]Jung Kook of BTS attends a discharge ceremony held at Yeoncheon Public Stadium in Yeoncheon-gun on … Extra
Jung Kook’s managing to make his official solo debut and enlist for his necessary South Korean army service inside six months was already a testomony to his means to overcome and succeed rapidly. Nonetheless, the final 18 months throughout his conscription confirmed how a lot the youngest BTS member may accomplish even whereas serving his nation.
As among the finest examples in displaying that enlistment can coexist with superstardom, his enlistment starting on December 12, 2023, and his discharge on June 11, 2025, allowed him not solely to take care of however arguably elevate his profession. Together with releasing new music, topping charts, profitable prestigious awards, and giving again to his neighborhood, right here’s a chronological take a look at 20 of his standout milestones from his time away.
1. Closed Out 2023 With One in every of Spotify’s Largest International Hits
When the world’s greatest streaming service revealed their year-end numbers, Jung Kook’s large solo single “Seven” that includes Latto confirmed its lasting affect because the No. 4 prime international tune of 2023, solely behind Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers,” SZA’s “Kill Invoice” and “As It Was” by Harry Kinds. The achievement made him the one Okay-pop artist to land on any of Spotify’s year-end international or U.S. lists.
The huge viewers for “Seven” hasn’t slowed down both. As Jung Kook accomplished his service, “Seven” stays within the prime 100 most-streamed songs of all time on Spotify, with 2.39 billion streams at press time.
2. Made His Mark on IFPI’s International Single Chart
Within the Worldwide Federation of the Phonographic Business’s international music report that appears at music gross sales and exercise throughout the total world, Jung Kook’s “Seven” landed at Quantity 10 on the IFPI International Single Chart for 2023 making it the tenth greatest tune on the earth for the yr — even with its July 2023 launch.
Incomes the achievement together with his official debut single confirmed how Jung Kook the Soloists had really arrived.
3. Elevated Himself to Full Member of KOMCA
Acknowledged for his rising discography, Jung Kook joined the Korea Music Copyright Affiliation as an everyday member, following within the footsteps of his BTS band mates like Suga, RM and J‑Hope on January 31, 2024. Established in 1964, KOMCA protects the rights of music creators in South Korea, with members requiring a major physique of labor for acceptance within the membership.
4. Starred in a New Calvin Klein Marketing campaign
Even whereas within the army, Jung Kook was, certainly, serving. As a part of his international model ambassador duties for Calvin Klein, Jung Kook starred within the model’s Spring 2024 marketing campaign, together with his picture featured in shops and posters all over the world beginning that February. Even after we couldn’t see his face and ‘matches day by day in particular person, his presence continued to affect the style world and past.
5. Represented as the first Asian Star to Win the PCA’s Male Artist of the Yr
Jung Kook delivered an enormous second for illustration by snagging the win for Male Artist of the Yr on the 2024 Individuals’s Alternative Awards. Not solely did JK beat out massive names like Drake, The Weeknd and Dangerous Bunny, however received because the first-ever Asian artist to win the award on the February 18, 2024 ceremony in Santa Monica. The individuals have spoken, certainly!
6. Confirmed because the Yr’s Largest Okay-Pop Artist in America
On February 29, 2024, Billboard unveiled its inaugural Okay-Pop Artist 100 checklist, rating the largest Okay-pop artists and teams in America. Primarily based on artist exercise on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Billboard Sizzling 100 songs chart, and Billboard Boxscore touring information from January 2023 via December 2023, his Quantity One place solely additional underscored Jung Kook’s simple dominance within the U.S.
7. Scooped Up One other Tune of the Yr on the Japan Gold Disc Awards
The Recording Business Affiliation of Japan hosted its 2024 awards ceremony, which honors prime artists regionally, globally, and in Asia. After Jung Kook took residence the Tune of the Yr by Streaming – Western award on the 2023 Japan Gold Disc Awards for “Left and Proper” with Charlie Puth, Jung Kook earned yet one more SOTY on the March 2024 ceremony. “Seven” with Latto nabbed Tune of the Yr by Obtain – Asia, cementing his affect on Japan’s profitable music market.
8. Topped Okay‑Pop Artist of the Yr at iHeartRadio Music Awards
No joke: The iHeartRadio Music Awards might have taken place on April Idiot’s Day 2024, however Jung Kook’s win as Okay‑Pop Artist of the Yr confirmed how critical followers and radio have been supporting him within the wake of his massively profitable Golden period.
9. Named Asia Star Entertainer Awards’ First Tune of the Yr
Marking one other cross‑border triumph for his debut solo smash, “Seven” with Latto earned the Tune of the Yr award on the first-ever Asia Star Entertainer Awards that happened in Yokohama, Japan, on April 10, 2024.
10. Dropped “By no means Let Go” as a Tune for ARMY Throughout BTS’ Anniversary
As a part of BTS’s eleventh‑anniversary “FESTA” celebrations, the group’s BIGHIT MUSIC shared an unreleased Jung Kook tune, “By no means Let Go,” on June 7, 2024, marking his first solo output whereas serving. ARMY turned the upbeat thank‑you tune for followers into a present for JK himself when it turned his seventh tune to enter the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart, giving him a brand new document because the Okay-pop soloist with essentially the most entries on the U.S.-based singles chart.
