BTS’s Jungkook: “Enjoying the stage matters more than perfection”

Jungkook of BTS has shared his honest thoughts on performing, emphasizing that enjoyment matters more than perfection.

On January 19 KST, Rolling Stone Japan released a short interview video with Jungkook via its official Instagram account.

In the clip, Jungkook spoke about his mindset before going on stage. “Of course, feeling nervous is natural,” he said. “But more than that, I think enjoying the moment is what really matters.”

He continued, “Whether I make a mistake, trip on stage, or miss a note, I try to set all that aside and think, ‘Let’s just enjoy this.’” Jungkook explained that he prioritizes immersion in the performance over fear of errors.

Notably, he revealed that he intentionally filters out many elements other performers often focus on. “Some artists pay close attention to how they look externally—facial expressions, even things like scent,” he said. “But I’m not very good at multitasking, so the only two things I personally care about are singing and dancing.”

He added, “I don’t worry much about anything else. Even if my facial expression looks awkward, that’s just me singing. Aside from those two things, I completely block everything else out.” Jungkook stressed that delivering strong performance quality is what matters most to him. “People come to watch, and as a performer and singer, I think the quality has to be good. That’s what I value most.”

Jungkook also reflected on his special memories with Japanese ARMY. “In the past, Japanese ARMY were very shy,” he recalled. “They would cheer very precisely, then suddenly go quiet, then cheer again. That rhythm felt very unique and special to me.” The balance of passion and restraint in Japanese fan culture left a strong impression on him.

He also shared experiences from Japan outside of the stage. “Performances are what I remember most, of course,” he said, “but I enjoyed other things too. I like cold weather and food, so I recently went to Sapporo for a shoot. The draft beer and soup curry I had there were amazing.”

In the accompanying New York–shot pictorial, Jungkook showcased a relaxed charm while wearing Calvin Klein.

This interview was conducted as part of Rolling Stone’s simultaneous cover project across Korea, the UK, and Japan. Jungkook became the first Korean solo artist to grace the cover of Rolling Stone UK.