BTS solo projects timeline: every major release and announcement
BTS entered a new creative phase in 2022 when the members began sharing individual music alongside their group work. The solo period gave each artist room to explore different sounds, from rap and alternative pop to R&B, jazz, rock and introspective singer-songwriter material.
For Australian fans, the timeline has unfolded across late-night livestreams, global streaming launches and military-service updates. Release times often land in the early morning across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, while local listeners track chart movement through Spotify, Apple Music and the ARIA market.
| Member | Major solo project | Release timing | Creative direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| J-Hope | Jack in the Box | July 2022 | Hip-hop, performance and self-reflection |
| Jin | The Astronaut and Happy | October 2022; November 2024 | Pop-rock, warmth and upbeat band sound |
| RM | Indigo and Right Place, Wrong Person | December 2022; May 2024 | Art-pop, alternative music and personal storytelling |
| Suga | D-DAY as Agust D | April 2023 | Rap, rock influence and autobiographical writing |
| Jimin | FACE and MUSE | March 2023; July 2024 | Emotional pop, dance and romantic themes |
| V | Layover | September 2023 | R&B, jazz-pop and understated vocals |
| Jungkook | GOLDEN | November 2023 | Global pop, dance tracks and English-language singles |
The solo chapter takes shape
At BTS Festa in June 2022, the members explained that they were beginning a new chapter focused on individual creativity. The announcement was widely interpreted as a permanent split by some headlines, but the group clarified that BTS remained active. The solo releases were presented as a way for each member to grow while group activities paused.
J-Hope became the first member to make a major solo album statement. His album Jack in the Box arrived on 15 July 2022, led by the sharp single “MORE” and followed by “Arson”. The project moved away from the bright, festival-ready energy often associated with BTS and leaned into darker hip-hop, raw production and questions about ambition.
The album was supported by a memorable live performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago in July 2022. That appearance made J-Hope the first South Korean artist to headline the festival, giving his solo launch a major international platform. For fans in Australia, it also set the tone for a rollout followed closely through YouTube performances and global digital platforms rather than a conventional local tour.
Jin and RM open different doors
Jin’s first major solo single, “The Astronaut”, was released on 28 October 2022 in collaboration with Coldplay. The cinematic pop-rock track arrived shortly before Jin began his mandatory military service, making its announcement and release particularly emotional for fans. Coldplay also invited Jin to perform the song with them in Buenos Aires, creating a high-profile live moment.
Jin returned with the six-track mini-album Happy on 15 November 2024. The release explored classic pop-rock textures, bright melodies and the idea of finding happiness in ordinary life. Its timing gave fans a fresh solo era during the period when several BTS members were completing service commitments.
RM followed with Indigo on 2 December 2022. The album was built around collaborations and a reflective, gallery-like atmosphere, with songs such as “Wild Flower” presenting a more contemplative side of the rapper. Its artwork, lyrics and guest appearances positioned RM as an artist interested in visual culture as much as chart-focused pop.
In May 2024, RM released Right Place, Wrong Person. The album shifted into a more alternative and restless sound, with “Come back to me” introducing the project before “LOST!” broadened its emotional and sonic range. The record appealed to listeners who enjoy indie-pop, experimental production and music that feels less tied to a traditional idol format.
Suga and Jimin bring personal stories forward
Suga’s solo identity as Agust D reached a major point with D-DAY, released on 21 April 2023. The album completed a trilogy that began with the Agust D mixtape in 2016 and continued with D-2 in 2020. Its tracks deal with pressure, memory, success and the complicated relationship between an artist and public expectations.
The accompanying SUGA | Agust D tour brought his solo catalogue into arenas around the world. Australian fans watched the dates closely because the tour reached several major markets in Asia, Europe and North America, even though Australia was not included in that run. The project still generated strong local interest through streaming, fan events and pop-culture coverage.
Jimin launched his solo era with FACE on 24 March 2023. The record moved through vulnerability, loneliness and recovery, while lead single “Like Crazy” delivered a sleek synth-pop sound. Jimin became the first BTS member to top the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist with the song, an achievement that added international weight to an already personal release.
His second album, MUSE, arrived on 19 July 2024. “Who” became the standout single, combining polished pop with an emotional search for connection. The album showed Jimin refining the balance between dance-focused performance and intimate vocal delivery.