11. Starred in His Disney+ Journey Collection With Jimin
From August 8 via September 19, 2024, Jung Kook and his BTS band mate Jimin co‑starred within the eight‑episode journey actuality present Are You Positive?! that streamed on Disney+ for the fellows’ first summer season away from followers. The sequence permits the fellows to get outdoors and showcase their sense of journey and camaraderie. The duo even bought nominated within the “Favourite On Display screen” class on the 2025 iHeartRadio Awards alongside different music stars’ streaming hits like Taylor Swift’s The Period’s Tour (Taylor’s Model), Demi Lovato’s Youngster Star and Megan Thee Stallion’s In Her Personal Phrases.
12. Premiered His Documentary in 120 Territories
Starting September 18, 2024, Jung Kook’s I Am Nonetheless documentary started displaying in cinemas worldwide in 120 totally different territories. The movie chronicled his solo period round his 2023 Golden album, providing an intimate take a look at his inventive evolution whereas reinforcing his cinematic attraction.
On account of overwhelming fan demand for I Am Nonetheless, HYBE, in collaboration with the doc’s distributor, Trafalgar Releasing, introduced that “Get together Version” screenings could be coming to theaters, that includes a further 20 minutes of singalong movies.
13. Joined the Gold Home A100 Record for 2024
On Might 1, 2024, the star was honored as a part of the Gold Home A100 Record as one in every of 100 Asian Pacific figures shaping American tradition. Jung Kook’s affect prolonged past music to have a broader societal affect.
Particularly, Gold Home famous how Jung Kook being “the primary Asian to win ‘Male Artist of the Yr’ on the Individuals’s Alternative Awards” was one of many yr’s major examples of Asian Pacific-led creativity breaking information in leisure. That yr, fellow honorees included Steve Aoki, Charli XCX, and Alan Chikin Chow, with a judging panel that included legendary journalist Lisa Ling, actor Daniel Dae Kim, and chart-topping music group Far East Motion.
14. Dominated on the 2024 Billboard Music Awards
After beforehand taking residence the Prime International Okay‑Pop Tune finally yr’s awards for “Seven,” Jung Kook snagged the respect for a second time on the Might 2024 present for an additional observe, “Standing Subsequent to You.” In the meantime, Golden secured the Prime Okay‑Pop Album award, displaying his means to maneuver information and singles.
15. Earned Asia’s Most Fashionable Male Singer at China’s Huading Awards
With practically 20 years of ceremonies beneath its belt, the Huading Awards in China acknowledge each native and worldwide expertise. Jung Kook earned the title of Asia’s Most Fashionable Male Singer as the one Okay-pop soloist reportedly acknowledged on the occasion in yet one more show of his energy and recognition abroad.
16. Scored a Tremendous Bowl Halftime Visitor Invitation
Throughout an October 2024 New Yorker characteristic about HYBE and its founder, Bang Si Hyuk, Usher belatedly disclosed that he invited Jung Kook to carry out their remixed model of “Standing Subsequent to You” on the Tremendous Bowl LVIII Halftime Present that previous February — a slot missed solely attributable to service duties however exhibits the immense phases for which the world considers JK prepared.
17. Gained Finest Okay‑Pop Report at Asia Artist Awards
His first solo nomination for AAA culminated in a win for Finest Okay‑Pop Report on the December 27, 2024 present, solidifying Jung Kook and his Golden period as each crucial and fan favorites.
18. Rallied “Seven” to No. 1 on Billboard Prime TV Songs Chart
After Netflix’s hit sequence XO, Kitty returned on January 16, 2025, and its soundtrack took over Billboard’s Prime TV Songs chart, led by Jung Kook’s “Seven,” which appeared within the season finale episode. With rankings based mostly on tune and present information blended with gross sales and streaming info for the month, “Seven” earned a further 12.5 million streams within the U.S., serving to it get away amongst different songs synced and soundtracking different fashionable packages like Severance, Excessive Potential, The Recruit and Landman.
19. Donated 1 Billion Korean Gained to Wildfire Reduction & Firefighter Help
To do his half as South Korea battled wildfires in March 2025, Jung Kook gifted 1 billion in Korean received (greater than $733,680) to the Hope Bridge Korea Catastrophe Reduction Affiliation to separate equally between emergency assist for wildfire victims and acts to enhance firefighters’ working circumstances showcasing his pockets are deep for generosity and social duty.
20. Doubled the Nods for Him & His Collaborators on the BMI Pop Awards
Proving his constant recognition, two Jung Kook tracks have been named the Most Carried out Songs of the Yr on the 2025 BMI Pop Awards in Los Angeles on Might 13, 2025. JK and his collaborators like BloodPop and Dave Stewart (who labored on “3D” that includes Jack Harlow), in addition to Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi (for “Standing Subsequent to You”), have been all acknowledged as a part of honors for the songs which have obtained essentially the most performances and performs throughout terrestrial radio, satellite tv for pc radio, and digital streaming providers over the previous yr. Previously, “Seven” was honored on the awards in 2024, whereas 2023 noticed “Left and Proper” with Charlie Puth honored. Nonetheless, 2025 was the primary time Staff Golden Maknae obtained double the popularity.
Bonus: Had His Followers Acknowledged for the U.Okay.’s International Awards
With winners voted by British radio listeners, the International Awards happened on-air via the U.Okay.’s greatest radio stations, together with Capital FM, Capital XTRA, Coronary heart FM, Radio X, and Easy Radio. Jung Kook and his fanbase have been named the winner within the Finest Followers class, highlighting the dedication of ARMY throughout the UK.
So, this twenty first accomplishment is for Jung Kook and also you, ARMY! Cheers!
