2023. Official Charts Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20230324171658/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/jimin-breaks-solo-bts-uk-chart-record-with-set-me-free-pt-2-as-he-releases-solo-album-face__38870/. March 24, 2023. live. March 24, 2023.
  13. News: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011762913. ko:지민 '셋 미 프리 Pt.2', 英 싱글차트 30위…K팝 솔로 최고 데뷔 순위. Lee. Jae-hoon. March 25, 2023. Newsis. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20230325012838/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011762913. March 25, 2023. live. March 25, 2023. Naver.
  14. Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 (24 March 2023 - 30 March 2023). Official Charts Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20230408041627/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20230324/7000/. April 8, 2023. live. April 8, 2023.
  15. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 (24 March 2023 - 30 March 2023). Official Charts Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20230408040209/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20230324/7509/. April 8, 2023. live. April 8, 2023.
  16. Jimin Rules Emerging Artists Chart, Becomes First BTS Member to Score Unaccompanied Solo Top 40 Hot 100 Hit. Zellner. Xander. March 27, 2023. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20230327230320/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/jimin-first-bts-member-solo-top-40-hot-100-hit-1235293586/. March 27, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  17. World Digital Song Sales (Week of April 1, 2023). subscription. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328110826/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2023-04-01/. March 28, 2023. dead. March 28, 2023.
  18. Miley Cyrus Keeps Atop Billboard Global Charts, Jimin & Taylor Swift Notch Top 10 Debuts. Trust. Gary. March 27, 2023. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20230327200647/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/miley-cyrus-flowers-global-charts-jimin-taylor-swift-top-10-1235293291/. March 27, 2023. live. March 27, 2023.
  19. BTS' Jimin Unleashes 'Intense' Solo Single 'Set Me Free Pt.2'. Brandle. Lars. March 17, 2023. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20230317165448/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/bts-jimin-solo-single-set-me-free-pt-2-1235251617/. March 17, 2023. live. March 17, 2023.
  20. Web site: Jimin of BTS Breaks Down His "Very Intense" New Single "Set Me Free Pt.2": Exclusive. Siroky. Mary. March 17, 2023. Consequence. https://web.archive.org/web/20230317042853/https://consequence.net/2023/03/jimin-set-me-free-pt-2-bts-origins/. March 17, 2023. live. March 17, 2023.
  21. News: Jimin of BTS is totally edgy in teaser for solo single 'Set Me Free Pt. 2'. Roque. Nika. March 15, 2023. GMA Network. https://web.archive.org/web/20230315081618/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/863957/jimin-of-bts-is-totally-edgy-in-teaser-for-solo-single-set-me-free-pt-2/story/. March 15, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  22. Web site: Watch the captivating teaser for Jimin's new single, 'Set Me Free Pt.2'. Ziwei. Puah. March 15, 2023. NME. https://web.archive.org/web/20230315060104/https://www.nme.com/news/music/jimin-bts-single-set-me-free-pt-2-music-video-3413737. March 15, 2023. dead. March 27, 2023.
  23. Jimin Previews Debut Album 'Face' With 'Set Me Free Pt. 2' Teaser. subscription. Paul. Larisha. March 14, 2023. Rolling Stone. https://web.archive.org/web/20230314170311/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-jimin-previews-debut-album-face-with-set-me-free-pt-2-teaser-1234696368/. March 14, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  24. Jimin Drops Bombastic Teaser for Solo Single 'Set Me Free Pt.2'. Rowley. Glenn. March 14, 2023. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20230314221722/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/jimin-set-me-free-pt-2-teaser-1235286050/. March 14, 2023. live. March 27, 2023.
  25. News: Jimin of BTS shows his true colors in first solo album 'Face'. Cho. Yong-jun. March 24, 2023. Korea JoongAng Daily. https://archive.today/20230324181919/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/03/24/entertainment/kpop/Korea-Kpop-BTS/20230324171445407.html. March 24, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  26. Web site: Jimin Sets Himself Free With First Solo Single. Guillaume. Jenna. March 17, 2023. Junkee. https://web.archive.org/web/20230317123921/https://junkee.com/jimin-set-me-free-single-review/349290. March 17, 2023. live. March 29, 2023.