V and Jungkook shape the global pop sound
V’s Layover was released on 8 September 2023, preceded by the single “Love Me Again”. The project favoured smooth R&B, jazz touches, brushed percussion and relaxed arrangements. Songs such as “Rainy Days” and “Slow Dancing” allowed V to work within a quieter, more atmospheric style than the large-scale production often heard in BTS singles.
The album’s visual identity was just as important as its music. Its videos used everyday settings, muted colours and a slower pace, giving the project a distinctive mood. V later continued that direction through collaborations and seasonal releases, including “Winter Ahead” with Park Hyo Shin in November 2024.
Jungkook took a more overtly global-pop route with GOLDEN, released on 3 November 2023. The album included “Seven” featuring Latto, “3D” featuring Jack Harlow and “Standing Next to You”, combining dance-pop, R&B and retro influences. Several tracks were recorded in English, helping the project connect with mainstream radio and playlists in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The album followed a series of large-scale performances, including Jungkook’s appearance at the Global Citizen Festival in New York. He also released “Never Let Go” in June 2024, a fan-focused single that reinforced the close relationship between the members and their international audience.
The second wave arrives during military service
BTS’ solo schedule developed alongside South Korea’s mandatory military-service requirements. Jin enlisted in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023 and Suga in September 2023. RM and V enlisted in December 2023, with Jimin and Jungkook entering service soon afterwards. The staggered timing meant new music could continue appearing even while group promotions were paused.
This period produced a more varied catalogue than a standard group comeback cycle would have allowed. Fans received full albums, mini-albums, singles, documentaries, live recordings and collaborations. The release calendar also gave each member a separate visual language, production team and promotional strategy.
J-Hope’s Hope on the Street Vol. 1 arrived in March 2024 alongside a documentary series exploring his dance background. RM’s Right Place, Wrong Person, Jimin’s MUSE and Jin’s Happy then extended the solo sequence through the middle and end of the year. These releases made 2024 particularly active for BTS listeners, even without a new full-group album.
In 2025, Jin continued the run with Echo, released on 16 May. The album maintained his interest in approachable pop-rock, while J-Hope’s single “Killin’ It Girl” with GloRilla arrived in June. Those projects showed that the solo chapter remained active as members prepared for the next phase of BTS activities.
How Australian fans can follow each rollout
The biggest practical issue for Australian listeners is timing. Korean releases commonly become available at 2am AEST during standard periods, though daylight-saving differences mean Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane can shift relative to Perth. Checking the official notice rather than relying on an overseas countdown helps avoid confusion around digital drops, music videos and pre-orders.
Physical editions also work differently in Australia. Albums may arrive through local music retailers, K-pop stores and international sellers, with shipping times affected by demand and limited inclusions. Fans who want photocards, special covers or signed items should pay attention to the difference between a global pre-order window and an Australian stock arrival.
Chart performance remains part of the conversation. Streaming activity can influence international rankings, while Australian fans often follow ARIA updates, radio play and local playlist placement. Sydney and Melbourne also tend to host the largest fan-organised cup-sleeve events, pop-up gatherings and viewing parties, especially around birthdays, anniversaries and major release weeks.
For casual listeners, the best entry point depends on taste. Layover suits a relaxed R&B mood, GOLDEN offers polished international pop, D-DAY is more intense and rap-driven, while Indigo rewards listeners drawn to alternative production and art-focused songwriting.
What the timeline means for BTS’ next era
The solo catalogue has made the members’ individual identities clearer without erasing the group’s shared sound. J-Hope’s performance focus, RM’s literary edge, Suga’s direct rap writing, Jimin’s emotional pop, V’s vintage R&B, Jungkook’s mainstream polish and Jin’s pop-rock warmth each occupy a different space.
That range matters when BTS returns as a full group. The members will bring new vocal habits, production ideas and performance experience into future group music. Their individual releases have also expanded the audience, introducing different listeners to BTS through rap, alternative music, dance-pop or classic rock influences.
For Australian fans, the timeline is a useful guide to exploring the catalogue rather than treating the releases as isolated events. A playlist moving from Jack in the Box to Indigo, FACE, D-DAY, Layover, GOLDEN, Happy and Echo reveals how quickly the group’s creative world widened.
Follow Mikey Lately Show for release dates, artist announcements, music-video updates and the next major BTS milestone as the members move from their solo projects towards the group’s next chapter.