Jungkook may be young, but he’s a force to be reckoned with

Despite officially being on a break for his mandatory military service, the world can’t get enough of Jungkook. The musician is best known for his work with BTS, but his budding solo career has made massive waves – even while he’s away. Why does the BTS Maknae have such staying power?

 

Jungkook's meteoric rise to fame traces back to 2011 in Daegu, where he took a risk and decided to audition for South Korea's Superstar K talent show. Although he didn't secure a spot on the program, his talent caught the eye of not one but seven entertainment agencies, including Big Hit Entertainment. At the time, Big Hit was in the midst of assembling the revolutionary hip-hop idol ensemble that would later become BTS. 

 

It was a pivotal moment when Jungkook, swayed by the rap skills of fellow BTS member RM, opted to join Big Hit Entertainment. Debuting with BTS on June 13, 2013, at just 15 years old, Jungkook swiftly became an integral part of the group's songwriting process, contributing to hits like "Love Is Not Over" and "Magic Shop," while also pursuing solo ventures such as "Still With You" and "My You."

 

He made his official solo debut on July 14, 2023. With 10 years of experience at only 25 years old, he had industry experience most could only dream of and his entire life ahead of him. He debuted with the track "Seven" featuring American rapper Latto. This high profile collaboration (and excellent song) catapulted him onto the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200 charts with nearly 16 million Spotify streams. The song's international acclaim translated into numerous awards, including "International Song of the Year" and an impressive tally of 13 wins across South Korea's major music programs.

 

Jungkook's accolades extend to the Guinness World Records, where he currently holds four titles, three of which are attributed to "Seven," such as the "Most streamed track on Spotify in one week (male)" and the "Fastest time for a music track to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify (male)."

 

 

In November 2023, Jungkook solidified his solo career with the release of his debut studio album, GOLDEN. Featuring collaborations with Western heavyweights like Jack Harlow, Major Lazer, and DJ Snake, the 11-track masterpiece soared to double platinum status in South Korea, platinum in Japan, and gold certification in Canada, with global sales surpassing 2.7 million. The album's chart-topping success was undeniable, reigning at No. 1 on eight weekly charts worldwide and securing top 10 positions in over 25 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, and the United States.

 

Now, his latest single, “Never Let Go,” has him in the spotlight again. It’ll be thrilling to see where this song takes him next.