BTS’ Jung Kook Unveils Debut Solo LP, ‘Standing Next to You’ Music Video

Emily Zemler
Nov 03, 2023

Jung Kook COURTESY OF HYBE

The time officially come: BTS member Jung Kook has released his debut album, Golden. The singer dropped the LP along with a Tanu Muino-directed music video for “Standing Next to You,” a buoyant pop funk song with a hook-laden chorus. The track was produced by Andrew Watt and Cirkut while the choreography-heavy video was shot in Budapest.

The album has 11 tracks, including “Seven,” which features Latto, “3D,” which features Jack Harlow,” “Closer to You,” which features Major Lazer, and “Please Don’t Change,” which features DJ Snake. Producers and songwriters on the LP include Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Major Lazer, BloodPop, and David Stewart.

A press release notes that “through the order of the tracks, Jung Kook expresses the flow of emotions that follow the changes in relationships. The first half of the album introduces songs with light-hearted melodies portraying someone falling in love, whereas the latter half lays out songs that feel heavier, dealing with emotions following a breakup.”

Jung Kook will promote the LP with performances on the Today Show’s CitiConcert Series on Nov. 6 and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Nov. 8. Jung Kook will stage his first-ever solo concert — not counting festival appearances — when he performs at Seoul, South Korea’s Jangchung Arena on Nov. 20.

In 2021, Jung Kook spoke with Rolling Stone about the work ethic required to become a great artist. “You can only improve in a certain area when you really practice, when you really try, when you deep-dive into it,” he shared, addressing the “golden” label that has been applied to him because of his skillset across mediums. “So I really don’t want to think myself as an all-rounder. I just want to keep trying and working hard. And of course I do feel pressure, but those pressures can also drag me to work hard and do best at what I do.” 

From Rolling Stone US.