Jin—one-seventh of the massive K-pop group that is BTS—opted for the Los Angeles area to be the epicenter for his video for the lead single of his first solo album, “Running Wild.”
And not just L.A. proper: The singer opens the video with an ode to Retro Row as he witnesses the world collapsing as it gets pelted by meteors. While everyone else loses their minds, Jin opts for a day with his puppy while taking in his last day on earth.
Hold up—Jin from BTS was in Long Beach? (Hold your scream.)
Kim Seok-jin, known professionally as Jin, has long been a member of the massive K-Pop outfit that is BTS. With the release of his first solo, “Happy,” in which he will be premiering its lead single, “Running Wild,” on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night show on Nov. 20.
And yes, he very much chose Long Beach’s Retro Row as the opening backdrop for the music video, stopping in places like The Social List, The Art Theatre, and the Far Outfit vintage shop.
“We were approached by the film production team that there was going to be a big star filming a music video,” said Lola’s and The Social List co-owner and Chef Luis Navarro. “He really wanted 4th Street. Let’s be honest: He wanted the most authentic, local, small business-centric Main Street in Long Beach. On top of that, he wanted a Long Beach iconic restaurant—and that meant he wanted Lola’s, but the space wasn’t available. So he tried The Social List and fell in love with the vibe. It wsan’t just the local vibes of Long Beach he fell for—but 4th Street locals specifically. He fell in love with the real Long Beach. The rest is history.”
With Jin from BTS in Long Beach, a sense of pride for 4th Street business owners.
For Art Theatre co-owner Kerstin Kansteiner—whose former coffeeshop Portfolio largely led the Retro Row renaissance that overrode a large dismissal of the neighborhood—sees it as a moment of pride.
“The Art Theater is incredibly proud to be featured in Jin from BTS’s newest video,” Kerstin said. “A street that was once a forgotten district is now a destination for all things vintage, retro, and hip. It’s hard not to be proud that a new generation will set new eyes on the Art Theatre in the heart of Retro Row.”
The growing cultural capital of Long Beach
Long Beach has long held its own. Its residents, particularly those born here, never tell people while traveling they are from L.A. No. They are from Long Beach—there has also long been a dismissal of it as its own entity. Nearly every movie filmed here simply attaches its story to Los Angeles. From a celebrity angle, it is single-handedly Snoop that has led that charge, consistently pushing away from the narrative that Long Beach is just another part of L.A. (We shall never forget a broadcaster misnomering our city as “Venice Beach” during the closing ceremony of this year’s summer Olympics.)
And when broken down into smaller components—like a Long Beach neighborhood being featured in a video that has racked some 2.5-million-plus views in 12 hours, it is hard not smile and beam.
“While our street may be considered a hidden gem, it’s no secret to us how special it is,” said Sierra Sky of the 4th Street Business Association. “We’re beyond stoked to see some of our incredible local businesses shining in the spotlight along with Jin; hopefully this will allow even more people to discover all that our community has to offer.”
Well, did Jin from BTS dig in on the food of Long Beach?
Oh yes, yes he did. Burgers. Fries. Prawns. A few drinks. The Social List happily served him and the crew but there were stand-outs.
“His favorite?” Luis offered. “The garlic butterflied prawns and, of course, the Fig & Blue burger.”
Thanks for the lovely write up Brian! I‘m from the Midwest, so I’ve only been to LA a couple of times but I hope next time I’m in the area I’ll get to check out Retro Row! Also, just two minor corrections. The Jimmy Fallon show won’t be airing until next week on the 20th and the band members are not fully back together yet since there are still 5 members and enlisted until June 2025. Thanks again for the nice article!! 💜
Thank you for the corrections, oh mighty Army member. It has been updated!
Thank you for this article!
Thank you brain for writing this article! As an ARMY from LB I’m so proud and many ARMY will for sure visit and eat some yummy food.
I’ve never been to LA but I really do love the vibe of Long Beach! One day I hope I get a chance to visit it and eat at The Social List. Much love from ARMY! 💜
Thank you for the wonderful write up about our Jin! 💜
Well, what I saw in the music video was so lovely that I will for sure be checking it out next holiday season!
Thanks for covering Jin at Long Beach. I ❤️ your article.
Thank you for recognizing Jin and his solo album. It makes us ARMY so proud when they are recognized in a positive light. And thank you for recognizing Long Beach as it’s own city and not “L.A” Im excited to visit these new places shown in the video and have fun while I’m there. I’m visiting today so I cant wait!
I really enjoyed reading your article about our Jin and his music video highlighting your beautiful city of Long Beach. If I ever make it to California again, I’ll be sure to check out all the places in the video.
Also, this is actually the second video from his album. Check out his first video:I’ll Be There For You” It’s really fun and light hearted, just like Jin💜
It’s so great that someone made the effort to find Long Beach 4th St and that Jin loved it enough to film here. BTS has their pick of locations, happy to not see the same old “LA” spots, and that he used his platform to promote a real place! Fig and blue burger sounds fantastic!
Wonderful article Im sure BTS Army will visit this location.. although I hope he aint pulling ou leg with the food.. cause I know he likes Seafood but dude is Allergic to Garlic.. 🤷🏻♀️
I am from Long Beach. It is a great city that has so much to offer. I no longer live there, but love to visit my family when I can. It is an honor for Long Beach to be represented in Jin’s music video. I am a grateful mom that has appreciated all BTS has done. Thank you Long Beach for allowing this! You will be filled with ARMY from all over. ARMY, treat Long Beach well!
Very lovely article. Thank you for sharing so much information about the setting for the Running Wild MV. There were so many cool spots featured there and I hope lots of people go visit after seeing it.
One little correction: Running Wild isn’t his first solo music video. Jin has had several solo music videos under BTS (eg. Epiphany), while not under BTS (eg. The Astronaut), and even as a soloist for his first album (eg. I’ll Be There).
If you’d like to point out a special factor about this MV, you could say that Running Wild is the title track of Jin’s first solo studio album. It’s essential the main song of the album and the one that will be promoted primarily so it does still hold a lot of importance in his discography, making this MV quite special.
I’m glad he picked a setting that clearly is a source of great pride for the people living and working there. I can tell from the article that the residents think about it positively.
Jin values authenticity a lot so it says a great deal that he saw something in the setting and wanted that to be his backdrop. It complements the album’s message of finding joy in the small, simple things like quiet places and nostalgic things. Lots of love from ARMY 💜
The Army is a real one——corrected and thank you!
This is amazing! On our bucket list of places to check out….thank you for this wonderful article….falling in love with the place!
Honestly, it looks so beautiful there, I thought it must be a backlot in Los Angeles somewhere. That there is an actual place that looks that wonderful is awesome! Thank you for the great article about Jin, and I hope to make it there to visit someday
Thank you for the write up. I thought the backdrop looked authentic and I was very pleased to know it is a real location. I want to extend my thanks to business owners who welcome Jin with open hearts. Will definitely check Retro Row when we’re in town.