Iconic Jungkook Moments That Altered My Brain Chemistry

Jungkook becomes the sixth BTS member to make an official solo debut with his already-hit single ‘Seven’, building on years of iconic looks and performances.

Jungkook, Calvin Klein

Jungkook of BTS has officially made his solo debut with English single ‘Seven’, in which he sings about having excellent sex with the person he loves seven days a week. It’s catchy. It’s fun. It’s permanently changed my brain chemistry. 

In honour of ‘Seven’, I thought I’d take a look back at some other utterly mind-altering Jungkooks. Here are some of his most iconic moments… 

‘Arirang’ Jungkook

BTS opened KCON France in 2016 with a modern version of Korean folk song ‘Arirang’. The whole performance is amazing and has long been a fan favourite, but it was Jungkook’s part in particular that went viral just this year. Jungkook has an incredible vocal range, and this ‘Arirang’ performance shows off his lower register — something he doesn’t lean into very often. But when he does, well, it’s powerful enough to make everyone lose their minds even seven years later. 

‘Rainism’ Jungkook

Jungkook was still a coconut-haired cutie when he covered Rain’s ‘Rainism’ in 2016, but his incredible execution of the choreography combined with his tongue-in-cheek charisma made for a memorable performance. Looking back on this stage through the lens of a world in which ‘Seven’ exists, ‘Rainism’ Jungkook was rather prophetic. 

Cherry Kook

While Jungkook has experimented a lot with his hair in the past few years, including a variety of hair colours, there was a time he could pretty consistently be relied upon to have brown hair, usually styled in the aforementioned coconut cut. So when he appeared on stage with what the fandom dubbed ‘cherry’ locks for the Lotte Family Concert in 2018, people absolutely exploded. The look was vibrant and fun, and brought a whole new energy to his performances. 

Flying ‘Euphoria’ Jungkook

Jungkook is, obviously, extremely hot, but he’s also sweet, soft, and romantic, and his solo song ‘Euphoria’ perfectly encapsulates this side of him. It’s always a joy to watch him perform it, but never more so than on the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself tour of 2019, when Jungkook, dressed in delicate pinks with pretty makeup and soft hair, would be hooked into an apparatus that allowed him to ‘fly’ over the audience. It was an apt visual representation of the song itself as well as Jungkook’s incredible high notes, but the absolute best part was always Jungkook’s face, and the actual euphoria clearly present there. 

‘Pied Piper’ Jungkook

The most iconic Jungkook of them all — specifically, the ‘Pied Piper’ Jungkook from the 5th Muster concert series in 2019. The tight jeans and billowing shirt made him look like something out of a romance novel, his hair was at its peak length and texture, and his performance was just: ajsncfaibabflfanlaknakjbfolabfkafbkajfbaksbfka. There’s no other way to put it. Sensual, seductive, smooth — we’d all willingly follow ‘Pied Piper’ Jungkook to our doom. 

LDF Family Concert 2019 Jungkook 

Not long after 5th Muster, Jungkook smashed us in the face at the Lotte Family Concert 2019 (something about this event brings out the menace in him). His performance was amazing as always, and this time, wearing a black suit with long-ish wavy dark hair, he looked hot figuratively and literally — he was sweating a lot that day, and his glistening skin and wet hair unlocked a level of feral in fans rarely seen before. 

‘My Time’ Jungkook

‘My Time’ was Jungkook’s first solo after ‘Euphoria’, and it could not have been more different in subject matter, sound, style, and performance. In this way, Jungkook showcased his range and brought out a whole new side of himself. ‘My Time’ is deeply personal and heartbreaking, and the performance of it is fascinating. Overtly sexual, with outfits that, at the time, felt incredibly revealing (especially the cleavage in his red ’fit), it’s mesmerising and sexy, yet also somehow sad. While the costume and choreography might have been attention-grabbing, it was the emotional layers Jungkook brought to the performance that really elevated the whole thing. 

Sowoozoo Jungkook

Coming in 2021, Sowoozoo was the first muster BTS had held since the infamous 5th Muster of 2019, and while it was still unfortunately audience-less, the group set fire to the stage (figuratively this time). Jungkook in particular overflowed with confidence and charm, sporting a variety of instantly-iconic looks — including a shirt that allowed for the official debut of his tattoo sleeve, two years after it initially appeared (‘appeared’) behind blur effects and dish gloves. It felt like the start of a new and more free era. 

