Billboard has revealed its list of the best songs of 2023, and the top spot for the male K-pop category went to Jimin of BTS.
His solo single ‘Like Crazy’ was praised by Billboard staff as a “synth-pop masterpiece” that showcases his “sweet voice” and “emotional depth”.
‘Like Crazy’ was released on March 24, 2023, as the second single from Jimin’s debut solo album ‘Face’. The song was produced by Pdogg and Ghstloop, and co-written by Jimin, RM, Blvsh, Chris James, and Evan. It features two versions: one in Korean and one in English. The Korean version talks about the realization of losing a loved one and holding on to a reality where they still exist, while the English version addresses the burden of stardom and the fear of losing oneself.
The song was a huge commercial success, becoming the first song by a South Korean solo artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the highest debut for a South Korean solo artist on the UK Singles Chart at number eight. It also peaked in the top 10 of charts in Hungary, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, and South Korea, and on Billboard’s Hits of the World charts in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
The music video for ‘Like Crazy’ was directed by Oui Kim and inspired by the 2011 film of the same name. It features Jimin in various settings, such as a club, a hotel room, a rooftop, and a car, as he expresses his inner turmoil and longing. The video also includes whispered dialogue, heard at the beginning and the end, that adds to the cinematic mood. The video has amassed over 115 million views on YouTube as of December 20234
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Jimin’s fans, known as Jiminies, celebrated the recognition from Billboard and congratulated him on his achievement. They praised his talent, versatility, and charisma, and expressed their love and support for him. Many also hoped that he would perform ‘Like Crazy’ live at the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards, where he is nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best New Artist