Jung Kook is turning Times Square Golden. On Thursday, the BTS member surprised fans in New York City with an impromptu performance on the TSX Stage in Times Square.
After a New Year’s Eve-esque countdown on a large building, Jung Kook took the stage surrounded by dancers on the TSX Stage. “Let’s have fun,” he declared before opening his performance with track “Standing Next to You” as fans could be heard yelling from the crowd.
Combining BTS’ YouTube and an Xbox livestream at one point during the performance, more than 280,000 viewers watched from home.
“This place is amazing. It’s an honor to perform in New York’s Times Square,” Jung Kook told the massive crowd, before playing “Yes Or No.” Fans in New York City were given a 30-minute heads up and ended up packing a large area next to the stage.
“The view is incredible,” Jung Kook said at one point, playing songs like “3D,” “Please Don’t Change,” and “Seven,” his track with Latto. Post Malone previously performed on the stage.
The performance comes a day after the singer performed on the Today Show.
After dropping a couple of loose singles in 2022 — including the World Cup anthem “Dreamers” — Jung Kook began rolling out songs for Golden over the summer. The album itself arrived last Nov. 3, and featured collaborations with Major Lazer and DJ Snake. (On top of all his solo music, Jung Kook also linked up with the Kid Laroi and Central Tee for a new song, “Too Much.”)
On Thursday, he also joined Zane Lowe and spoke about BTS and how he misses his groupmates.
“Preparing as a solo artist and also working as a solo musician… there were times where I really missed [being in the group],” he said. “When I was in the waiting room or standing by myself on stage or eating with the staff. We were always together for so many years that I felt the void of them not being next to me.”
“You know, I miss them. And I was thinking about them. So I suppose that year could seem far away, but I don’t want to think that way,” he added. “I think the synergy of BTS in 2025 will be incredible. I am so looking forward to it.”