BTS' Jungkook turns 29: Why the ‘Golden Maknae’ still shines as ARMY celebrates worldwide

BTS member Jungkook turns 29 on September 1, and celebrations for the singer have already taken over cities across the world. From LED trucks outside Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium and fireworks in Japan to drone shows, Times Square billboards and advertisements across Seoul, ARMY is marking the birthday of BTS' youngest member on a truly global scale.

For fans, however, Jungkook's birthday is also a reminder of the nickname that has followed him throughout his journey with BTS — the Golden Maknae.

The Korean word maknae means the youngest member of a group, but Jungkook earned the "golden" prefix for something more. Over the years, the BTS star has built a reputation for seemingly excelling at whatever catches his interest. Singing, dancing, rapping, sports, painting, cooking and more recently, video editing and keeping up with internet trends, Jungkook has repeatedly given fans new reasons to believe the nickname fits.

As Jeon Jungkook turns 29, here is a look at the many sides of BTS' Golden Maknae and how fans around the world are preparing to celebrate him.

Why is Jungkook called BTS' Golden Maknae?

Jungkook is the youngest member of BTS, but his versatility quickly became one of the defining parts of his identity within the group.

As a performer, he has moved effortlessly between powerful dance performances, melodic vocals and even rap. In BTS' earlier songs, Jungkook could often be heard taking on rap parts, while one particularly memorable moment came during the BTS Muster in Busan in 2019, when he performed fellow member RM's part in Ddaeng.

On stage, Jungkook is also known for his commanding presence. As one of BTS' lead dancers and a central performer, he has become a familiar focal point of the group's performances.

But the Golden Maknae title was never limited to music.

From athletics to painting: Jungkook's many talents

Jungkook's athletic side has been visible to fans for years. During the 2015 Idol Star Athletic Championship, he helped BTS secure victory in the 400m relay race with a run that stood out even to the event's anchors.

He has also shown a keen interest in boxing, sharing glimpses of his training with fans.

Then there is his artistic side.

Jungkook's painting has featured in BTS-related content, including the portrait of fellow member V that appeared during material connected to BTS' Wings trilogy. Fans also saw him working on large landscape paintings during Season 1 of the group's travel show In the Soop.

Whether it is a sporting arena, a dance stage or a canvas, Jungkook's willingness to try new things has become part of what ARMY associates with him.

The BTS member who can cook well

Jungkook's cooking adventures have provided some of the most entertaining moments for fans.

From cooking during BTS content to preparing meals in his live broadcasts, Jungkook has often shown his confidence in the kitchen, even when the results have not always gone according to plan.

Jungkook has also shown off his chopping, cutting and cooking skills on several occasions, including making food for fellow BTS member Jimin in Are You Sure.

Jungkook's newest skill? Speaking the language of the internet

If the Golden Maknae was once known primarily for his talents on stage, fans have recently discovered another side of him: Jungkook appears to be remarkably tuned in to internet culture.

Give him a viral sound, a trending meme or an online challenge, and there is a good chance Jungkook has already seen it.

From recreating viral trends and joining popular photoshoot formats to experimenting with TikTok and Instagram edits, the BTS member has shown that he is willing to have fun with the constantly changing world of social media.

His recent videos, including edits inspired by fan content and trend-based clips, have also highlighted another talent — video editing.

For someone who once became known as BTS' Golden Maknae because of his ability to sing, dance and perform, the list of skills appears to have only grown with time.

Fireworks, drones and LED trucks: ARMY's global birthday celebration

Jungkook's 29th birthday is being celebrated far beyond South Korea, with ARMY organising large-scale tributes across Asia, the United States and Europe. From LED trucks outside Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium, where BTS' ARIRANG World Tour concert is being held, to massive digital billboards in Seoul, Tokyo, New York and 11 major Chinese cities, fans have turned September 1 into a global celebration for the BTS star.

The celebrations go beyond screens and advertisements. Jungkook's Japanese fan club launched a 1,000-drone show in Tokyo ahead of his birthday and has planned a fireworks display in Toyama, while landmarks and commercial hubs across several countries are joining in with birthday tributes.

From Times Square to Seoul's subway stations and even Kolkata, the celebrations reflect the extraordinary global fandom surrounding BTS' Golden Maknae as he turns 29.

For Jungkook, the youngest member of one of the world's biggest music groups, turning 29 comes with a celebration that reflects both his global reach and the bond he has built with ARMY.

And perhaps that is what the Golden Maknae title has always been about. Jungkook may have started out as BTS' youngest member, but over the years, fans have watched him collect skills, experiment with new interests and find new ways to surprise them — whether it is through music, art, food, sports or simply knowing exactly which internet trend to try next.

At 29, BTS' Jungkook is still giving the Golden Maknae title plenty of reasons to shine.