From 2013 SoundCloud tracks to World Cup soundtrack singles, check out the best of his endeavors without all of his BTS bandmates.
Throughout Jung Kook‘s professional career, the BTS superstar has made a point to use his birthday to share more of himself as a musician with fans. Whether it’s been to upload a cover of a song by any of his favorite artists or share work-in-progress demos of his solo work, Jung Kook uses every Sept. 1 to celebrate music in a big way.
Even before his official debut with BTS in 2013, Jung Kook had shared covers and collaborated with his band members on SoundCloud tracks — crucial early steps in creating the BTS ARMY we know today. Despite being the group’s youngest member — who debuted when he was still a teenager — Jung Kook has always taken the time to share the latest artists and tracks he loves while also giving fans glimpses into his budding career as a soloist.
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While BTS ensured the focus remained on the group during their first nine years together, the moments each member has been able to show on his own are particularly precious. From memorable performances at awards shows to different television appearances, Jung Kook has made sure that each of his solo moments — sometimes alongside artists he enjoys, including individual BTS members — counts.
To celebrate BTS’ “golden maknae,” take the time to honor Jung Kook’s musicality with his best moments as a soloist. With works uploaded as early as 2013 to his first top 40 hit as a soloist, one can hear the ongoing growth and development in his vocals, technique, showmanship and confidence through the years.
Below, revisit the performances where Jung Kook acts as one of the leading performers and enjoy the evolution.
"Like a Star" With RM (2013)
Released before BTS had even officially debuted on the music scene, this team-up between BTS leader RM and the group’s youngest member displayed their musicality. A reinterpretation of the 2011 J. Cole track, “Like a Star” showed how BTS was finding inspiration from other top musicians while weaving their own musical perspective.
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"Paper Hearts" (2015)
Covering a powerhouse such as Tori Kelly takes significant vocal courage, but Jung Kook pulled it off with true finesse. Uploaded to BTS’ SoundCloud as a 2015 Christmas present to the A.R.M.Y in late December, JK’s fluttery approach was perfect for the acoustic production.
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"Fools" With RM (2015)
An early team-up between RM and JK came with this tender cover ofTroye Sivan‘s “Fools” uploaded to the group’s SoundCloud account. The duo’s beautiful rendition of the emotional track was kept simple with just a piano arrangement to highlight their vocals.
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"If You (Live)" (2016)
WhileThe Masked Singeris a TV hit worldwide, the singing competition originated in South Korea, where it’s been a beloved program since 2015. Titled King of Masked Singer, the Korean original varies slightly from the format U.S. viewers are familiar with, in that singers appear for two episodes and compete in three rounds where they sing a song solo and the same tune as competing “hidden” singers.
A teenage Jung Kook appeared on the show as the “Fencing Man,” wowing the panel of celebrity judges and audience members with his beautiful breath technique on a cover of BIGBANG‘s “If You.” It was a pivotal moment for Jung Kook to prove his vocal abilities to the larger public. (Watch the Fencing Man’s cover of “If You.” For a bonus clip, watch when his identity shocks the audience upon reveal.)
"Begin" (2016)
TheWingsalbum wasn’t just a breakthrough for BTS in that its Billboard 200 debut made it the highest charting and best-selling K-pop album ever in America at the time, but also for spotlighting each member with solo tracks. Jung Kook’s synth-heavy tune “Begin” was the first indication (of many) that the young star could easily stand alongside Justin Bieber and more of the world’s biggest male pop stars.
All the more special about “Begin”: RM wrote on the sentimental track that details Jung Kook’s journey from his hometown of Busan to living in Seoul.
"I Know" With RM (2016)
Clear evidence that BTS’ music is for all, this 2016 SoundCloud track features Jung Kook and RM singing about receiving and giving love, from and to a boy and a girl, switching up the perspectives throughout the track. Early in their careers, BTS gained praise for gender-neutral lyrics — even their unreleased tracks spoke to this perspective.
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"2U" (2017)
While David Guetta and Justin Bieber came together on “2U” for a heavy-hitting EDM collab, Jung Kook’s musicality shines through on this cover that reimagines the future-bass cut as a gorgeous ballad. The credits note that JK created the vocal arrangement himself.
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"We Don't Talk Anymore" With Jimin (2017)
Two of BTS’ top vocalists covering one of the biggest pop duets of the previous year? Hearing Jung Kook and band mate Jimin take on Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez‘s top 10 Hot 100 hit was a true treat for pop fans worldwide. (Listen to the duet.)
