20 Accomplishments By BTS' Jung Kook During Mandatory Military Service

Forbes

20 hours ago

Jung Kook's managing to make his official solo debut and enlist for his mandatory South Korean military service within six months was already a testament to his ability to conquer and succeed quickly. However, the last 18 months during his conscription showed how much the youngest BTS member could accomplish even while serving his country.
As one of the best examples in showing that enlistment can coexist with superstardom, his enlistment beginning on December 12, 2023, and his discharge on June 11, 2025, allowed him not only to maintain but arguably elevate his career. Along with releasing new music, topping charts, winning prestigious awards, and giving back to his community, here's a chronological look at 20 of his standout milestones from his time away.
When the world's biggest streaming service revealed their year-end numbers, Jung Kook's massive solo single 'Seven' featuring Latto showed its lasting impact as the No. 4 top global song of 2023, only behind Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers,' SZA's 'Kill Bill' and 'As It Was' by Harry Styles. The achievement made him the only K-pop artist to land on any of Spotify's year-end global or U.S. lists.
The massive audience for 'Seven' hasn't slowed down either. As Jung Kook completed his service, 'Seven' remains in the top 100 most-streamed songs of all time on Spotify, with 2.39 billion streams at press time.
In the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry's global music report that looks at music sales and activity across the entire world, Jung Kook's 'Seven' landed at Number 10 on the IFPI Global Single Chart for 2023 making it the 10th biggest song in the world for the year — even with its July 2023 release.
Earning the achievement with his official debut single showed how Jung Kook the Soloists had truly arrived.
Recognized for his growing discography, Jung Kook joined the Korea Music Copyright Association as a regular member, following in the footsteps of his BTS band mates like Suga, RM and J‑Hope on January 31, 2024. Established in 1964, KOMCA protects the rights of music creators in South Korea, with members requiring a significant body of work for acceptance in the club.
Jung Kook delivered a massive moment for representation by snagging the win for Male Artist of the Year at the 2024 People's Choice Awards. Not only did JK beat out big names like Drake, The Weeknd and Bad Bunny, but won as the first-ever Asian artist to win the award at the February 18, 2024 ceremony in Santa Monica. The people have spoken, indeed!
On February 29, 2024, Billboard unveiled its inaugural K-Pop Artist 100 list, ranking the biggest K-pop artists and groups in America. Based on artist activity on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, and Billboard Boxscore touring data from January 2023 through December 2023, his Number One position only further underscored Jung Kook's undeniable dominance in the U.S.
The Recording Industry Association of Japan hosted its 2024 awards ceremony, which honors top artists locally, globally, and in Asia. After Jung Kook took home the Song of the Year by Streaming – Western award at the 2023 Japan Gold Disc Awards for 'Left and Right' with Charlie Puth, Jung Kook earned yet another SOTY at the March 2024 ceremony. 'Seven' with Latto nabbed Song of the Year by Download – Asia, cementing his impact on Japan's lucrative music market.
No joke: The iHeartRadio Music Awards may have taken place on April Fool's Day 2024, but Jung Kook's win as K‑Pop Artist of the Year showed how serious fans and radio were supporting him in the wake of his hugely successful Golden era.
Marking another cross‑border triumph for his debut solo smash, 'Seven' with Latto earned the Song of the Year award at the first-ever Asia Star Entertainer Awards that took place in Yokohama, Japan, on April 10, 2024.
As part of BTS's 11th‑anniversary 'FESTA' celebrations, the group's BIGHIT MUSIC shared an unreleased Jung Kook song, 'Never Let Go,' on June 7, 2024, marking his first solo output while serving. ARMY turned the upbeat thank‑you song for fans into a gift for JK himself when it became his seventh song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, giving him a new record as the K-pop soloist with the most entries on the U.S.-based singles chart.
