How BTS's Jungkook Really Feels About His "Golden Maknae" Nickname

Popular New Zealand radio personality, Zane Lowe, recently flew to Korea for the opportunity to interview BTS‘s maknae Jungkook, who recently released his debut solo album, GOLDEN.

During the interview, the two discussed Jungkook’s solo aspirations, his days as a trainee, his hopes for BTS’s 2025 reunion, and more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zane Lowe (@zanelowe)

Zane Lowe was admiring the view from the 19th floor of the HYBE building while asking about the name of Jungkook’s solo album.

While taking in the view, Zane Lowe shared how much he loved the album’s name while waving a hand toward the significance of the setting they were in. The towering company headquarters built because of the hard work put in by BTS, which Jungkook humbly added was the result of the collective effort of BIGHIT MUSIC‘s staff and artists.

Zane Lowe acknowledged that for Jungkook, “GOLDEN” had a very specific meaning, after being given to him as a nickname by BTS’s leader RM, who affectionately referred to Jungkook as the group’s “golden maknae.”

The nickname also encompasses who Jungkook is, the beloved and endlessly talented youngest member, who is on top of the world with his fellow members.

Zane Lowe wondered if, by making his solo debut and releasing his own album, Jungkook felt he was no longer the “youngest” of anything.

Jungkook didn’t feel that way; instead, he felt the opposite.

Even in 20 or 30 years, I will always be the youngest, the ‘maknae.’ That will never change. And I don’t really dislike being called ‘maknae.’

— BTS’s Jungkook

Instead, Jungkook observed himself growing into his “golden maknae” nickname even more while he challenged himself as an artist through his album creation.

During the interview, Jungkook also revealed what career path he would consider if he wasn’t a K-Pop artist.

Check out more on that in the article below!