Jung Kook of BTS returns to World Cup stage, says 'It was fun'

Jung Kook, a member of BTS, connected with global fans by sharing behind-the-scenes footage and photos following a successful halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup North America final. Following his performance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup opening ceremony, Jung Kook returned to an official FIFA World Cup stage after four years, marking the historic moment with the short but resonant sentiment, "It was fun."

On the 20th, Jung Kook released photos and videos via social media (SNS) from the 2026 FIFA World Cup North America final held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

The posts included glimpses of the dressing room during preparations, the official AD passes issued to the performers, and shots of him watching the final match in the stadium immediately after the show. Alongside images of him relaxing and enjoying the match, he left the brief message "It was fun," reflecting on his experience at the premier global festival.

Earlier, BTS took the stage for the official halftime show—a first in World Cup history—to perform their global hit "Dynamite." Appearing immediately after a performance by global pop star Madonna, the group delivered a spectacular performance alongside a large troupe of dancers, capturing the attention of football fans worldwide.

Notably, the group adapted the lyrics from "Ping Pong" to "Football" to naturally incorporate the spirit of the World Cup final. The production, which maximized the festive atmosphere by interacting with the capacity crowd, received acclaim from fans across the globe.

For Jung Kook, this stage furthered his unique connection to the World Cup. In 2022, he performed the official FIFA soundtrack "Dreamers" live at the Qatar World Cup opening ceremony, becoming the first K-pop solo artist to grace a World Cup opening ceremony. That performance garnered worldwide attention and served as a symbol of K-pop's global status.

At this North American World Cup, he set another milestone by performing the halftime show with the full group BTS. Having now experienced both an opening ceremony and a final, as well as both solo and group performances, Jung Kook's World Cup legacy has taken on even deeper significance.

The 2026 North American World Cup halftime show is a new global entertainment project introduced by FIFA to fuse sports and popular culture. Directed by Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin, the program featured global pop stars to present a new festival model combining music and sports.

BTS has been continuing their global activities through their recent world tour "ARIRANG." Following the successful conclusion of their European tour with a performance at the Stade de France in Paris on the 18th (local time), they reaffirmed their unrivaled presence in the global music market by conquering the World Cup final halftime show.

Though brief, Jung Kook's comment, "It was fun," is being viewed as a message of satisfaction and composure after preparing for the world's largest sporting event. Returning to the official World Cup stage after four years, Jung Kook has once again proven his status as a premier global performer representing K-pop.