Jin’s Struggles After Debut Reveal His Hidden Pain

To the world, BTS’s Jin might look like someone destined for stardom—handsome, charismatic, and born into a successful family. But as Everything About Korean reveals in the emotional video titled The Sad Story of Jin Who Blamed Himself After His Debut, the reality was far more complex. The video focuses on Jin’s struggles after debut, exposing a chapter filled with internal battles, relentless pressure, and heartbreaking self-blame during the earliest and toughest part of his career.

A Privileged Childhood Didn’t Shield Him From Self-Doubt

Born in 1992, Kim Seok-jin came from a supportive and well-off background. His father, a CEO, was often away on business but prioritized family time. Jin’s childhood dream wasn’t to be an idol—it was to create a warm, loving home like the one he was raised in. Although his good looks caught the attention of SM Entertainment in middle school, he turned the opportunity down, fearing it might be a scam.

From Actor Aspirations to Idol Life

Originally set on becoming an actor, Jin found inspiration from the drama The Great Queen Seondeok. He dedicated himself to the craft and secured a spot in Konkuk University’s Theater and Film department, beating out over 200 applicants for each slot. However, fate stepped in when a BIGHIT staffer spotted him on the street. At the time, the agency was relatively unknown, but Jin saw potential in joining as an actor trainee. Yet soon after joining, he was redirected onto the idol path. With no prior experience in singing or dancing, Jin chose to train anyway—believing idol life would be a rare, youthful experience before returning to acting.

Struggling With Training and Blaming Himself

Training wasn’t easy. Judges were shocked by Jin’s vocal limitations, and his dancing—rooted in grace rather than rhythm—clashed with the hip-hop focus of early BTS. Despite dedicating 10+ hours daily to practice, his progress was slow. During BTS’s debut era, especially with the song No More Dream, critics labeled him one of the group’s weakest dancers, often comparing him to RM.

This criticism devastated Jin. He would show up early and stay late at rehearsals, pushing himself to exhaustion. Yet even with his relentless effort, he felt overshadowed by members who seemed to improve faster. At one point, he began apologizing in his sleep, whispering “I’m sorry” as he dreamed of failing on stage. Jin’s struggles after debut were marked by quiet torment—he blamed himself for every mistake, believing he was dragging the team down.

His Self-Esteem Hit Rock Bottom

When fellow member Suga was injured, Jin’s reaction was telling: “It would have been better if I had been hurt instead.” The comment reflected how little he valued himself during that time. On stage, he was often positioned at the edges of choreography, a silent marker of his difficulty keeping up. Every shortcoming felt personal, every setback like a confirmation of his fears.

The Turning Point: Words of Encouragement and Fireworks

Despite the emotional weight, Jin refused to give up. His turning point came in 2015 during The Most Beautiful Moment in Life concert. For the first time, he cried on stage—tears that revealed just how much he had been holding in. That same year, he found a phrase that became his personal mantra:
“Only you have to know how hard you work.”
It became a quiet vow to himself and a message of resilience to fans.

Later, during the “Fire” era, a choreography detail—a flying kiss—began unlocking his comfort with stage presence. He no longer hid behind staff and started embracing his role as a performer.

In one particularly striking moment, a firework exploded on stage and burned his in-ear monitor. Jin didn’t flinch—he powered through the performance, showcasing his dedication and growth.

Finding His Voice: “AWAKE” and “Epiphany”

Determined to become more than just a background figure, Jin poured himself into music. After over 20 rejections, he finally debuted his solo track AWAKE in 2016—a song filled with vulnerability and hope. The lyrics spoke to the fear of failure but also the resolve to rise above it.

Two years later, he released Epiphany, a track that resonated deeply with fans worldwide. One unforgettable story involved a non-verbal autistic boy from Mexico who, upon hearing Jin’s voice, began to sing along—something he had never done before. Jin’s journey from struggling trainee to someone whose voice could spark miracles was complete.

The Emotional High Point: BTS Almost Disbanded

Perhaps the most poignant moment came at the 2018 MAMA Awards. As BTS accepted the Artist of the Year award, Jin shocked fans by revealing that the group had considered disbanding earlier that year due to intense burnout and pressure. His tearful confession wasn’t about claiming attention—it was about protecting his members and reassuring ARMYs. Even at their lowest point, Jin once again took the emotional weight onto his own shoulders.

Jin’s struggles after debut weren’t just about learning to sing or dance—they were about fighting to believe he deserved to be there at all. From backstage apologies to fireworks and epiphanies, Jin’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it whispers:
“Only you have to know how hard you work.” For more about BTS, check out the link below.