Jung Kook, the youngest member of the K-pop group BTS, released his triumphant debut solo album on Friday. The heavily Anglophonic "Golden," a reference to his nickname of "the golden maknae," ("golden youngest" in Korean), is one of the strongest pop debuts of the year, a direct reflection of his love of retro-pop sounds.
There was a period this summer where Jung Kook's single with Latto, "Seven," was inescapable; a sunshine-y UK garage number counting down all the days of the week in which he'll love you, girl -- or maybe he'd do something else, depending on whether you're listening to the clean or explicit version of the track.
It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Jung Kook only the second member of BTS -- after Jimin -- to reach that height as a solo artist. A "golden" artist indeed.
The hook on "Seven" is undeniable, one of many on "Golden." Across this release, Jung Kook demonstrates a deep understanding of pop performance -- and how, in the modern era, that requires innovative collaborations, heavily featured throughout his solo album.
Ed Sheeran plays guitar on "Yes or No"; Shawn Mendes co-wrote the piano ballad "Hate You." Major Lazer is featured on the breathy-bass banger "Closer to You" and DJ Snake is on the Bieber-esq. dance-pop "Please Don't Change." Rapper Jack Harlow is on the single "3D," which hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It might be an unfavorable comparison in the current cultural moment, particularly in the conversation following the release of Britney Spears' "The Woman in Me" memoir. But "3D" recalls the early, peak days of Justin Timberlake's 2000s solo career -- "Justified" and "Suit and Tie," those Timbaland and Pharrell collaborations and onward.
At the time, JT's musical talent was undeniable, and he was largely considered one of the greatest pop performers of recent history -- and make no mistake, that's the only JT tradition Jung Kook appears to be pulling from. (Well, that, and finding incredible success as a soloist separate from the group that made him an idol. But BTS is taking a break, while NSYNC broke up for two decades.)
The greatest song, however, is the latest single: the funky, Michael Jackson-channeling "Standing Next to You" may very well be one of the year's most addictive pop singles.
And even then, it is one of many no-skip songs on "Golden," an album of pop bliss.
This story has been updated to correct that Jimin had a No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist.
Israel pressed forward on two fronts Wednesday, pursuing a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah and conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children.
A B.C. man has been ordered to pay a total of $4,000 to a Coquitlam company and its two owners because of a negative review he posted on Google.
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Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says his ultimatum to the government stands, after the Liberals voted against a motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits on Wednesday.
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A B.C. man has been ordered to pay a total of $4,000 to a Coquitlam company and its two owners because of a negative review he posted on Google.
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Alberta will not allow the sale of liquor in grocery and convenience stores, the province announced on Wednesday.
In less than a year, an Alberta woman has gone from gracing the stage at her first pageant to competing at the Mrs. Universe pageant in South Korea. She's making history by becoming the first Canadian veteran to compete internationally.
Donald Trump 'resorted to crimes' after losing the 2020 election, federal prosecutors said in a court filing unsealed Wednesday.
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The United Nations on Wednesday called Israel’s ban on Secretary-General Antonio Guterres entering the country a political statement by its foreign minister.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday he will not support an Israeli strike on sites related to Tehran's nuclear program in response to Iran's missile attack on Israel.
U.S. authorities charged five Chinese nationals with lying and trying to cover their tracks, more than a year after they were confronted in the dark near a remote Michigan military site where thousands of people had gathered for summer drills.
Whether a two-year-old beaver named Nibi gets to stay with the rescuers she has known since she was a baby or must be released into the wild as winter approaches in Massachusetts has ended up in court -- and caused such an uproar that even the governor has weighed in.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel Wednesday, but said the international community must do everything it can to help avoid a bigger regional war.
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Regina city councillors heard an update from administration on the Lawson Aquatic Centre replacement at Executive Committee Wednesday.
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Thinking about buying concert tickets or other items on Facebook? Police are warning the public about the risks of buying concert tickets and other items through social media, particularly Facebook Marketplace and Messenger.
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City council in Sault Ste. Marie has decided to purchase the former general hospital site, with an eye on demolishing the property and selling it to a buyer serious about redevelopment.
A woman who has worked for Â鶹´«Ã½ Northern Ontario for 50 years was honoured Tuesday night with a lifetime achievement award.
CTV Northern Ontario will be live on location in the community collecting donations to stock the shelves of local food banks this month.
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A mother in a community where the cost of living is one of the highest in the country says grocery prices are 'inhumane' and retailers are putting profits ahead of people’s basic human right to food.
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