JB Makes His Solo Debut with 'Road Runner' After Weight Loss and Military Service

On November 27, 2024, JB of GOT7 made a bold return to the music scene with the release of his first solo studio album, 'Archive One: [Road Runner]' at a showcase held at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

Expressing his excitement, JB admitted, "I’m really nervous," as he shared his hopes for the album, stating, "I want it to be meaningful, reflecting the hard work I’ve put in. I prepared this album with the desire to connect with my fans."

'Road Runner' marks JB's first solo album after 12 years in the industry and his first release since completing his military service. The album encapsulates feelings of anticipation and reunion, showcasing his growth and maturity as an artist.

Reflecting on his time in the military, JB expressed gratitude to his fans for their patience. He shared, "I thought a lot about how to express my appreciation. Watching my members perform while I was serving made me feel a rush of emotions. It motivated me to return to the stage quickly. I want to create music that not only resonates with me but also with what my fans want to hear."

This year is particularly significant for JB, as it marks his discharge from military service, the release of his first solo album, and the 10th anniversary of GOT7's debut.

He noted the weight of responsibility in taking on roles previously shared among the seven members, saying, "The pressure of handling everything alone is immense. As the leader of GOT7, I focused on harmonizing the group’s dynamics, but in my solo work, I can concentrate on my own opinions."

JB also shared insights about the support he received from his fellow GOT7 members and JYP Entertainment's founder, Park Jin-young. He mentioned, "I didn’t share any guide tracks or recordings before the album release. I expect my members to text me after they hear it. Jin-young has seen the cover image and offered to help promote it, and I often seek his advice on how to work harder in the future."

In preparation for his comeback, JB lost an impressive 14 kg. He explained, "I aimed to keep things simple. I gained weight during my service, so I worked hard to exercise. I focused on running, weight training, and combat sports, while significantly reducing my carbohydrate intake, which helped me lose weight."

The album features two title tracks: 'Crash' and 'Cloud Nine.' 'Crash' showcases JB's energetic performance style, reflecting his desire to find meaning in his journey. In contrast, 'Cloud Nine' presents his musical direction, characterized by an R&B rhythm that creates an intimate atmosphere.

JB elaborated, "'Crash' focuses on the performance and passion I’ve shown so far, while 'Cloud Nine' allows me to express my pursuit of R&B music. I wanted to open up the possibility of showcasing more of this style in the future, so I chose these two contrasting songs as my title tracks to gift to my fans."

The album includes a total of 13 tracks, such as 'Baby,' 'If You,' 'Make Me Right,' 'Chosen,' 'Take It Easy,' 'Preview,' 'Temperature,' 'Right Back,' 'Inside,' along with two exclusive tracks on the CD, 'Present' and 'Winter Night.'

JB's album 'Road Runner' will be officially released at 6 PM on the same day, followed by his solo concert 'Tape: Reload' on December 7 at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where he will meet with global fans.

He concluded with a determination to give his best on stage, saying, "I want to hear that I did my best and worked hard."