From August 8 through September 19, 2024, Jung Kook and his BTS band mate Jimin co‑starred in the eight‑episode travel reality show Are You Sure?! that streamed on Disney+ for the guys' first summer away from fans. The series allows the guys to get outside and showcase their sense of adventure and camaraderie. The duo even got nominated in the 'Favorite On Screen' category at the 2025 iHeartRadio Awards alongside other music stars' streaming hits like Taylor Swift's The Era's Tour (Taylor's Version), Demi Lovato's Child Star and Megan Thee Stallion's In Her Own Words.
Beginning September 18, 2024, Jung Kook's I Am Still documentary began showing in cinemas worldwide in 120 different territories. The film chronicled his solo era around his 2023 Golden album, offering an intimate look at his artistic evolution while reinforcing his cinematic appeal.
Due to overwhelming fan demand for I Am Still, HYBE, in collaboration with the doc's distributor, Trafalgar Releasing, announced that 'Party Edition' screenings would be coming to theaters, featuring an additional 20 minutes of singalong videos.
On May 1, 2024, the star was honored as part of the Gold House A100 List as one of 100 Asian Pacific figures shaping American culture. Jung Kook's influence extended beyond music to have a broader societal impact.
In particular, Gold House noted how Jung Kook being 'the first Asian to win 'Male Artist of the Year' at the People's Choice Awards' was one of the year's primary examples of Asian Pacific-led creativity breaking records in entertainment. That year, fellow honorees included Steve Aoki, Charli XCX, and Alan Chikin Chow, with a judging panel that included legendary journalist Lisa Ling, actor Daniel Dae Kim, and chart-topping music group Far East Movement.
After previously taking home the Top Global K‑Pop Song at last year's awards for 'Seven,' Jung Kook snagged the honor for a second time at the May 2024 show for another track, 'Standing Next to You.' Meanwhile, Golden secured the Top K‑Pop Album award, showing his ability to move records and singles.
With nearly 20 years of ceremonies under its belt, the Huading Awards in China recognize both local and international talent. Jung Kook earned the title of Asia's Most Popular Male Singer as the only K-pop soloist reportedly recognized at the event in yet another display of his power and popularity overseas.
During an October 2024 New Yorker feature about HYBE and its founder, Bang Si Hyuk, Usher belatedly disclosed that he invited Jung Kook to perform their remixed version of 'Standing Next to You' at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show that past February — a slot missed only due to service duties but shows the immense stages for which the world considers JK ready.
With winners voted by British radio listeners, the Global Awards took place on-air through the U.K.'s biggest radio stations, including Capital FM, Capital XTRA, Heart FM, Radio X, and Smooth Radio. Jung Kook and his fanbase were named the winner in the Best Fans category, highlighting the dedication of ARMY across the United Kingdom.
His first solo nomination for AAA culminated in a win for Best K‑Pop Record at the December 27, 2024 show, solidifying Jung Kook and his Golden era as both critical and fan favorites.
After Netflix's hit series XO, Kitty returned on January 16, 2025, and its soundtrack took over Billboard's Top TV Songs chart, led by Jung Kook's 'Seven,' which appeared in the season finale episode. With rankings based on song and show data blended with sales and streaming information for the month, 'Seven' earned an additional 12.5 million streams in the U.S., helping it break out among other songs synced and soundtracking other popular programs like Severance, High Potential, The Recruit and Landman.
To do his part as South Korea battled wildfires in March 2025, Jung Kook gifted 1 billion in Korean won (more than $733,680) to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to split equally between emergency aid for wildfire victims and acts to improve firefighters' working conditions showcasing his pockets are deep for generosity and social responsibility.
Proving his consistent popularity, two Jung Kook tracks were named the Most Performed Songs of the Year at the 2025 BMI Pop Awards in Los Angeles on May 13, 2025. JK and his collaborators like BloodPop and Dave Stewart (who worked on '3D' featuring Jack Harlow), as well as Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi (for 'Standing Next to You'), were all recognized as part of honors for the songs that have received the most performances and plays across terrestrial radio, satellite radio, and digital streaming services over the past year. In the past, 'Seven' was honored at the awards in 2024, while 2023 saw 'Left and Right' with Charlie Puth honored. However, 2025 was the first time Team Golden Maknae received double the recognition.