Face

Face is the debut studio album by South Korean singer Jimin of BTS. Released on March 24, 2023, through Big Hit Music, it is primarily a pop, hip hop, and R&B record, with Pdogg, Ghstloop, and Evan responsible for production. Comprising five songs, all co-written by Jimin, and one instrumental, the album was heavily inspired by the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jimin as a person and performer and addresses "themes of loneliness, wrestling with oneself, and finding freedom". Two singles were released in support of Face: the lead single "Set Me Free Pt. 2" and the US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Like Crazy". Domestically, Face broke sales records on its opening day, selling over 1 million copies, and in its first week, surpassing 1.45 million sales, making Jimin the first solo artist in Hanteo Chart history to do so; the album subsequently debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart. It topped the Oricon Albums and Digital Albums charts, and Billboard Japans Hot Albums chart in Japan. Jimin is the first solo artist to debut at number one on both Oricon album charts in 2023. Face debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, becoming the highest-charting album by a South Korean solo artist in Billboard chart history. It also reached the top ten in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Lithuania, Switzerland and New Zealand. Background and release During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jimin experienced self-doubt about himself and his purpose as an artist, which caused him to struggle emotionally. After opening up to his BTS bandmates during their Permission to Dance on Stage tour in Las Vegas about what he was going through, thinking he was the only one, they encouraged him to try translating his thoughts and feelings into music, which served as the catalyst for him to begin actively working on his solo album. Upon returning to Korea, Jimin met up with producers from his label and work on the project commenced in early 2022. Advice from his bandmates helped the singer during production, influencing decisions about the direction the album would eventually take, which he stated was "reassuring" for him.