Jung Kook
Biography
Jeon Jung-kook, known as Jungkook, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer. He was born on September 1, 1997, in Busan, South Korea. Initially dreaming of becoming a badminton player, his aspirations shifted towards a singing career after seeing a performance by G-Dragon. In 2011, he auditioned for the South Korean talent show "Superstar K". Though he was not selected, he received casting offers from seven different entertainment companies. He ultimately chose to join Big Hit Entertainment (now Hybe Corporation) as a trainee after seeing RM, who is now a fellow BTS member, perform. He debuted as a member of BTS on June 12, 2013, at the age of 15.
Role in BTS
As a member of BTS, Jungkook holds the positions of main vocalist, lead dancer, sub-rapper, and center. He is also the youngest member of the group, a position referred to as "maknae" in K-pop. Due to his proficiency in various areas, he is often called the "Golden Maknae". He has been credited as a main producer for several BTS songs, including "Love is Not Over" and "Magic Shop".
Education
Jungkook graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul in 2017. In March 2022, he graduated from Global Cyber University's Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment and received the President's Award, the highest honor from the institution.
Solo Career
Jungkook has released several solo tracks throughout his career. His first solo songs as part of BTS's discography were "Begin" from the 2016 album "Wings" and "Euphoria" from the 2018 compilation album "Love Yourself: Answer". On July 14, 2023, he made his official solo debut with the single "Seven," featuring American rapper Latto. He followed this with the single "3D" featuring Jack Harlow. His debut solo album, "Golden," was released in November 2023, with "Standing Next to You" as the title track. His solo work has achieved significant commercial success, with "Golden" becoming the most awarded debut album of all time. He has surpassed billions of streams on Spotify across his solo releases.
Collaborations and Endorsements
Beyond his work with BTS and his solo music, Jungkook has engaged in various collaborations and endorsements. He collaborated with Charlie Puth on the song "Left and Right" and was featured on a remix of Usher's "Standing Next to You". In March 2023, he was announced as a global brand ambassador for Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear. He has also been involved in endorsements for numerous other brands alongside his fellow BTS members.