Despite his massive solo success and a long list of standout moments on BTS songs, Jeon Jung Kook hasn’t quite figured out who he is at 28 years old. “I’m still forming my self-image,” he says. That’s hardly surprising. He’s been with BTS since he was 15 – meaning he’s spent almost half of his life as a global pop star, growing up within the group. He admits that his incredibly smooth tenor has grown stronger, but he’s only gradually gaining confidence in his songwriting abilities – even though he was more involved as a writer on “Arirang” than on his own solo album. In a way, he was the first BTS fan ever: he chose the then-tiny BigHit Music over many other offerings because RM was “really, really cool and great” – and Jung Kook still seems in awe of everything they’ve accomplished together so far.
What did it mean to you to establish yourself as a solo pop star – which you managed to do to a huge extent?
To be honest, I can’t really see myself as a pop star yet. But I’m very grateful that I’m asked this way and that the fans perceive me this way. That’s why I want to keep getting better so that one day I can feel like a star myself. One day!
What would have to happen for you to feel this way?
So, I actually know exactly what I need. I need to get better at English – at least to the point where I can make small talk or have a casual chat. That would be a real breakthrough. But English is so difficult!
Learn English with apps
Duolingo!
From Duolingo to Malhaeboka… I think I’ve tried literally every English learning app. But the most important thing is to stick with it.
Everyone says that your pronunciation is very, very good when you sing – even though you may not feel comfortable speaking.
It’s good that at least that exists.
Do you work through it syllable by syllable, or do you just have a good ear for it?
Yes, I think my hearing is good for something like that. But ultimately…it’s not Korean. It’s a foreign language for me. And I don’t want native speakers to hear me speak their language and feel uncomfortable or reject it in some way. That’s why I personally worked very hard on it.
How did your solo success influence the way you approached the new album – and how the other members interact with you?
I’m just a very carefree and open person, and I don’t worry too much in everyday life unless it’s really necessary. So when it comes to the working process or song selection… I do express myself. I speak up and share my opinions, but I don’t stress about it. Well, I don’t know about the others. I think some of the other members were pretty stressed out, but I just thought it was fun. I enjoyed it! I did what I wanted.
RM said members now have different lifestyles and different boundaries. Can you elaborate on that? What does he mean by that?
Well, all the members come from very different backgrounds. And even since we’ve known each other, everyone moves at their own pace, on their own timeline. In addition, we like different music and also prefer different food. The seven of us are so different, and yet we work together, sing together and perform together. And when we work together, we are of course different. That’s probably why he said that.
It feels like you’ve emerged more as a songwriter on the new album. Were there moments when you felt good about your contributions?
Sure, I felt great. Would I call it pride? I don’t know. But I felt really, really good about it. That was a while ago. We chose the songs and everything, but there’s one thing I’m still thinking about: Why didn’t I do a little more? Two months is a really long time. Couldn’t I have done a little more? I have a lot of things that I regret.
“Hooligan” and its origins
Is there still a moment that stands out? A song that made you feel good?
Well, I worked a lot on “Hooligan.” And that song itself is… I don’t know. When I first heard the track I immediately had the flow in my head. So I got to work and… The track is so unique – maybe I was just lucky – but Hitman Bang and the other members thought it was so fresh and they all loved it. That was a great feeling. And I didn’t know if the song would make it. But he was chosen and that blew me away.
And then writing English lyrics – that’s cool!
Well, I didn’t write everything myself. I had a lot of support.
Her voice sounds stronger than ever. Is this something you continually work on?
Yes. Before the military, after returning and until today. I always do something slowly, like a turtle. Try things.
The ARMY obviously loved your solo work. If I hear one criticism, it’s that they wish you wrote more and that the solo album was very Western – good for some, less so for others. Have you heard that and what do you think of this assessment?
That was simply my decision at the time. I could write more for my next album if that’s what the ARMY wants. But back then I wanted something different. I wanted to find good songs and release an album as quickly as possible. That’s the only reason.
I also think the types of stories I can tell are pretty limited. In the future, when I have a lot to do and a lot to say, it will work itself out, I think.
Your dream – I believe – is something personal. But you’re saying you don’t have anything for them in that regard at the moment?
In fact, I may never have anything. Because I don’t keep memories in my head for long. I forget a lot of things, so… You know how computers have hard drives? I think I don’t have much storage space.
Growing up as an idol
You have been with BTS since a very young age. Her only real break from being an idol may have been a bit during the pandemic and then military service. How does growing up like this affect your self-image?
During the pandemic we have been busy, damn busy. So the only time I was really completely away from music was in the military. And during that time…instead of figuring out my self-image – because I think that’s always changing – what I really felt was: I want to perform so badly. I want to sing. “Augh, I can’t wait to get out of here! I want to go out and dance!” That’s all I thought about.
George Harrison was the youngest member of the Beatles. He felt like he was always treated as a junior member, which frustrated him over time. I wonder if there is a similar issue for you.
No, I love being the youngest. Because even though we are adults now, all my life I was the youngest in my family, the youngest in my group and always the youngest in the entire team at work. I’m so used to it that I’ve always felt very comfortable in a group when I’m the youngest. That’s how I feel now too.
