With BTS Jungkook’s successful release of his solo album, GOLDEN, he has been the talk of the town throughout the music industry. Previously, the popular South Korean music critic site IZM posted a review that sparked debate online. Most recently, music critic Kim Yun Ha posted a review of Jungkook’s album and received praise from fans and netizens.
After listening to the title track, “Standing Next To You,” Kim’s first thought was, “he really put his all into this.” This song, which once again teamed up with producer Andrew Watt, who created “Seven,” which gave Jungkook his first No.1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, has no intention of hiding his overflowing ambition from the start.
Jungkook’s ambition, with music as his first priority, is further concreted through music videos and albums. In the music video, Jungkook is not shaken by any situation. The album, though, is a bit more sincere.
From Michael Jackson to The Weeknd, numerous pop icons will appear alternately depending on the age or listening history of the person listening to the album. Just as Craig David and Justin Timberlake, who were at their peak in the early 20th century, were summoned with ‘Seven’ and ‘3D’ released before the album’s release. The album is evenly distributed with various elements that have captivated the past, present, and current pop scene at least once.
From trendy and exotic sounds, including reggaeton and Afrobeat, to neat pop powered by addictive guitar riffs to earnest pop ballads drawn from deep within. Jungkook, who performed all the songs in English, changes into a new outfit with a singing style and voice that matches each time a completely different style of song appears. Just by comparing and listening to the two included songs, ‘Standing Next You’ and ‘Hate You’, you can feel how much effort Jungkook put into the vocals of this album.
— Kim Yun Ha
With these efforts, the greatest achievement he can achieve is not just winning number one on the charts but to establish himself as a young pop star that can be loved by everyone.
As a result of all these actions taken together, the direction of ambition pointed by the album is clearer. This is a declaration that we will show you something completely new in the way you have enjoyed for granted up until now. Now that the goal has been revealed in earnest, the greatest achievement Jungkook can achieve with ‘Golden’ cannot simply be No. 1 on the music charts or winning some award.
Through this album, Jungkook hopes to establish himself as a young pop star and sex symbol that anyone who enjoys pop music can’t help but nod to. No one knows how long it will take, but the starting signal has already been given. Now all that’s left is to move forward. Just like with BTS.
— Kim Yun Ha
Kim can’t wait to see what else will happen in the future for Jungkook!
Jungkook’s challenge like this makes for quite an interesting imagination for those who have watched the growth of K-pop for a long time. This is because at the center of K-pop, which has been welcomed as an alternative to mainstream pop in many ways, an icon was born that inherits the essence of pop from head to toe. As if to faithfully follow the proverb that ‘to catch a tiger, you have to go into the tiger’s den’, Jungkook chose to put on a tiger skin and trample into the den.
In the midst of a music trend where people were treated as strangers due to their unfamiliar language and performances, a ‘young blood’ ambitiously emerged, aiming to take the position of male solo pop star that had remained vacant for a while. I’m just curious what else will happen in the future.
— Kim Yun Ha
Netizens that read the review could not agree more with Kim’s review and analysis of Jungkook’s solo debut!
- “He did a great job introducing himself as a solo artist. Now he should release more albums and hold a tour, then he will be able to solidify his position.”
- “There’s no other solo debut as perfect as this! He is so good.”
- “This was truly a successful solo debut. Jungkook is amazing.”
- “I got goosebumps reading the title of the review. It is the perfect description. My heart is full thinking about just how well he is doing.”
- “His solo debut was great. Now it will be good if he continues showing us what he wants to do.”
- “Yes this is correct.”
Meanwhile, check out his amazing live performance below!