Button Escape Jungkook 

The 2022 Permission to Dance tour saw BTS finally able to perform in front of an audience for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and boy did they unleash. Sometimes perhaps more than they planned to — as was the case with Jungkook and his button that just gave up during a ‘Fake Love’ performance. His outfit was already pretty revealing — low-cut and cropped (and complete with knee-high boots, whew) — and when he lost a button from his jacket, the garment was literally hanging on by a thread. It was impossible to look away, but what made the malfunction more fun, and funny, was Jungkook finally giving up trying to fix it and just laughing. Simultaneously hot and adorable — the Jungkook way. 

Calvin Klein Jungkook

BTS’s ‘Chapter Two’ has opened up a whole range of solo endorsement opportunities, and it’s been interesting to see what each member has gravitated towards. That Jungkook would become a Calvin Klein ambassador just felt right — and also dangerous. His campaign saw him rock double denim, boyfriend tees, and, of course, his very own abs — a thrilling combination, especially when set-off by his shaggy, curly hair, styled in a way that gave ‘Pied Piper’ Jungkook a run for his money. 

‘Seven’ Jungkook

We’ve only had ‘Seven’ Jungkook for less than a week, and he is already iconic. Not only breaking records, but gifting us with Jungkook moment after Jungkook moment that will be forever burned into our memories. Special shout-out to Grey Hoodie Laundromat Jungkook, Coffin Jungkook and Wet White Shirt In The Rain Jungkook from the music video — some of my personal faves, encompassing how hot and cheeky he is. Then, of course, there’s the explicit version of the song, which is certainly another new side of Jungkook, just as he promised.

Version Up by Odd Eye Circle: Odd Eye Circle is a three-member girl group formed from a sub-unit of Loona, and this is their first release since signing with new label Modhaus. The six-track EP includes catchy title track ‘Air Force One’ and a bunch of b-side bops.

‘One and Only’ by ENHYPEN: A collaboration with Pokémon, both the song and music video for ‘One and Only’ and bright, bouncy, and cute — with the latter featuring the ENHYPEN members adventuring alongside their fave Pokémon characters. 

‘I Do’ by (G)I-DLE: This is (G)I-DLE’s first fully English single, and it works as a promising teaser for their upcoming English EP HEAT. The juxtaposition of the girl group’s pretty, langourous vocals with an ‘80s synth-influenced track is an addictive mix, and the music video is a cinematic and sweet sci-fi romance. 

ISTJ by NCT Dream: The third full album from this NCT unit, it features titular track ‘ISTJ’, an electrifying ode to dating-by-MBTI profiles, plus nine other songs. My personal fave is anthemic pre-release single ‘Broken Melodies’, although the whole album is a lot of fun. 

Circling back to Jungkook’s ‘Seven’ (honestly, the chorus accurately describes just how much of my brainspace it’s been taking up); it goes without saying that it’s one hell of a sexy song. It got me thinking about other sexy K-Pop songs (and NOTHING ELSE, ahem). So here are some must-adds to any sexy playlist…

‘Move’ by Taemin: A lot of Taemin’s music could be included on this list, but this track is particularly sexy. Its sensual lyrics are exquisitely delivered in Taemin’s trademark textured voice, and the gender-blurring, boundary-pushing choreography turns the whole thing up by about 100. 

‘Layin’ Low (feat. Jooyoung)’ by HYOLYN: ‘Layin’ Low’ is both sultry and impactful, showing off HYOLYN’s powerful vocals and athletic — and sexy — choreography. The song explores a passion so hot it burns, and the music video more than delivers on that vibe. 

‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’ by BTS: With lyrics and visuals that explore seduction, temptation, passion, and how dangerous all three can be, ‘Blood Sweat & Tears’ is one of BTS’ most significant, not to mention sexy, tracks. 

‘Body Rhythm’ by SHINee: The title says it all. Yes, SHINee, we WILL follow your body rhythm — gladly, willingly, enthusiastically, over and over again. Ahem. 

‘Monster’ by Irene & Seulgi: ‘Monster’ is less a seduction than a domination, with the powerhouse vocals and chemistry of Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi coming together to create something special. 

‘Open Mind’ by Wonho: Wonho’s whole brand is basically thirst traps, so it would be wrong to do a list like this and not include him. ‘Open Mind’ allows him to lean into his sexy, suggestive energy (and rock-hard body) in the most effective and alluring way.

‘Closer (with Paul Blanco & Mahalia)’ by RM: I could make a whole list of sexy tracks RM has been involved in, from his pre-debut days to now, but I’ll restrain myself (please appreciate just how much restraint this takes). ‘Closer’ off RM’s official debut album is both sexual and sensual — and also low-key heartbreaking. Sad and horny — the vibe of the age.

With love,

Jenna