Jung Kook of BTS biography: from Seven to the Arirang comeback

In 2023, a single release was enough to make Jung Kook the first South Korean soloist to top Billboard's Hot 100, Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. at the same time. Jungkook de BTS, the youngest of the septet, went from being the boy from Busan who failed a television audition to being one of the most successful voices of his generation. Three years after that milestone, and with military service completed, he is part of Arirang and of BTS' world tour in 2026. This is his story, with verified facts.

Who is Jung Kook?

Jung Kook, whose real name is Jeon Jung-kook, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and dancer born on September 1, 1997 in Busan. He is the youngest member of BTS, the group he debuted with in 2013, and as a soloist he reached number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 with “Seven” (2023). In 2026 he is back with BTS after completing military service in June 2025.

Jung Kook's personal details

Jung Kook's childhood and early years

Jung Kook was born in Busan and grew up with his parents and an older brother. He studied at the Baekyang schools in Busan and moved to Singu secondary school in Seoul when he became a trainee. He graduated in 2017 from the School of Performing Arts Seoul and in March 2022 obtained a degree from Global Cyber University in Broadcasting and Entertainment, with the President's Award, according to Wikipedia.

His entry into the music world comes with a well-known anecdote: in 2011 he auditioned for the show Superstar K in Daegu and was not selected. Even so, he received offers from seven agencies and chose Big Hit Entertainment after seeing RM perform. In the summer of 2012 he travelled to Los Angeles to train in dance, and in 2013 he debuted with BTS.

Jung Kook's professional career

Within BTS, Jung Kook added solo songs on almost all of the group's records. After 2022 he began building a career of his own with an international pop profile. Verified milestones:

• 2013: Debuts with BTS on June 13 with “2 Cool 4 Skool”.
• 2018: Receives, with the rest of the group, the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit.
• 2021: Is named Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, alongside his bandmates.
• 2022: Releases “Left and Right” with Charlie Puth (number 22 on the Hot 100) and sings “Dreamers”, the official song of the Qatar World Cup, at the opening ceremony. He was the first Korean artist to perform the official song and appear at that ceremony.
• 2023: “Seven” (with Latto) debuts at number 1 on the Hot 100, the Global 200 and the Global Excl. U.S.
• 2023: Releases Golden (November 3), which debuts at number 2 on the Billboard 200 with 2.4 million copies in its first week, according to Wikipedia.
• 2026: Returns with BTS on Arirang and the world tour.

“Seven” was also the fastest song to reach a billion plays on Spotify, a Guinness record. “3D”, with Jack Harlow, debuted at number five on the Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, and with “Too Much” (alongside The Kid Laroi and Central Cee) he added his third UK top 10, something unprecedented for a South Korean soloist.

Jung Kook's standout works, shows and projects

In 2024, during military service, he released “Never Let Go” on June 7 for the group's 11th anniversary.

Military service and return with BTS

Jung Kook enlisted on December 12, 2023, alongside Jimin, and was discharged on June 11, 2025. After his discharge he posted “WE ARE BACK” on Instagram with a photo of himself and his bandmate in uniform, according to Rolling Stone. Although rumours of a solo tour circulated, it did not happen: he rejoined the group directly.

On March 20, 2026 BTS released Arirang, with 14 songs and “Swim” as the lead single. According to Billboard and other outlets, the record debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with 641,000 units, the best debut for a group album since Billboard started measuring units in 2014. To get to know the rest of his bandmates, visit the BTS biography on Famosix.

Jung Kook's personal life

Jung Kook keeps his private life out of the spotlight. What is public and relevant has to do with his generosity: in April 2023 he donated one billion won to Seoul National University Children's Hospital and in March 2025 another billion to Hope Bridge Korea, split between emergency aid for wildfires and support for firefighters, the largest donation by a celebrity in response to a disaster in South Korea, according to Wikipedia.

Jung Kook trivia

• He was not selected on Superstar K in 2011, but seven agencies offered him a contract.
• He chose Big Hit after seeing RM in action, a decision that changed his career.
• He is the artist who topped the inaugural Billboard K-Pop Artist 100 chart, according to Wikipedia.
• He is known as the “Sold Out King”: products he uses in public, such as shoes, fabric softener or books, tend to sell out.
• He is the first Korean artist to sing the official song of a World Cup and perform at its opening ceremony (Qatar 2022).
• His ambassadorships include Calvin Klein (since 2023), Chanel Beauty (late 2025), Hublot (February 2026) and Graff (July 2026), the first global ambassadorship in that jeweller's 66 years.
• He graduated from Global Cyber University with the President's Award.

Jung Kook in 2026

2026 is the year of the reunion: Arirang (March 20) and the world tour that started on April 9 in Goyang, with 79 shows in 34 regions through to March 2027, including BTS' first stops in Argentina, Peru and Colombia. Lima gets three concerts on October 7, 9 and 10 at the Estadio San Marcos, with tickets sold out.

On the commercial side, he was named global ambassador for Hublot in February and for Graff on July 2. There is no solo tour or new album confirmed. Also check out the BTS biography and those of other international figures on Famosix.

Sources consulted

• Wikipedia: Jungkook
• Rolling Stone: BTS’ Jungkook and Jimin Discharged from Korean Military After RM and V
• Rolling Stone: Jimin and Jung Kook Reunite in Switzerland in ‘Are You Sure?!’ Season 2 Premiere
• Kpopbio: BTS in 2026, Comeback, Tour & Latest Updates
• Gulf News: BTS makes history with double No. 1s on Billboard charts
• Newswav: V reveals hearing loss as Jungkook battles painful shin injury
• Her World: BTS’ Jung Kook appointed as new ambassador for Graff
• Caretas: BTS en Perú: grupo surcoreano hace historia al agotar entradas para sus tres conciertos en Lima

Conclusion

Jung Kook went from a failed audition to topping the Hot 100 and singing at a World Cup opening, and in 2026 he is back on the scene with BTS. We will keep updating this biography with every new development. In the meantime, get to know the full group in the BTS biography and explore more international figures here on Famosix.