Each year before September 1, ARMYs across the globe make intricate plans to celebrate the golden maknae of BTS: Jeon Jungkook.


2021 is no different even with strict lockdowns in place. In South Korea, the K-pop act’s home, a themed custom-made themed cruise ship will sail on the Han River in Seoul. As of writing, his birthday ads are already up in one of South Korea’s subway stations.

There are also bus wraps, train wraps, and flower paths:

In the US, ARMYs can immerse in three floors of art exhibit dedicated to Jungkook at Lightbox in Manhattan, NY. There are also cafe events in both New York and Chicago. From August 30 to September 5, “Happy Jungkook Day” will flash on multiple billboards in Times Square, while ARMYs in Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand will see nothing less than large-scale digital billboards.  There are multiple cafe events, PR trucks, and mall ads in Japan. In Europe, digital billboards in Paris and Spain, and subway ads in the UK will make it known to the world that September 1 is Jungkook Day.

Fans have also been actively donating to charity on Jungkook’s behalf, raising over $10,000 as of writing. ARMYs in the Philippines is collaborating with Liter of Light, a non-profit organization, to create a solar artwork visible from the sky. They have pledged to donate the solar lights from the event to communities without proper electricity. In China, where he has the strongest fanbase (credits to Baidu JEON JUNGKOOK BAR) art classes will be held on his behalf in the hopes of helping kids get closer to their dreams.

The list does not even include offline activities yet, and still, it goes on. How ARMYs celebrate his birthday keeps getting grander each year, too. A profession of love from a fanbase that is as phenomenal as the group. Evidently, nothing can come between ARMY and Kookie, or any BTS member for that matter.

Where is all the love for BTS’s bunny coming from?
Jeon Jungkook: Golden maknae to adorable bunny and back to being lit on stage

BTS has always been praised for their duality, and it’s hard not to notice it on Jungkook who never disappoints. From being smooth, soft, and hot within seconds in Butter:

to being BTS’s representative when it comes to girl group dances


J-Hope and Jungkook dancing to Red Velvet on Star Show 360


BTS dancing to K-pop girl group dances on Weekly Idol

and back to being fierce and adorable at the same time in Permission to Dance:

Off the stage, the golden maknae shows that his heart is more golden. Many ARMYs find it adorable how Jungkook called his mom in Run BTS:

(Bonus: It’s the same episode where Kookie’s eomma affectionally said saranghae, the Korean for I love you, to Jimin).

And equally adorable how Suga’s dad calls Jungkook, “Soondoongie” (순둥이), which translates to naive, pure, or very gentle person. A testament of his character whether on the stage or irl.

And who can forget Jungkook’s crying incident with Jimin?

BTS’s guesting on Yoo Jae Suk’s Yoo Quiz on the Block showed a more intimate side of Kookie:

“By confronting things and suffering from it, I was able to build my current self. So I am thankful for the members for criticizing, teaching, and always taking care of me.” – Jeon Jungkook

And even when confronted, he gets bashful:

Beneath his strong hip thrusts, muscles, and powerful vocals lies the true Jungkook: A kind-hearted softee raised by BTS.

Just look at him with his new pet, the now-famous chicken from the set of Daechwita.

 

Beyond the stage, Jeon Jungkook gives all of us more reasons why it’s easy to love him. Trite but true: More than being BTS’s golden maknae, his golden personality is what stands out.

Happy birthday, Kookie!

Bonus: Enjoy this clip of Jungkook bunny for BTS’s Halloween dance practice 2016 (21st Century Girl)

Feature image: Jungkook’s BTS Festa 2021 photo sketch. Photo: BTS (방탄소년단)/FacebookBTS (방탄소년단)/Facebook