BTS member Jungkook has set a new record as the best-selling K-pop soloist of all time, with over 15.5 million units sold globally. This achievement, reported on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, highlights the massive success of his debut solo album, GOLDEN, which was released in November 2023. Fans worldwide have celebrated this milestone, reinforcing Jungkook’s status as a global music phenomenon.
Record-Breaking Sales and Fan Reactions
Jungkook’s accomplishment of selling 15.5 million units globally solidifies his position as the top K-pop solo artist in history. This includes sales from his debut album GOLDEN and singles like SEVEN and 3D. The album features hit tracks such as Standing Next to You and collaborations with artists like Latto and Jack Harlow.
Fans expressed their excitement and pride on social media, with one fan stating:
“What a king, one of a kind artist!”
Another fan emphasized the significance of this achievement, noting:
“All this with just one album, the power of Jungkook.”
Many fans also pointed out that this is just the beginning of Jungkook’s solo career, with one admirer adding:
“Mind you, this is just the start for him cuz his solo career is just 1 album oldโฆ.he has a lot more to achieve!”
Key Achievements of GOLDEN
GOLDEN, released on November 3, 2023, is a full-English pop album that includes eleven tracks. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and reached the top 10 in 14 countries. The album also set a record as the first K-pop solo album to surpass 3 million sales on Hanteo, breaking a 30-year record previously held by Kim Gun-mo.
In South Korea, GOLDEN became the best-selling album by a K-pop soloist, with 2.9 million copies sold. It also holds the record for the highest first-day sales on Hanteo, with 2.14 million copies sold within 24 hours.
Global Streaming Dominance
Jungkook’s success extends beyond physical sales. He is also the most-streamed K-pop soloist on Spotify, with over 8.6 billion streams. His songs SEVEN, Left and Right, and Standing Next to You have each surpassed 1 billion streams on the platform. In July 2025, Jungkook became the first Asian solo artist to have 18 songs exceed 100 million streams each on Spotify.
His monthly listener count on Spotify peaked at 40 million, the highest ever for a K-pop soloist. As of recent reports, he maintains over 17.5 million monthly listeners.
Military Service and Recent Activities
Jungkook enlisted in the military in December 2023 alongside his bandmate Jimin under the Buddy System. He was discharged in June 2025. During his enlistment, he released a pre-recorded single titled Never Let Go in June 2024 as a tribute to his fans for BTS’s 11th debut anniversary.
Since his return, Jungkook has been actively reconnecting with fans through social media and public appearances. He recently attended New York Fashion Week 2025 as an ambassador for Calvin Klein.
Industry Recognition and Awards
Jungkook’s work has not gone unnoticed by the industry. In 2025, he won the Soloist of the Year award after a global fan voting competition. He outperformed other notable K-pop soloists like Jennie of BLACKPINK and his bandmate Jimin.
His album GOLDEN has also achieved longevity on music charts. It spent 600 days on Apple Musicโs Worldwide Album Chart and 89 consecutive weeks on Spotifyโs Weekly Top Albums Global chart, making it the longest-charting album by an Asian soloist on the platform.
The Road Ahead
With only one album, Jungkook has already broken numerous records and set new benchmarks for K-pop soloists. His global influence and dedicated fanbase suggest that his future projects will continue to make waves in the music industry. As fans often say, Jeon Jungkook is not just a K-pop idol; he is a global superstar.