"We Don't Talk Anymore" Live With Charlie Puth (2018)
Months after covering “We Don’t Talk Anymore” with Jimin, Jung Kook linked with Charlie Puth for an unforgettable performance at the 2018 MBC Plus X Genie Music Awards. The live performance in Seoul was a standout moment for Jung Kook, and showed a new artistic side of himself.
"Euphoria" (2018)
One of the most significant indicators of BTS and Jung Kook’s ongoing crossover potential came via the standout track “Euphoria,” teased as part of the unraveling story inside the group’sLove Yourself: TearandLove Yourself: Answer albums. The blissful tropical-house sound perfectly suited JK’s soaring vocals and became a highlight in BTS’ live shows when Jung Kook would attach himself to a harness and fly over audiences. (Watch the video for “Euphoria.”)
"Decalcomania (Demo)" (2019)
Instead of the usual cover he typically releases on his birthday, Jung Kook tweeted a demo that he had been working on as a present to fans in 2019, telling them to look forward to the song. While the clip was untitled, fans have nicknamed the atmospheric English track “Decalcomania” from its lyrics on what’s presumed to be the chorus.
In 2021, JK shared in a fan meeting that he thinks he deleted the song’s files but promised he could re-record it if necessary. Listen to the song:
요거는…기대해주세용 ㅎㅎ pic.twitter.com/AWIFVQqeep
— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) August 31, 2019
"Save Me (Live)" (2019)
While this isn’t a moment that featured any singing from Jung Kook, it’s a stunning musical moment nonetheless. During BTS’ career-spanning, 37-minute performance at the 2019 Melon Music Awards in Seoul, each Bangtan Boy got a moment to showcase his dance and musical styles. Jung Kook took on the 2016 single “Save Me” to perform in a shallow pool where one could be convinced he was full-on water bending. The performance is a masterclass in control and confidence, with JK seemingly in control of how the tassels moved on his shirt. (Watch the solo moment starting at 5:20.)
"Ending Scene Ver2" (2019)
The first album Jung Kook ever bought was an IU record, so, of course, he needed to bring perfection when covering the K-pop diva. His admiration for her 2017 ballad single “Ending Scene” is so strong that he released the song twice. The second version JK uploaded is a bit crisper and moving, speaking to his dedication to always showing his best.
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"My Time" (2020)
While Jung Kook’s solo tracks on past BTS albums all had full-fledged pop appeal, “My Time” changed things up a bit with a heavier R&B influence. The song allowed him to riff across each of the stunning choruses, and stands as one of his most emotive performances as he speaks to his missed teenage experiences in favor of his career. The song entered the Hot 100 at No. 84. (Listen to “My Time.”)
"Still With You" (2020)
During the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the jazzy, fan-dedicated track “Still With You” was a big hug from Jung Kook to ARMY. Listeners got to hear his warm vocals sail over tinkling pianos and groovy guitar as JK reassurances fans that he’s “Still With You.”
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"Stay Alive (Prod. By Suga)" (2022)
Produced by BTS’ Suga, “Stay Alive” was recorded for the soundtrack of the group’s digital comic webtoon 7Fates:Chakho,and marks one of JK’s most dramatic vocal performances. Fans loved it, and it landed Jung Kook his first credited entry on the Hot 100 as a soloist. (Watch the “Stay Alive” music video.)
"My You" (2022)
Days after the release of BTS’ anthology albumProof, Jung Kook took to the group’s SoundCloud account to share another meaningful song for fans. “My You” is filled with touching messages to the ARMY, made evident through moving lyrics that reference the group’s unofficial color: “Shining purple light/ Thankful to be by your side now.”
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"Left and Right" With Charlie Puth (2022)
In his first solo move as part of BTS’ “Chapter 2,” Jung Kook went full-on top 40 with his collaboration with one of his favorite artists. “Left and Right” with Puth not only highlights JK’s ability to spot a radio-ready hook, but his openness to jump on an innovative track like “Left and Right” — that literally jumps from the left and right sides across speakers and headphones — articulates his forward-thinking pop perspective.
"Dreamers (Live)" (2022)
JK made his biggest global move as a soloist when he performed the song “Dreamers” at the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony as part of its official soundtrack. The RedOne-produced dance track boasts a global sound and saw Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi join him on stage for the performance.
No doubt that ARMY around the world were proud seeing the youngest BTS member wowing a worldwide audience all on his own.
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