Jung Kook
- Stage name
- Jung Kook
- Agency
- BIGHIT MUSIC
- Fandom
- ARMY
- Debut
- 2013
- Generation
- 3rd gen
Jung Kook is the youngest member of BTS and a solo pop star in his own right. His 2023 single "Seven," featuring Latto, opened at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which made him the second BTS member to top that chart. He finished roughly 18 months of South Korean military service, much of it as a cook, and was discharged in June 2025. He is now splitting his attention between the group's comeback album and tour and his own solo growth. In interviews he describes himself as still forming his identity and says he wants to keep evolving as an artist.
Where they grew up
Jung Kook was 15 when he became part of BTS, and he has grown up inside the group ever since. He chose the then-small BigHit Music over several other offers because RM struck him as "really, really cool and awesome." He went on to become the group's all-rounder, nicknamed the "Golden Maknae." Hometown and childhood details are not covered here.
In their own words
“I want to be an artist who doesn’t get dragged by the flow, but creates the flow”
“I don’t want to be confined — I want to be an artist without limits.”
“This is a time where I can evaluate whether I can take another leap forward”
“I’m still forming my sense of self”
- RM Jung Kook picked BigHit Music over other offers because RM seemed "really, really cool and awesome." rollingstone.com
Timeline
- 2013Joined BigHit Music
- 2023Solo single "Seven" with Latto
It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making him the second BTS member to top the chart.
- 2024Released "Never Let Go"
His solo release from the summer of 2024 was his last before the group's comeback.
- 2025Discharged from military service
He was discharged from the South Korean military in June 2025, and later reunited with Jimin for season 2 of the series "Are You Sure?!".
- 2026ARIRANG album and world tour
BTS returned on March 20 with ARIRANG, a three-week Billboard 200 No. 1, then began the world tour in April.
Latest
- BTS ARIRANG World Tour continues into 2027
HYBE said BTS will resume the tour later in November with more shows in Asia and stops in Australia, add dates through the first half of 2027, and work on group and solo projects after the tour.
billboard.com - Rolling Stone interview on ARIRANG and solo stardomrollingstone.com
- ARIRANG world tourbillboard.com
Our coverage
BTS' 'Swim' Cracks Apple Music's 100-Song Best of 2026 as the Only K-Pop Entry
BigHit Music confirms the "Arirang" lead track made the platform's 100-song year-end list, a first for a Korean group.

Lisa Lands Second Solo Top 40 Album as 'PRESS PLAY' Opens at No. 35
The EP lands at No. 6 on Top Album Sales in the same week Jennie's Tame Impala collaboration returns to No. 5 on the Hot 100.

BTS 'Swim' Suit Ends as Three Songwriters Withdraw Claims
The plaintiffs asked a California judge to dismiss the case against Hybe, BigHit Music and songwriter Ryan Tedder less than four months after filing it.

Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Ties Hot 100 Peak at No. 5
Lisa's Press Play opens at No. 35 on the Billboard 200, while Katseye, BTS, Cortis and Stray Kids also hold places on the albums chart.

Why Every K-pop Group Gives Its Fans a Name, From ARMY to FOHA
Our Lexicon entry on the fandom name: what it means, who picks it, and the wordplay behind CARAT, MOA, ONCE and hundreds more.

What 'Presale' Means for K-pop Fans: Codes, Fan Clubs and the Early Ticket Rush
From Weverse sign-up deadlines to case-sensitive fan club codes, here is the early ticket window K-pop tours run on, and why a code never guarantees a seat.

Photocard: The Debit-Card-Size K-pop Collectible Fans Pull, Swap and Price
From a 2010 Girls' Generation album to $13 Lucky Draw cards and tea-lounge swap meets, here is how the photocard works for U.S. fans.

Maknae, Explained: From a Korean Family Word to Jungkook's Golden Nickname
K-pop borrowed the Korean word for the last-born child to name a group's youngest member, then built golden maknaes, maknae lines and a Netflix rapper on top of it.

Why K-Pop Calls Every New Release a 'Comeback,' Even Three Months Later
Our Lexicon entry on the word that runs the K-pop calendar: what it means, why no hiatus is required, and how BTS's March return fit both definitions.

Sunbae and Hoobae: The Korean Words That Sort K-pop Idols by Who Came First
Why Kep1er's Yeseo calls EUNHA "sunbae-nim," why TXT are BTS' hoobaes, and how K-pop's senior and junior titles really work.

Soundcheck Package: The K-pop VIP Tier That Gets You Into Rehearsal
From BTS' first 200,000-won sound check seats to 2026 U.S. tour stops: what the pre-show tier includes, what it costs and how to buy one.

Sasaeng: The K-pop Word for Fans Who Cross Into Idols' Private Lives
From hired taxis tailing Kim Jae-joong to a break-in on NCT's U.S. tour: what the word means, where it comes from and how agencies fight back.

- billboard.com: BTS Plans to Add More ARIRANG Tour Dates & Work on New Music & Solo Projects in 2027
- abc7.com: BTS announces March comeback date, putting an end to a nearly 4-year hiatus
- voguehk.com: V Drops "Love Me Again"! Take A Look At BTS' Latest Solo Projects
- consequence.net: What Every Member of BTS Has Done Since Their 2022 Hiatus
- billboard.com: BTS' Jung Kook Doesn't Want to Be 'Confined' as a Solo Artist
- rollingstone.com: Jung Kook Interview: Solo Stardom, Writing for BTS
Last researched Nov. 12, 2026


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