Global pop star Jung Kook of BTS has released his debut solo album Golden along with a music video. Golden takes its inspiration from Jung Kook’s golden moments as a solo artist. The album consists of a total of 11 tracks, including the title track “Standing Next to You”, the lead single “Seven (feat. Latto)” in clean and clear versions, and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)”, in clean and clear versions. As well as new songs “Closer to You (featuring Major Lazer)”, “Yes or No”, “Please Don’t Change (featuring DJ Snake)”, “Hate You”, “Somebody”, “Too Sad to Dance » and “Shot Glass of Tears”. Through the sequence of songs, Jung Kook expresses the flow of emotions that come after a change in relationships. The first half of the album features light-hearted songs that depict someone falling in love. while the second half features heavier songs that deal with post-breakup feelings.
Jung Kook, known as BTS’s “Golden Maknae” (“Golden Youngest” in Korean), traces his evolution from his young but golden debut at the beginning of his career to today’s global pop star through the album. Is shown. Jung Kook carefully crafted the album with a variety of styles that reflected his wide musical spectrum and versatility, and he was fully committed to the entire album creation process. Additionally, Jung Kook joined hands with world-renowned musicians to produce the album. Great producers like Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Major Lazer and Bloodpop, David Stewart and others who joined him on the album. The album also features stellar collaborations. With “Seven (feat. Lato)” and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)”, Major Lazer, DJ Snake and other successful musicians make the songs even more sonically entertaining.
The title track, “Standing Next to You” is a retro funk track that showcases Jung Kook’s groovy vocals. The song conveys the message that “Because our love is deeper than anything, we will always be together, no matter what adversity comes our way.” The wind instruments, pounding percussion, and Jung Kook’s powerful voice come together to add an infectious and explosive energy to the song. Grammy Award-winning producers Andrew Watt and Cirkut, who previously worked on “Seven (feat. Latto)”, have teamed up again with Jung Kook to produce the track. The music video teaser of the title track, released on November 2, featured an excerpt of the choreography and was received with great anticipation. The title track performance marks the pinnacle of Jung Kook’s stage presence and showcases his upward trajectory as a global pop star.
The music video for the title track has a unique cinematic aesthetic. Captured with cinematic techniques, Jung Kook’s performance unfolds with a singular beauty in a dramatic world, offering a variety of visually arresting moments. Film director Tanu Muino, who won “Video of the Year” at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards for Lil Nas X’s “Montero”, directed the music video.
The video, filmed in Budapest, Hungary, begins with Jung Kook approaching a mysterious woman he meets on the street. The video cuts to a scene of Jung Kook running after the woman through a tunnel, and the song conveys the message of always being with your loved one. The following dance sequences with the dancers taking place at various locations present a visually mesmerizing performance. Jung Kook, with his charismatic aura, turns any setting, such as a tunnel or a circular dome, into a stage. The scene, in which he performs in a space reminiscent of an old theatre, shows the soloist’s versatile stage presence. The video ends with Jung Kook coming off the stage and walking towards the woman until he is standing in front of her with an aura of confidence.
Following the release of the new album, Jung Kook will appear on the Today Show’s CityConcert series on November 8 and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 6.
Golden is now available on all streaming platforms in the world.