Jungkook’s Golden B-Sides
Jungkook of BTS made his official solo debut on July 14 with the release of a brand new single. “Seven” shows how much the youngest member has grown since the group’s debut in 2013. To commemorate his achievements over the last ten years, let’s take a look back at some of his best B-side tracks.
“Begin”
BTS released their second full-length album, Wings, in October of 2016. This album marked the first time that all seven members recorded and performed a solo song. Jungkook was just 19-years-old at the time, but “Begin” clearly shows how much he grew in the three years since their debut. It tells the story of Jungkook’s experiences as the youngest of BTS, and his only true hardship: seeing his older "brothers" in pain. RM once shared the story behind “Begin” in a livestream, saying, “Jungkook said nothing was difficult for him […] I remember he said, ‘I don’t care about other things. I just don’t want you to be in pain. Then I won’t be in pain.’” And thus, his first solo song was created. In live performances of “Begin” during The Wings Tour, Jungkook showed how he earned the nickname "the golden maknae" with stable vocals and expert footwork.
“Euphoria”
Jungkook’s second solo song, “Euphoria,” is the opening track from BTS’s repackaged album, Love Yourself 結 ‘Answer.’ It’s a feel-good pop song with descriptive lyrics about experiencing an overwhelming sense of genuine happiness. Jungkook starts off soft, almost like a whispered promise, before his voice builds and soars over the glimmering track. You can’t help but smile along as he sings the key line, “Take my hands now / You are the cause of my euphoria.” It’s well-loved among ARMY, and perhaps Jungkook’s most famous solo track. During the group’s Speak Yourself world tour, Jungkook flew high over the crowd and serenaded fans with the song’s heartfelt lyrics and his angelic voice, providing a moment of true euphoria for everyone lucky enough to witness it live.
“My Time”
“My Time” is Jungkook’s most recent solo from a BTS album. It was released in 2020 as a part of the band’s fourth full-length album, Map of the Soul: 7. “My Time” is a contemporary R&B track with honest lyrics about Jungkook’s life from joining BigHit Entertainment as a trainee in 2011 to becoming one of the world’s biggest pop stars as an adult. He reminisces on his lost childhood, questioning if this fast-paced life will ever slow down. Jungkook sings with passion while showing off his talent for perfectly placed vocal riffs and ad-libs. He performed “My Time” live for the first time during BTS’s online concert, MOTS: ONE. From the expert styling to the energetic performance and detailed choreography, it is clear that Jeon Jungkook was born to be an idol.