BTS’ Jung Kook builds solo success with ‘Seven’ and ‘GOLDEN’ ahead of group comeback

With BTS preparing to return in March, anticipation is rising worldwide. The comeback news, carried by “Arirang,” and plans for a world tour are expected to trigger immediate reactions beyond the music industry, affecting tourism and broader local economies. BTS is seen as both a force with global economic impact and a symbolic name that has elevated South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is publishing a “BTS member profile” series examining the group’s seven members one by one. <Editor’s note>
Jung Kook, BTS’ youngest member, has carried one of the group’s broadest roles — main vocalist, lead dancer and sub-rapper. Onstage, he is known for steady live vocals paired with precise performance, and his work has extended into songwriting. His nickname, “golden maknae,” has become shorthand for that range.

In 2023, his solo debut single “Seven” established his name beyond the group’s achievements. The song topped domestic and international charts and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 upon entry. On Spotify, it set a record as the fastest track by an Asian artist to reach 1 billion streams. The momentum continued with his first solo album, “GOLDEN,” which led in both sales and streaming and cemented his standing as a solo act.

“GOLDEN” frames what the album calls Jung Kook’s “golden moments.” Built around “Standing Next to You,” the track order follows an emotional arc from the start to the end of love. The retro-funk title track highlights his groove-driven vocals and performance, while the album leans into pop-centered global sounds. Collaborations with world-renowned producers also underscored his positioning as a global pop star.

Vocals remain his core strength. Rather than relying only on power, he shifts smoothly between chest voice and falsetto to shape a song’s mood. Even while executing BTS’ demanding choreography, he is known for stable live singing — a key reason he has long been central to the group’s vocal line. With performance added, he is often described not as a “dancing singer,” but as a vocalist who completes the stage.

He has also steadily built a record as a creator. From “OUTRO: Love is Not Over” to “Autumn Leaves,” his solo track “Begin,” and the fan song “Magic Shop,” he contributed his own language to BTS’ narrative. Later releases such as “Still With You,” “My You” and “Never Let Go” showed a careful approach to emotion and melody. “Still With You,” in particular, has remained widely discussed beyond the fan base, highlighting his songwriting sensibility.

His impact is reflected in streaming figures. On Spotify, “Seven” and “Standing Next to You” each surpassed 1 billion streams, setting a first for an Asian solo singer, and his cumulative streams on his personal account also reached a new milestone. Jung Kook is no longer defined only as “the group’s youngest member,” but as a solo artist proving himself through results in the global pop market.

As BTS returns as a team, Jung Kook is set to resume his role as a central vocalist. At the same time, he has already secured a clear place as a solo artist — across performance, vocals and records — and remains one of the most direct examples of how far K-pop has reached.