Apple Music's first live interview was conducted in Korea

Jungkook “I was greatly influenced by the rapper line in my solo activities”

Source: Apple Music

[The Fact| Reporter Gong Mina] Jungkook, a member of the group BTS, after starting his career with the solo album 'GOLDEN', is expected to continue working as a full group in 2025.

In an interview released by Apple Music on the 10th, Jungkook mentioned future activities as a complete group and said, "I think the synergy of BTS in 2025 will be very big." This interview was conducted with Zane Lowe, global creative director of Apple Music, at Hype headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul. During the interview, Jungkook honestly confessed about moments from the group's early days as the youngest member of BTS, his activities as a solo artist, his thoughts on collaborations with other artists, a platform to write honest lyrics, and a great experience at live performances.

The following is a Q&A from the interview between Jungkook and Jane Rowe.

- What did you learn from your hyungs in the group as Jungkook, the youngest member?

I think I definitely have the privilege of being the youngest. I think I received a lot of help from you guys without knowing it. You guys are all very good people so I think I learned a lot from them. With the help of six members, I was able to grow into what I am today.

- Do you want to look back at the early days of your activities?

I can't say we were that cool back then. Of course, in my opinion, you guys (the other members) are really cool, but to be honest, I still have trouble watching videos from when they first debuted and a few years later. Thinking back on that time I feel a bit sad. I wonder what it would be like if I were someone with the feelings I have now. If it weren't for that moment, I wonder, 'Would BTS be what they are today?' Because back then we had memories of ups and downs back then. And now when I think back we were able to achieve our current results thanks to the process of being plagued by shortcomings in thinking that we went through together.

Source: Apple Music

- How did you decide to pursue solo activities?

First of all, the three guys in the rapper line: RM, Sugar and J-Hope are the biggest influences on me. Because the three older brothers uploaded their own creative works in their free time after debut, the vocal members were also motivated a lot from then on. So we released a cover song, a fan song, and a holiday song. That way, I think by being with you guys observing, I also gradually become more natural with music. I just heard ‘Seven’ and thought I definitely have to do this song. My three older brothers certainly had a great influence on me.

-Tell us about your solo and collaborative activities.

I like working alone and I also like collaborating with others. To be honest, I feel more pressure when working collaboratively with others. Since the song wouldn't be my own, I didn't want to cause trouble and so I was even more nervous, and when filming the MV for 'TOO MUCH', I felt even more pressured because there were other artists involved. .

-What was the best thing about the production of the album ‘GOLDEN’?

It's great to be able to sing a song with lyrics from many different genres and themes. Since I have been a member of the group so far and have mainly sung fan songs and personal songs, the whole process of performing so many songs like this is overall very enjoyable. The recording process while working closely with a foreign producer abroad was also very interesting and I also felt extremely satisfied when I finished the song. The process itself was amazing.

- What are your feelings when performing live?

It was a feeling that couldn't be expressed in words, but it felt like all the good words in the world had been gathered together. “Is that heaven?” It was a great feeling and I think it was a really happy feeling to sing as a singer in that space with the people who supported me. I'm so happy it gives me goosebumps.

Source: Apple Music

-Why did you choose ‘Standing Next to You’ as your favorite song on the album and why do you want fans to hear it as loud as possible?

Of course, the song is great, but first I found it great to see myself performing on stage with that song. So I chose it because I think this is the song that best fits the title of this album. The song holds a very special place in my heart because the recording process was very difficult. One thing I want to say to ARMY (BTS fans) is that I recommend you listen to ‘Standing Next to You’ with speakers instead of headphones or smartphones and turn up the volume really loud when listening to it.

-Please tell us about the release of ‘Seven’.

When we released ‘Seven’ and even before it was released, we had great self-confidence and expectations. However, instead of setting a new record with this song, when I release a song I like, I focus on the question 'Will people sympathize with it?' 'Is a song I listen to really good, and is the song I like a good song that suits other people's tastes?'

-What kind of year do you think 2025 will be?

According to a Korean proverb, I don't think 2025 is a distant future. While preparing to become a solo artist and work as a solo musician, there was a moment when I really missed my members. Whenever I'm in the waiting room, standing alone on stage, or having a meal with the staff, I can clearly feel the absence of the members who have been with me all these years and that's true. That made me think a lot. So 2025 seems far away but I never thought of it that way and I think the synergy between BTS in 2025 will be huge. I'm really looking forward to seeing that.

-Tell us about your special relationship with ARMY.

Just like there is a Korean proverb that says “Follow your friends to Gangnam”, I don't know who I will follow between BTS and ARMY. Whether BTS follows ARMY or ARMY follows BTS, the most special thing is that they have a special bond and rely on each other. Furthermore, I want to show my true self and always want to have a sincere and comfortable conversation with ARMY. In fact, each singer will have their own way to pursue their fans. Of course, I'll stick to that line. I will be polite to my fans, but I still feel like we have a relationship as friends where I can tell anything.

- What kind of person is Jungkook to pay attention to this moment?

Try not to get caught up in the past. I don't like being in one place, whether it's a place, a memory, or a mistake I've made. I hate living in the past so I always try to focus on the present. When it comes to the future, instead of thinking about the future, focus on the present. That's the way I do it. However, this doesn't mean you can erase what happened, but make sure you recognize and acknowledge it before moving on to the next step. I think I can continue to think, evaluate and move forward through this process. I think it's stupid to be tied to the past. My motto in life is to regret what you regret, admit what you must admit, and move forward.

-What are BTS and Jungkook most proud of?

The first thing I think of is not myself but ARMY. It's not my family, it's not the BTS members, it's ARMY. So, as Jungkook of BTS, he seems to be thinking more about what to do with ARMY. Instead of personal goals, I choose to set my own goals as fan-based, all thanks to the fans and enjoying the process of achieving that goal is an achievement in itself. The order doesn't change for me.

-What are Jungkook's childhood memories of music?

First of all, when I was young, I wasn't much of a music person. When I started this career (as a singer), I gradually got better and when I heard the song 'The Most Beautiful Moment' in our album, I think I felt an emotion. novel because of the good results from a musician's perspective. From then on I found more and better music and wanted to do more.