AERA, a well-known Japanese weekly magazine, recently hosted an exhibit titled The Making of a Magazine. At the exhibit, attendees got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the production of its issues, including the April 2023 issue featuring BTS’s Jimin on the cover. This event took place at the COVER library in Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado from April 17 to April 23.

The April issue, released shortly after Jimin’s debut solo album FACE,included a stunning 12-page spread that captured the hearts of ARMYs worldwide. The photos, taken by acclaimed photographer Mika Ninagawa, made the spread even more appealing.

Mika, the daughter of famed theater director Yukio Ninagawa, rose to prominence in the late 1990s as part of Japan’s “Girly Photo” movement. She made her directing debut with the film Sakuran in 2007, followed by the music video for AKB48’s “Heavy Rotation” in 2010. Mika’s signature style of bright, saturated colors and dynamic compositions, which gave the video a lively, eye-catching visual feel, was evident in Jimin’s spread in AERA. The collaboration between Jimin and Mika resulted in visually arresting photos where Jimin, dressed in a mauve pink blazer, was surrounded by a lush floral backdrop.

 

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Jimin is one of K-pop’s most beloved figures

The exhibit gave fans an immersive, informative look at how magazine publishing works. It included a series of displays that explained how the AERA staff puts every issue to bed, shedding light on the entire process from start to finish. Entry to the exhibit was free, which allowed many to experience the magic of magazine publishing and the charm of one of K-pop’s most beloved figures.

One of the highlights was a display featuring previously unreleased photos and videos from Jimin’s cover shoot. Behind-the-scenes content from photoshoots with other artists, including popular figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, J-pop groups BE:FIRST and INI, and soloist Hiromitsu Kitayama, also had spots in the exhibit. Finally, for those curious about what it’s like to appear in AERA, there was an interactive mirror photo wall where attendees could experience being on the cover of the magazine.

This event celebrated the art of magazine publishing and proved how influential and popular Jimin truly is. Pre-orders for the April 2023 issue soared, topping charts on major Japanese online platforms like Amazon Japan and Net7 even before its official release. The exhibit allowed Jimin’s fans to feel his presence even as he’s serving in the South Korean military. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Don’t you wish you could’ve gone to the exhibit? Source: Instagram/@aera_net.