Jungkook on Whether BTS’ Next Song Will Be in English or Korean

BTS is the world’s biggest boy band, often commenting on how their music transcends language. With select songs released in English, including their 2021 single titled “Butter,” some fans wonder if the K-pop group’s next piece will be in English or Korean.

Here’s what Jungkook said about their upcoming projects. 

How many BTS members speak English?

They don’t need permission to dance. Although Korean is their primary language, all seven BTS speak and understand English well. While overseas, RM often functions as the translator for the group, answering questions on behalf of BTS during interviews. 

The BTS members sing and rap in English, both when performing solo music and when they’re collaborating as a boy band. As a result, some fans wonder what’s next for the K-pop group.

Will BTS’ next song be in English or Korean?

Some international ARMYs wonder if BTS will perform their next song (or album) in English or Korean. As seen in BTS’ Bangtan Bomb, the K-pop group was asked whether their next song will be performed mainly in English, like “Butter,” or mainly in Korea, like “Black Swan.” The “Golden Maknae” of the group answered on behalf of the other members.

“That hasn’t been decided yet,” Jungkook said regarding the language of BTS’ next song. “We don’t know.”

The BTS members confirmed that they are constantly working on new music, even if the K-pop group took a holiday break during December 2021. J-Hope shared that he’s working on solo music, while Jungkook and Suga spent time creating the soundtrack for 7FATES: CHAKHO. BTS also confirmed they would perform in Seoul sometime during March 2022.

BTS’ first all-English song was the 2020 release, ‘Dynamite’

The BTS members almost always featured English words and phrases in their lyrics. That includes their well-known hits like “On,” “Boy With Luv,” and “Black Swan.”

However, the first time they released a song entirely in English was the 2020 single “Dynamite.” It was this track that landed BTS their first Billboard No. 1 hit. Its corresponding music video broke YouTube records. 

“We never expected this song would come, you know, like even in fully English…,” RM said during an interview with USA TODAY. “But many things have changed and, you know during the process of making our album, which we’re going to release later this year, we just met this song like a destiny, and when we first listened to the demo, the lyrics and the vibes and you know, everything was so perfect.”

Following the success of “Dynamite,” the K-pop group released their 2021 single “Butter,” also recorded and performed entirely in English. This song earned BTS their second Grammy nomination (the first nomination was awarded to “Dynamite” the year prior). 

The same year BTS’ released “Butter,” they premiered “Permission to Dance” and its corresponding music video.