If you felt like Jungkook's solo debut single, “Seven,” had major Justin Bieber vibes when it first came out, you were right on the money.
In a new piece published by the New Yorker spotlighting Bang Sihyuk's global aspirations with KATSEYE, HYBE CEO Scooter Braun revealed that Jungkook's “Seven,” which features Atlanta rapper Latto, was actually originally written for Justin Bieber.
Jungkook's “Seven” was the first offering of Jungkook's debut solo album, Golden, on July 14, 2023. Thanks to its NSFW lyrics, the song, produced by Andrew Watt and Cirkut and written by Jon Bellion and Theron Makiel Thomas, was a deviation from what Jungkook had fans accustomed to with his work in BTS. “When Justin Timberlake did a solo record without *NSYNC, he leaned in with edge," Braun recalled telling Jungkook to the New Yorker.
To say the risk paid off would be an understatement. The song debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200 lists, made multiple “Best” end-of-year lists, and even set multiple Guinness World Records for its streams on Spotify.
Of course, this wasn't the only revelation included in the New Yorker piece, and it somehow also goes back to Justin Bieber. In the piece, it was revealed that Justin Bieber's mentor, Usher, also officially invited Jungkook to perform with him onstage during the famed Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2024, but Jungkook had to decline the offer to comply with South Korea's mandatory military service. (ICYMI: Usher also famously extended the invite to Justin Bieber as well, who also declined.)
Though no more details were shared about the coul-have-been linkup, it's safe to assume Jungkook and Usher would have put on a rendition of “Standing Next to You” had the stars aligned for the Super Bowl. Jungkook enlisted Usher for the remix of the track, which was released on December 1, 2023. The original song, released a month earlier in November, served as the third single off Golden.
Jungkook enlisted in the military fresh off the promo for Golden on December 12, 2023, alongside fellow BTS member Jimin. His discharge date is currently scheduled for June 2025. At the time of writing, the only BTS member to have completed his mandatory military conscription is Jin, who was discharged in June 2024.
Though Usher did not end up getting Justin Bieber or Jungkook like he originally intended, he still managed to put on a star-studded performance for the 2024 Super Bowl, which included Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris, H.E.R., will.i.am, and more.
