On April 9, 2025, SOUNDCAT, a prominent South Korean manufacturer of custom in-ear monitors, unveiled a stunning new design for BTS member Jin’s CIEMs (Custom In-Ear Monitors) via Instagram. Featured in a captivating Topaz design adorned with Jin’s initials, this announcement ignited a wave of excitement among the fandom.
This is not the first time SOUNDCAT has crafted a unique piece for Jin; previously, they designed eye-catching green in-ear monitors for him in 2021, which also boasted a shimmering glitter finish. However, the simultaneous release of the new design with Jin being spotted at the airport alongside his management team heightened speculation about his upcoming projects.
Jin’s decision to travel without hand luggage has led fans to conjecture that he might be embarking on a work-related trip. Many believe he could be either filming a new music video or preparing for a live performance. A lively post from a fan encapsulates this excitement:
“We are getting new performance for sure”
Fan theories continued to flourish:
“YALL SEOKJIN AT THE AIRPORT NEW IN EARS JIN HAS BEEN WORKING NEW PROJECT ARE WE F**KING READY?!?!?!”mentioned this fan.
“Blueuuu my favorite color.. This is so beautiful, please don’t tell me that Seokjin is going to have a concert soon, I haven’t got the money yet,”wrote an X user.
“New in-ear monitors mean an album? A live show? A tour? Tears In an interview with GQ, Jin said, “I especially love blue, and when I see it, bright ideas come to mind one after another.””I guess it’s your favorite color,”he answered. That’s good.”said one netizen.
“New in ears -> new live performance -> more songs -> KSJ2 is coming the dots are contacted,”read a comment from a fan.
Adding to the speculation, fans noted that Coldplay is currently on their Asian tour, leading to theories about a potential collaboration between Jin and the British band for a special performance. As excitement surged online, fans collectively anticipated a fresh musical offering from Jin.
“Everyone is guessing this and that… im here guessing hes doing a surprise performance at coldplay’s concert”wrote an individual on X.
“COLDPLAY CONCERTS?!) SOLO CONCERTS?!)”shared this netizen.
Fans expressed their admiration for Jin’s striking new in-ear monitors, noting how the gleaming Topaz glitter and soft blue hues mirror his long-standing affection for the color blue.
“Seokjini also chose blue as his favorite color, and it reminds him of the ocean, the sky, and the universe, so it’s a color that suits him perfectly, and he loves it so much, it’s so pretty.”posted this individual on X.
“It’s pretty, it seems like the sky, the universe, the Milky Way, and everything is contained in it When was it, somewhere, Seokjin said he liked the color blue…? I think he said he liked it (I don’t think it’s a memory manipulation..) Anyway, it’s pretty,”added one more netizen.
Anticipation for Jin’s Tour as He Returns to Variety Shows
Recent hints about Jin’s potential tour have further fueled fan enthusiasm. On the same day as the CIEM reveal, a behind-the-scenes video from j-hope’s “HOPE ON THE STAGE”in Seoul was released, showcasing Jin’s visit to support his fellow BTS member.
During this heartfelt reunion, Jin and j-hope engaged in lighthearted discussion about Jin’s prospective tour, with j-hope enthusiastically committing to attending in any way he could.
Before this, chef Lee Yeon-bok, who maintains a close friendship with Jin, hinted at a possible tour during a March 27 press conference for KBS’s “Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant.”When asked about Jin’s potential participation in his upcoming show, the chef revealed that Jin was gearing up for a nationwide tour in April.
“BTS’ Jin asked me to teach him how to toss a wok, so I was going to teach him, but I heard there’s a nationwide tour starting in April. If a celeb is that sincere about cooking, that’s enough. I’ll gladly help,”he revealed.
Since concluding his military service in June 2024, Jin has been keenly pursuing his solo career. On November 15, 2024, he launched his first solo album titled “Happy,”which features six tracks, with Jin contributing to the songwriting and production of four songs.
“Happy”includes collaborations with notable artists such as Gary Barlow, Red Velvet’s Wendy, and Taka from One Ok Rock. The album achieved remarkable success, debuting at #1 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, with its lead single “Running Wild”topping the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart. Additionally, “Happy”sold over 953,000 copies in its first week, making it Korea’s best-selling solo album of 2024 and clinching the top spot on the Hanteo daily charts.
Moreover, Jin has returned to the world of variety television. On April 8, 2025, Netflix launched the first three episodes of “Kian’s Bizarre B&B,”featuring Jin alongside webtoon artist Kian84 and comedian Ji Ye-eun, known for her work on Saturday Night Live Korea.
Set near the scenic Ulleungdo Island, the series showcases the trio operating a uniquely themed bed and breakfast designed by Kian84. Produced by the team responsible for the hit “Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast”(2017), “Kian’s Bizarre B&B”promises to offer a refreshing take on the guesthouse genre, filled with innovative challenges and ample humor.
The initial three episodes provide a glimpse into their whimsical adventure, highlighting quirky moments and the entertaining clash of their diverse personalities. The nine-episode series will be released in three parts, with the next segment set to premiere on April 15, followed by the final three episodes on April 22, 2025.