BTS Jungkook Harper’s BAZAAR June 2026 Interview Full English Translation

 

 

Want to read the full interview?
👉Get the BTS Jungkook Harper’s BAZAAR June 2026 here

 

Japanese Translation: Here

Global artist and performer Jung Kook of BTS steps in front of BAZAAR’s camera as the global brand ambassador for HUBLOT. We take a closer look at the solid identity of Jung Kook — extraordinarily pure, instinctive, and unmistakably different.

 

 

I’d say HUBLOT and I share a similar kind of visual language. There’s this subtle sense of kinship between us. I’m someone who moves more from the heart than from the head. In other words, rather than explaining information, I feel more comfortable and familiar with conveying the mood of a moment. I think that raw sense and atmosphere are what we have in common.

 

A Pure Letter from One of the Brightest Stars of Our Time. From Jung Kook.

 

Harper’s BAZAAR: BTS’s Goyang concert, BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN GOYANG, wrapped up just yesterday. It marks the group’s first world tour in about four years. How does it feel?

Jung Kook: It had been a long time — a really long time — since our last concert, and because we had put so much heart and effort into preparing for it, I didn’t feel any particular nervousness or anxiety. But it did feel as if I had stepped into another world, even if only for a moment. Now, I’m spending sleepless nights feeling excited about traveling around the world on tour and meeting ARMY everywhere.

I definitely feel most like myself when I’m on stage, dancing and singing while hearing the audience cheer. Even when my throat hurts and I’m drenched in sweat, that’s actually when I feel the most alive.

Harper’s BAZAAR: This was your first time meeting BAZAAR, and your first cover shoot with us. When I saw the concept draft, the phrase “an extraordinary everyday life” came to mind. It felt like a day in the life of an eccentric star who spends even his time at home in a way that’s far from ordinary. How was the shoot for you? By the way, everyone on set remembered you as a true gentleman.

Jung Kook: I liked everything about it — the mood on set, the timing, the pace. It was all very welcoming. I actually find photo shoots a little difficult. I still haven’t fully gotten used to them. But this shoot with BAZAAR became a really fun memory for me. (laughs)

Harper’s BAZAAR: You joined us for this cover as HUBLOT’s global brand ambassador. Your connection with HUBLOT goes back to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. HUBLOT was the official timekeeper at the time, and you performed “Dreamers” at the opening ceremony. It was especially meaningful because you were performing in front of an entirely new audience of football fans.

Jung Kook: I remember that stage as something I took part in with a lot of joy and excitement. More than anything, it was an honor just to be there. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made that moment possible. And if I ever get the chance, I would love to perform there again.

Harper’s BAZAAR: How do you relate to HUBLOT’s artistic vision? In what ways do you think Jung Kook and HUBLOT resemble each other?

Jung Kook: I’d say HUBLOT and I share a similar kind of visual language. There’s this subtle sense of kinship between us. I’m someone who moves more from the heart than from the head. In other words, rather than explaining information, I feel more comfortable and familiar with conveying the mood of a moment. I think that raw sense and atmosphere are what we have in common.

Harper’s BAZAAR: While preparing for the album ARIRANG, you held a songwriting camp with the members. You once recalled, “I think we wrote around 100 songs. We ate, worked out, showered, slept, and focused only on making music.” Do you feel that experience helped you grow musically or changed the way you look at music?

Jung Kook: I think my perspective always changes depending on the situation I’m in at the time. In the same way, I saw and learned so much during this songwriting camp. To put it simply… I still have a very long way to go. (laughs)

Harper’s BAZAAR: Looking back on the entire process of preparing this album, what was the most enjoyable moment? The recently released music video for “2.0” was a comedic homage to the film Oldboy, so I imagine there must have been plenty of laughter on set.

Jung Kook: First of all, I just wanted the album to come out quickly. So every moment of making the album was bound to be enjoyable. With “2.0,” learning the choreography was especially fun. It had been such a long time since all the members had gathered together to dance.

Harper’s BAZAAR: The Jung Kook who sings “FYA” and the Jung Kook who sings “Like Animals” feel like completely different people. A famous vocalist once said that a singer is, in a way, an actor who tells stories through melody. What is it like for you? Do you sing all the diverse songs on this album as one Jung Kook? Or do you bring out different personas to match each lyric and melody? Or is it the result of intentional performance?

Jung Kook: I don’t think I’m someone with many different personas. Rather than calling them separate personas, I’d say it’s closer to carrying out a kind of performance.

Harper’s BAZAAR: Just like your motto, “I’d rather die than live without passion,” your desire to become a better singer has brought you this far. How much do you believe effort matters in becoming a great artist?

Jung Kook: Personally, I think it’s half talent and half effort. But just because effort makes up half of it doesn’t mean you only have to give 50 percent. You have to put in more than 100 percent just to reach that 50 percent.

Harper’s BAZAAR: Even the brightest stars must have human worries of their own. What is one personal concern you have these days?

Jung Kook: Hmm… How can I become happier? (laughs)

 

 

---