Too Much Autotune? BTS Jimin’s “Set Me Free Pt. 2” Draws Mixed Reactions From Netizens

By Koreaboo on March 17, 2023

BTS‘s Jimin is boldly dancing his way into a new era of his career with “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” a solo pre-release single that’s taking listeners by surprise.

On March 17, Jimin’s music video for “Set Me Free Pt. 2” dropped, getting ARMYs even more hyped for his first solo album. FACE, set to release on March 24, will explore a new side of Jimin in terms of his lyrics, styling, and vocal color.

After a decade of singing live on stage, there’s no doubt that Jimin can sing–really sing. Given that Jimin has the voice of an angel, some listeners were taken aback by the heavy use of autotune in “Set Me Free Pt.2.”

im so sorry jimin congrats on your solo but thats too much autotune

— aura (@bornaura) March 17, 2023

My favourite part of the MV.

I wish they used less autotune, because Jimin has a unique colour to his vocal. This part is where he shines! pic.twitter.com/iHDq1FzxB1

— kireeq⁷ (@Kireeqa) March 17, 2023

okay. i really did not enjoy the amt of autotune in that song i feel like it was overused to the point that jimin’s real voice got lost in translation and i’m a bit disappointed ngl 🧍‍ it’s just definitely not what i was expecting 🥹 https://t.co/qwgDWUBs55

— ayu ༝ 𓎆 (@boogawa) March 17, 2023

They felt that Jimin’s true voice was “lost in translation,” and that the use of autotune was excessive.

the autotune in jimin’s solo is horrendous

— riyo (@nytesix) March 17, 2023

Performance wise set me free is visually appealing, I like the choreo but sonically this has been jimin's weakest solo song. The autotune was way too excessive, the second verse is just awful and chorus felt too empty. I do like the prechorus tho, easily the the best part.

— SHAN (@lucidoutcome) March 17, 2023

ik the autotune in jimin’s set me free was stylistically used but imo it could’ve been better off without it or at least less of it. Other than that, the performance, choreo, visuals, instrumental, ATE

— i’m wasn’t the king (@dabisdirtyhair) March 17, 2023

set me free is fcking bad for me. GHSTLOOP always produces bad songs he’s really obsessed with ugly autotune. jimin’s lie and serendipity are so much better and that makes me feel disappointed

— (@tanginey) March 17, 2023

honestly, the autotune in set me free is bad and jimin could have sang without it but that's the only negative thing i found about the song. other than that, the production, the lyrics, everything from the outfits to the reference to ON, was absolutely wonderful.

— nia (@milfiejimin) March 17, 2023

that #autotune part from Jimin's new song Set me Free was horrendous sorry ruined the song for me personally pic.twitter.com/dETnjut3Uh

— ромашка-українка (@herbal_bride) March 17, 2023

Others, however, are defending Jimin’s stylistic choices. Some fans pointed out connections between “Set Me Free Pt.2,” BTS’s past works, and Jimin’s FACE concept.

Jimin's Filter, Black Swan and ON were all apart of the Shadow section of MOTS7 and are all represented here.

In Interlude: Shadow and Black Swan the Shadow itself is represented by autotune which you can hear here.

"Gotta go Insane to stay sane" is about being brave to + pic.twitter.com/zlTXE1LX21

— Dr. omeroz⁷ (@omermeroz) March 17, 2023

the concept of distortion (via the mirror’s reflection of self) is continued through SMF’s use of aggressive autotune. it creates a dichotomy (natural vs distorted voice) — jimin’s software and hardware are arguing with each other.

he is duelling himself sonically & visually. https://t.co/QPsg6F8ZeZ

— e¹³ 🪞 SET US FREE!!! (@coupdjimin) March 17, 2023

Regardless of the meaning behind the autotune, many fans are praising Jimin for thinking outside the box and trying something new for his new era.

Jimin using the autotune as an instrument and incorporating it in the song as it's own different element.. truly a musical genius!
Jimin's musical abilities are chef's kiss!

— 𝐩𝐫𝐢 ¹³ 🪞 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 (@aIIeycatjm) March 17, 2023

and fuck the autotune discourse btw i can already sniff it from a mile away. jimin can sing without it we all know that, it was obviously stylistically used and i think it worked.

— ❦ (@heavendrunk) March 17, 2023

I loved it like people need to realise that autotune is often used for artistic purposes with certain songs like black swan for example. JIMIN ate https://t.co/3CZSuTuK3L

— FACE (@lumosjmin) March 17, 2023

What are your thoughts?