BTS was given a chance to expand in Japan because of rookie Jin, renowned music producer reveals

By: POP! Jr Contributor – Xianna Bengo - 2 years ago

What a revelation: The then ‘rookie’ group BTS was able to promote in Japan in 2014, thanks to the visuals of the group’s ‘Worldwide Handsome,’ Jin.

Legendary Japanese producer Saito Eisuke is the director behind the music company Amuse. Among Japanese artists, he was working closely with stars such as the Southern All Stars, Mari Hamada, Mariko Takahashi, Yasuko Agawaand, and so much more. He was also heavily involved in the expansion of Korean music in Japan. Eisuke became the Deputy General Manager of Fu Shide Investment Co., Ltd. in 2020.

In 2014, the producer was the one who agreed to help BTS with their expansion in Japan. In the credits to BTS’ first Japanese album, ‘Wake Up,’ Saito Eisuke was assigned as the general producer.

One Korean news outlet revealed that in Saito’s recent interview for the Japanese best-selling book “Legendary Producers Leading the World,” he talked about his experience working with BTS and meeting them for the first time. Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman of Hybe (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) reached out to him and asked to see BTS when he happened to be in Seoul. They also performed a couple of songs in front of him.

The producer decided to give them a chance in Japan and signed a contract with BigHit. He also shared that 10 different companies have rejected BTS due to them not being a group from the Big 3 and not liking their name, ‘Bulletproof Boys.’ In the end, BTS had their first concert in Japan, which turned out to be a success. Now they are the most successful K-pop group in the Japanese market.

The legendary producer has mentioned Jin when talking about his first impression of BTS, which garnered lots of attention online with many people liking and retweeting his words about the BTS member.

“Bang PD asked me to come see BTS. There were exactly 7 people. What was my first impression?” I saw Jin and thought he had a popular face suitable for dramas, we call it ‘an effective visual.’ If you have that in your group, you can ‘sell’ it to Japan, and it turned out to be true.”

This statement left fans in awe, making them appreciate Jin’s visual even more.

Jin was evidently the ‘visual’ of the band ever since the boy band debuted. He had a lot of fansites at the very first BTS performance and received a lot of compliments from the general public. In 2015, Jin went viral in Korea as the ‘Car Door Guy.’ That was not the only time when he captured people who were strangers to the band as he trended with names such as ‘the third guy from the left’ and ‘the orange suit guy.’ Ever since then, he has gone viral in other countries, including the US.

Saiko Eisuke ended his thoughts by meeting Jin and BTS, which happened to be prophetic. He gave the band a chance because he saw great ambition and talent in them.

 

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