Jungkook at 28: BTS’s golden maknae who reminds us idols are human too (2025)

Mumbai,UPDATED: Sep 1, 2025 12:48 IST

On September 1, BTS’s golden maknae [youngest and the most talented] Jeon Jungkook turns a year older. Over the years, he has broken records, swept global charts, and established himself as one of the most dynamic performers in the pop world. But JK, beyond the sold-out arenas and Billboard numbers, is unafraid of showing himself as a human being and this is exactly what sets him apart, in so many ways, from any other idol.

Let me explain.

Calling Out What’s Wrong

Unlike many idols who choose to ignore uncomfortable realities or not comment on it, Jungkook has never shied away from addressing his concerns directly. During multiple livestreams or through legal actions, he has openly called out saesang fans, those who cross boundaries by waiting outside his home or even attempting to follow him. His words have always been firm, yet measured, a reminder to both fans and the wider public that privacy is not a privilege but a basic human right. Whether you are the world’s biggest pop star or an ordinary individual, no one deserves to have their safe space violated.

Not just this, Jungkook recently also opened up about being diagnosed with ADHD during the live session. When a fan criticised him for moving a lot, the idol-singer did not shy away from admitting he was diagnosed with ADHD, normalising conversations around it.

Karaoke That Feels Like a Concert

If there’s one thing ARMYs look forward to most, it’s Jungkook’s legendary karaoke lives. Often running two to three hours long, these sessions are part-concert, part-chaotic fun. He sings everything from BTS classics to his personal playlist, often forgetting he’s “performing” at all. That’s the charm. These lives aren’t polished showcases but raw, unfiltered moments of joy. Watching him belt out songs off-key, improvise lyrics, or laugh midway through a verse makes fans feel like they’re singing with a friend, not just watching an idol.

Laundry, Utensils and Parasocial Bonds

Jungkook’s lives aren’t all music. Sometimes, they’re about the most mundane human things, folding laundry, washing utensils, or tidying up his space. It’s precisely this ordinariness that intensifies the parasocial relationship fans feel with him. Many ARMYs admit they forget he’s a global superstar when they see him hunched over a pile of clothes or grumbling about exercising or eating food. There’s something grounding about watching an idol navigate everyday life, reminding fans that behind the perfectly styled hair and dazzling performances, Jungkook is just a young man figuring things out like anyone else.

Cooking, Eating, Being Vulnerable

Food is another recurring theme in his lives. Jungkook has cooked, experimented, and hosted mukbangs on Weverse, giving fans some of the most candid, hilarious reactions to his own culinary experiments. But perhaps the most touching moments have been when he shows his emotional side. Fans still recall when he teared up while reacting to the heartbreaking Jinny and Rumi scene during the live. It wasn’t the idol Jungkook reacting, but the person, Jeon Jungkook, empathetic, sensitive, and willing to be vulnerable in front of millions.

Why Jungkook Matters

In a world where idols are often expected to be flawless, perfectly curated, endlessly polished, Jungkook flips the script. He sings, he burns food, he speaks about privacy, he folds laundry on camera, and he cries over sad scenes during the live session, allowing fans to see both the “golden maknae” who can master any stage and the 28-year-old human who finds comfort in small joys.

And perhaps that’s why Jungkook’s bond with ARMY feels so unique. Today, as he turns 28, it seems right to celebrate not just Jungkook, whose greatest gift is not just his voice but his ability to remind the world that even idols are human, and that’s what makes them shine brighter.

- Ends