Jung Kook Took Over Times Square for a Surprise Performance
If you were in Times Square Thursday night, you could’ve easily thought it was New Year’s Eve. Crowds filled the plaza and clogged the sidewalks. People shouted along with a countdown on the big screen. But instead of a ball dropping, Jung Kook emerged on a balcony for a free surprise show.
The BTS member and solo artist performed songs from his just-released album, Golden, including “Yes or No,” “Please Don’t Change,” “3D,” and his smash hit “Seven” (which just went platinum). The set was short and sweet, but no less professional, complete with backup dancers, suave choreography, and his effortless stage presence. Even from a couple stories high on the TSX Stage, Jung Kook held the microphone out for fans as they sang along with his lyrics. He made sure to shout out the ARMY between songs.
Jung Kook was dressed in full Calvin Klein for the performance, as he’s an ambassador for the brand. His look consisted of a black denim shirt, white tank top, and slim jeans from the Fall ’23 collection.
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The singer has been making his rounds for album promo this week, including a guest appearances on The Today Show and The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon and an in-depth discussion with Apple Music. On the latter, he described how it feels to perform live.
“It’s a feeling that’s difficult to put into words,” he said. “It’s like getting all the good words in the world and putting it all together. Is it heaven? I don’t know. In any case, it’s just so, so, so, so good. It’s so great to be singing as an artist in that space with all these people who are cheering me on. It just makes me very happy and even gives me goosebumps from just how happy it makes me feel.”
Perhaps that’s how he felt last night too, with a sea of adoring fans below him.
Fans in Times Square wait for Jung Kook to appear.
Watch his shout out to ELLE below.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.