As a Global Citizen, I will pour my all into tonight's stage!" (BTS's Jungkook)
A massive wave of K-pop swept through Central Park in New York on Saturday night. Despite the chilly evening weather, the audience, donned in raincoats, couldn't contain their passionate cheers and shouts, focused solely on the stage.
The massive outdoor music festival 'Global Citizen Festival' held in Central Park on September 23 (local time) featured BTS's Jungkook as the headliner.
The Global Citizen Festival is a large charity concert organized by the international civic movement, Global Citizen. Initiated in 2012, it aims to raise awareness about global issues such as extreme poverty, hunger, and climate change.
BTS had previously graced the event in 2021, performing 'Permission to Dance' and 'Butter' against the backdrop of Korea's national treasure, Sungnyemun.
Jungkook joined the ranks of headliners alongside rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and pop star Lauryn Hill. His appearance marked a first for a K-pop solo artist.
As the live-streamed event transitioned to Jungkook's performance, an overwhelming cheer erupted. Fans, known as 'ARMY', dressed in BTS's signature purple, greeted his entrance with disbelief and excitement.
Jungkook, dressed in a casual shirt, opened his set with solo tracks 'Euphoria' and 'Still With You'. Accompanied by a live band, his smooth vocals and emotional melodies perfectly matched the autumn ambiance, leaving a profound impression.
Addressing the cheering audience in English, Jungkook emphasized, "Let's continue to exert our influence to ensure everyone everywhere has access to basic rights like food and education."
When his global hit 'Seven' started playing, the venue erupted with fans singing along, especially the line "Weight of the world on your shoulders." Notably, rapper Lato, who featured in the rap part of 'Seven', joined Jungkook on stage for the first time.
Jungkook then treated fans to a medley of BTS's English hits: 'Permission To Dance', 'Dynamite', and 'Butter'. His confident demeanor and expressions showcased his ease on stage, and the audience sang along familiarly. Even after he left the stage, applause and cheers continued for a while.
Towards the end of his performance, Jungkook made a surprise announcement about the release of his new digital single '3D'.
According to his agency, Big Hit Music, the upcoming '3D', set to release on the 29th, is an R&B pop track that creatively portrays feelings towards an unreachable person through the concept of 1D, 2D, and 3D perspectives. The agency highlighted that fans can expect a more mature solo artist in Jungkook following 'Seven'. '3D' will feature rapper Jack Harlow, who previously topped the Billboard 'Hot 100' with 'Industry Baby' alongside Lil Nas X.
Jungkook's new song announcement comes about two months after 'Seven', which marked his rise as a global solo pop star.
Promotional videos and photos for '3D' were also released on the fan community Weverse, heightening fans' anticipation.
The event also featured the producing sub-unit '3RACHA' from the popular group Stray Kids, consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. They energetically performed songs like 'HEYDAY' and 'TOPLINE'. Stray Kids members Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Seungmin couldn't attend due to a recent car accident.
3RACHA emphasized, "It's important to do what we believe is right. There are many issues in the world, like the climate crisis and poverty. It's crucial to raise our voices together. Please join us for the future," they said fluently in English.
