...for "Golden" by Jung Kook of BTS.
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by PAM
As the world holds its collective breath for the official release of the first solo album of the ultra talented golden maknae of BTS, Jeon Jung Kook (or simply "Jung Kook" or "JK"), I would like to look at videos of the iconic live performance of the late 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson (MJ), and the heir apparent from the early 2000s, Bruno Mars (BM), and see how JK compares to these legendary artists. I think this is the best way to dissipate tension, and to keep the long wait bearable.
First up, the late 'King of Pop' in his legendary performance of his multi-awarded song,"Billie Jean", at the 25th anniversary of Motown back in 1983 where he unveiled his iconic dance step, "moonwalk", which changed many things in pop music and pop culture per se.
"Billie Jean is not my lover.
She's just a girl thinks that I am the one but the kid is not my son."
I was in Junior High School when I saw this iconic performance for the first time. Although I was already a big fan of Jackson Five since the first time I heard "Rockin' Robins", and has been a fan of MJ, after watching him in this performance, I became a big, big, BIG fan! After this, the room that I shared with my sisters was covered with his posters, and all my school stuff were decorated with MJ stuff. I bought glittery stockings and socks... and wore them with leather loafers. I was a total fan girl! But in those times, who wasn't? Anyway, this iconic performance changed many things in an entire generation... and whenever a turning point in pop music history is unveiled, this becomes the 'reference'.
When Bruno Mars broke through the music scene, all (myself included) were impressed by his impossibly wide vocal range that rivaled that of MJ. As such, like MJ, he is able to cover many genres effectively. Like MJ, he is a prodigy. He is one of the very few artists who make his songs sound better when he performs them live. He has so much confidence in what he can do, and he slams you and your imagination with them... and what a slam dunk it always is! And he seem to enjoy performing, too, so that anyone who watches him live is taken 100%. He just brings on the joy in the music he sings, and it's terrific! He has a naturally humorous personality, too. That adds to the awesome experience of watching him perform his music live.
"I'm too hot (hot damn). Call the police and the fireman.
I'm too hot (hot damn). Make a dragon wanna retire, man."
Ah, that was good, right? So good!
And now, JK - the K-Pop prodigy whose beautiful vocals and dancing skills with good looks to match make the global phenomenon BTS music so irresistible. These days, as the group is on hiatus due to their mandatory Military Service, the world has the opportunity to listen to the 'distilled' voice of the BTS golden maknae in its 'pure and concentrated' form. The world is completely taken by him! So far, he has been breaking many records and setting new ones with his first official solo single, "Seven (featuring Latto)", released last 14 July 2023, and the follow-up single, "3D (feat. Jack Harlow)" released on 29 September 2023.
"So, if you're ready and i you'll let me, I wanna see it in motion, in 3D."
He is good, huh? In my book, he is the rightful owner of that crown as "King of Pop" of his generation. It is incredible, given that he is Asian, and that he is not an English speaker. And yet, his global appeal is something that the world has not quite seen before. Although he has 10 years of performing as a music artist with BTS, he has only started working on his own when he sang with Charlie Puth in that collaboration that produced a huge hit, "Left and Right", released in Summer of 2022. And then, he sang the theme of the FIFA World Cup 2022, "Dreamers" (featuring Fahad Al Kubaisi). JK performed the song live in the opening ceremony in Qatar with Fahad. The 22nd World Cup saw the phenomenal Lionel Messi win the coveted prize in the 'beautiful game' - finally, making him a real contender for the Greatest of All Times title. And, with a solo career that technically began with "Dreamers, JK is now fast-becoming as one of the strongest and most credible contenders for the "King of Pop" accolade of his generation.
JK's debut album, "Golden", shall be a testament of his talents and capabilities as a solo artist. We shall see in a few days. I am confident that his star shall shine even brighter.
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Video credit: The owners of the videos above are indicated in credits - thanks, and thanks to YouTube for providing the link.
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