Jung Kook Prepares for a Pivotal 2026: Rolling Stone UK Cover and New Music on the Horizon
Poised between BTS’s group comeback and his own solo ambitions, Jung Kook faces a defining 2026. Before that chapter begins, he’s opening up in a cover feature for Rolling Stone UK, where he reflects on prioritizing his wellbeing, growing up under intense scrutiny and hinting at upcoming music.
Speaking with the magazine, he explains that he wants to lead creativity rather than be swept along by trends — rejecting constraints and striving to be an artist who forges his own path.
One milestone that propelled his solo evolution was 2023’s hit “Seven” (featuring Latto). The single climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Jung Kook as the second member of BTS to top the chart and underscoring his ability to thrive outside the group context.
He says the success of “Seven” rekindled his enthusiasm for creating: the warm response from ARMY restored his energy and fortified his confidence as a musician.
His most recent solo release, “Never Let Go,” arrived in summer 2024. Since completing his military service in June, Jung Kook has been balancing group plans — a forthcoming BTS album and world tour — with his own creative priorities, indicating solo music is still very much on his agenda.
“This is a time to see whether I can take another leap,” he tells Rolling Stone UK, noting that he’s intentionally experimenting with new styles and performances so he can reveal different sides of himself rather than repeating familiar formulas.
Below: Jung Kook on the cover of Rolling Stone UK.
