The k-pop idol thanked his fans for showing up so early in the morning after they packed the streets for several blocks.
BTS‘ Jung Kook took his solo act to the Today Show on Wednesday morning (Nov. 8), stopping traffic all around the plaza outside the show’s New York studios for a live performance of songs form his just-released debut solo album, Golden. The program’s hosts said JK drew one of the biggest crowds they’ve ever had, just short of the massive 15,000 who turned out for Karol G in July. And, in keeping with ARMY’s dedication to the K-pop superstar’s members, some in the crowd had begun queueing up for the morning gig on Monday to secure a good spot.
After getting a personal walk-on to the Citi stage from show co-host Hoda Kotb — who noted that ARMY had packed the streets outside the Today studio from 48th Street to 51st — Savannah Guthrie showed off the look of the day: a signature pink Cooky headband spotted on many in the crowd who were shouting “JK! JK!” in anticipation.
Wearing a sparkly jacket over a black shirt and matching pants Jung Kook made his debut on the Today stage with a live band for a spirited run through is Jack Harlow collaboration “3D” to a sea of uplifted cell phones as the rapper’s pre-recorded verse was enthusiastically shouted back to JK by the largely female audience.
The singer also shouted out the audience saying, “thank you so much for coming early in the morning, you are the best.” He then wished them a “Golden day” before dipping into the uptempo rock-edged track “Standing Next to You,” which opened with a flourish of rocking guitar and crashing drums before dipping into the singer’s sky-high falsetto verses. At one point, JK moved to a thrust stage in the middle of the crowd and pulled off a series of impressive dance moves as ARMY members shouted and held out their hands to get a high five from their pop idol.
After losing a ring during the slaps, Jung Kook exchanged “I Love you”‘s with a crying girl in the crowd celebrating her 10th birthday and offering her a happy birthday greeting before returning for his third song, “Seven,” the smash Latto collab that recently became the fastest song to reach 1 billion Spotify streams.
Check out video of the performances below.
when jung kook puts his mic down u know he’s about to eat it up some more!!!!!! #JungKookOnTODAY #citiconcertseries #BTS @BTS_bighit pic.twitter.com/ITsIvwRPy9
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 8, 2023
stop, this sweet moment of a 10-year-old fan and jung kook 😭😭😭 the best birthday present!! 🥺💜
(and yeah we’re crying too) #JungKookOnTODAY #citiconcertseries #BTS @BTS_bighit pic.twitter.com/45crv6znzU
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 8, 2023
TELL THEM HE FOREVER SLAY!
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU JUNGKOOK#JungKookOnTODAY https://t.co/Oynnnw3Nuu
— BTS Charts Daily (@btschartsdailyc) November 8, 2023