Jung Kook’s journey from a member of BTS to an internationally recognized solo artist has been marked by a steady series of musical milestones.

One of the clearest examples came in November 2024, when “Standing Next to You” passed 1 billion streams on Spotify, adding another major achievement to his growing solo career.

From BTS Member to Solo Artist

Jung Kook first became known worldwide through BTS, which debuted in 2013. As one of the group’s vocalists, he developed a strong connection with listeners through both recorded music and live performances. His work with the group also gave him years of experience performing for audiences across different countries and musical markets.

His solo career allowed him to explore a wider range of sounds and present a more individual musical identity. Before releasing his first solo album, he had already appeared on projects outside BTS, including “Left and Right” with Charlie Puth. That collaboration later became another major streaming success, reaching 1 billion Spotify streams in September 2024.

The Breakthrough of Seven

A major turning point came with “Seven,” released in July 2023. The song became Jung Kook’s first solo digital single and quickly established itself as an international pop release. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also made a strong impact on Spotify’s global charts.

“Seven” also became an important streaming milestone. By January 2025, the song had passed 2 billion Spotify streams, making Jung Kook the first K-pop solo artist to reach that level with an individual single.

The achievement showed that his solo audience was not limited to listeners who already followed BTS. The song’s international performance demonstrated his ability to build recognition through his own music.

Standing Next to You Reaches One Billion

Jung Kook continued this momentum with his first solo album, GOLDEN, released in November 2023. The album includes “Seven,” “3D,” “Standing Next to You,” and several other tracks that present different sides of his vocal style.

On November 4, 2024, “Standing Next to You” crossed 1 billion Spotify streams. The milestone came almost exactly one year after its release and became another notable achievement for Jung Kook as a K-pop solo artist.

The song also stands out musically from “Seven.” Rather than relying on the same approach, it uses a retro-influenced pop sound, with Jung Kook’s vocals placed at the center. That difference helped GOLDEN feel like a complete solo project rather than a collection built around one successful single.

A Growing Streaming Legacy

The numbers surrounding Jung Kook’s music continued to develop beyond the original 2024 milestone. By November 2025, “Standing Next to You,” “Left and Right,” “3D,” and “Seven” had each surpassed 1 billion Spotify streams, while “Seven” had exceeded 2.6 billion.

These achievements also clarify an important detail about his discography. “Left and Right” is a collaboration credited to Charlie Puth with Jung Kook, rather than a Jung Kook solo release. Meanwhile, “Seven,” “3D,” and “Standing Next to You” are directly connected to his solo catalog.

Jung Kook’s solo story is therefore not simply about moving away from BTS. It is about building another musical identity while carrying the experience of years spent as part of one of the world’s most recognized groups.

Final Thoughts

Jung Kook’s rise as a solo artist has been shaped by several clear milestones: successful collaborations, major chart performances, the release of GOLDEN, and billions of Spotify streams. “Standing Next to You” became an especially notable moment because it showed that his solo audience could continue growing well beyond the initial success of “Seven.”

His career now includes both a celebrated group history and a substantial individual catalog. As his music continues to reach listeners around the world, his solo work has become an important part of the broader story of his career.