Jeon Jungkook, often simply referred to as Jungkook, was born on September 1, 1997, in Busan, South Korea. He has an older brother who is two years his senior. As a young child, he dreamed of becoming a badminton player. However, in 2010, his aspirations took a different turn, especially after being inspired by a televised performance, leading him to decide to pursue a career as a singer. Jeon Jungkook entered the scene in 2013 when BTS debuted with the single “2 Cool 4 Skool.” The subsequent journey unfolded into the globally renowned success story of the group.
With BTS activities on hold until 2025 due to mandatory military service, Big Hit capitalized on the solo projects of the unrevealed members. J-Hope, RM, Suga, Jimin, and V released singles to maintain interest before the group’s return. Jung Kook, the youngest member, successfully launched the album “Golden.” The single “Seven” has a garage sound reminiscent of Daniel Bedingfield, while “3D” draws inspiration from early Justin Timberlake. However, the diversity of the tracks seems to limit Jung Kook’s individuality. The disco vibe of “Standing Next To You” is a positive exception, but the collaboration with Ed Sheeran in “Yes Or No” appears as uninnovative cosplay. Even the ballad “Hate You” and the acoustic “Somebody” follow predictable formulas. Despite success among fans, “Golden” seems to underutilize Jung Kook’s artistic potential, appearing as a streaming-centric operation.