  27. Jimin Puts Himself in Charge With Solo Single 'Set Me Free Pt. 2'. registration. Paul. Larisha. March 17, 2023. Rolling Stone. https://archive.today/20230317052928/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-jimin-set-me-free-pt-2-album-face-1234698387/. March 17, 2023. live. March 17, 2023.
  28. Web site: Jimin Is Literal Poetry in Motion in the 'Set Me Free Pt. 2' Video. subscription. Zhan. Jennifer. March 17, 2023. Vulture.com. https://archive.today/20230328071031/https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/jimin-bts-set-me-free-pt-2-music-video.html. March 28, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  29. News: K-pop: BTS' Jimin releases solo single 'Set Me Free Pt. 2'. Capati. Ian Jay. March 17, 2023. ABS-CBN. https://archive.today/20230324-181725/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/17/23/bts-jimin-releases-solo-single-set-me-free-pt-2. March 24, 2023. live. March 28, 2023.
  30. Web site: http://www.tvdaily.co.kr/article.php?aid=16795664051670748010. ko:'엠카' BTS 지민, 트와이스 꺾고 출연 없이 1위 [종합]. "M Countdown" BTS Jimin beat TWICE and won first place without appearing [Summary]. Kim. Han-gil. March 24, 2023. TV Daily. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20230325164954/http://www.tvdaily.co.kr/article.php?aid=16795664051670748010. March 25, 2023. live. March 25, 2023.
  31. Web site: https://www.melon.com/melonaward/weekAward.htm. ko:주간 인기상. Weekly Popularity. Melon. ko. https://archive.today/20230403164856/https://www.melon.com/melonaward/weekAward.htm. April 3, 2023. dead. April 3, 2023. (Note: Click on tab marked '3월' at top of page and scroll down to week labelled '03.27')
  32. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 27 March 2023. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1725. 4. March 27, 2023.
  33. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) Week: 12/2023. IFPI Greece. https://web.archive.org/web/20230330040351/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. March 30, 2023. dead. March 30, 2023.
  34. Web site: IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 27th March 2023 Week 12 of 52. IMIcharts.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328084725/https://imicharts.com/. March 28, 2023. dead. March 27, 2023.
  35. Jimin Chart History (Indonesia Songs). Billboard. January 4, 2024.
  36. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dis/w/2023-03-27/. ja:週間 デジ タルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2023年03月27日付 (2023年03月13日～2023年03月19日). Oricon. ja. Weekly Digital Single ranking March 27, 2023 (From March 13, 2022 to March 19, 2023). https://web.archive.org/web/20230322030653/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dis/w/2023-03-27/. March 22, 2023. live. March 27, 2023.
  37. Web site: Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 12. nedēļa. LAIPA. en, lv. 18 June 2023. 26 March 2023.
  38. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 17/03/2023 to 23/03/2023. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. theofficialmenachart.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328180724/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. March 28, 2023. dead. April 9, 2023.
  39. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. March 27, 2023. Recorded Music NZ. https://web.archive.org/web/20230324212639/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5527. March 24, 2023. live. March 25, 2023.
  40. Jimin Chart History (Peru Songs). Billboard. January 4, 2024.
  41. Jimin Chart History (Philippines Songs). Billboard. January 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240104162842/https://www.billboard.com/artist/jimin/chart-history/i42/. January 4, 2024. dead.
  42. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. Select week 17.03.2023–23.03.2023.. March 30, 2023.
  43. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 13 (24 - 30 Mar 2023). RIAS. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404080601/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. April 4, 2023. live. April 4, 2023.
  44. Web site: Digital Chart 2023 Weeks 13. Circle Chart. ko. April 6, 2023.
  45. Web site: Hitparade Singles Top 100: Week 12/2023. March 26, 2023. swisscharts.com. de. https://web.archive.org/web/20230402062851/http://swisscharts.com/charts/singles. April 2, 2023. live. April 2, 2023.
  46. Jimin Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100). Billboard. January 4, 2024.
  47. Web site: Digital Chart – April 2023 . May 11, 2023 . . ko.

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