Jung Kook

South Korean singer, songwriter, and producer Jung Kook is best known as a member and main vocalist of K-pop boy band BTS. Debuting with the group in 2013, he went on to earn global success alongside his bandmates, selling out stadiums around the world and topping the charts in multiple markets. In addition to his activities with BTS, he has not only appeared on various television reality shows but also recorded and produced his own solo material, like 2020′s “Still with You” and his official debut single, 2023′s “Seven,” from his first full-length, Golden. Jeon Jung-kook was born in 1997 in Busan. Inspired by K-pop predecessor G-Dragon of Big Bang (as well as American artists like Justin Timberlake and Usher), he decided to pursue a career in music, beginning his training in the early 2010s with Big Hit Entertainment. After honing his dancing skills at home and in Los Angeles, he was recruited as a founding member of Big Hit’s newest boy band, BTS. They issued their first effort, 2 Cool 4 Skool, in 2013 and soon found themselves at the top of the K-pop world with international chart-toppers such as Love Yourself: Tear and Map of the Soul: 7. Within the group, Jung Kook got to showcase his talents with spotlight moments such as “Begin” from Wings and “Euphoria” from Love Yourself: Answer. He also helped produce the BTS tracks “Love Is Not Over” and “Magic Shop.” Outside of the group, he joined other Korean artists for the 2015 “One Dream, One Korea” project and issued the track “Still with You” in June 2020. The following year, Jung Kook teamed with Iyori Shimizu (Back Number) and UTA for the single “Film Out,” which promoted BTS’ 2021 Japanese-language compilation BTS, The Best. The following year, he amped up his solo output with the release of the sweeping “Stay Alive” from 7Fates: Chakho. Later in 2022, after the release of the chart-topping BTS compilation Proof, he teamed with Charlie Puth for the American singer/songwriter’s pop hit “Left and Right.” That November, he unveiled “Dreamers” as part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 soundtrack, performing the song at the tournament’s opening ceremony with Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi. The single hit number one on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs chart. In 2023, Jung Kook released his official debut single, the explicit “Seven” featuring rapper Latto. That hit track appeared on his first full-length, Golden, which arrived in November. Featuring Jack Harlow (“3D”), Major Lazer (“Closer to You”), DJ Snake (“Please Don’t Change”), the star-making album also included input by BloodPop, Cirkut, Banx & Ranx, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, and many more. Remixes with two of Jung Kook’s influences arrived soon after, with Timberlake joining “3D” and Usher on “Standing Next to You.” The album topped both the Korean and Japanese charts and reached number two on the Billboard 200. The non-album single “Never Let Go” appeared in July 2024, charting on the Hot 100. ~ Neil Z. Yeung