Jung Kook, the youngest member of the K-pop group BTS, released his triumphant debut solo album on Friday. The heavily Anglophonic “Golden,” a reference to his nickname of “the golden maknae,” (“golden youngest” in Korean), is one of the strongest pop debuts of the year, a direct reflection of his love of retro-pop sounds.
There was a period this summer where Jung Kook’s single with Latto, “Seven,” was inescapable; a sunshine-y UK garage number counting down all the days of the week in which he’ll love you, girl — or maybe he’d do something else, depending on whether you’re listening to the clean or explicit version of the track.
It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Jung Kook only the second member of BTS — after Jimin — to reach that height as a solo artist. A “golden” artist indeed.
The hook on “Seven” is undeniable, one of many on “Golden.” Across this release, Jung Kook demonstrates a deep understanding of pop performance — and how, in the modern era, that requires innovative collaborations, heavily featured throughout his solo album.
Ed Sheeran plays guitar on “Yes or No”; Shawn Mendes co-wrote the piano ballad “Hate You.” Major Lazer is featured on the breathy-bass banger “Closer to You” and DJ Snake is on the Bieber-esq. dance-pop “Please Don’t Change.” Rapper Jack Harlow is on the single “3D,” which hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
At the time, JT’s musical talent was undeniable, and he was largely considered one of the greatest pop performers of recent history — and make no mistake, that’s the only JT tradition Jung Kook appears to be pulling from. (Well, that, and finding incredible success as a soloist separate from the group that made him an idol. But BTS is taking a break, while NSYNC broke up for two decades.)
The greatest song, however, is the latest single: the funky, Michael Jackson-channeling “Standing Next to You” may very well be one of the year’s most addictive pop singles.
And even then, it is one of many no-skip songs on “Golden,” an album of pop bliss.
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This story has been updated to correct that Jimin had a No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist.
