BTS’ RM Reveals How He Fought for Jung Kook’s Explicit “Seven” Lyrics
When Jung Kook released “Seven” featuring Latto in July 2023, the track didn’t just dominate the charts—it signaled a bold shift in the South Korean singer’s artistic image. Although the song’s infectious UK garage pop sound captured global audiences, the explicit lyrics sparked internal debate at his label. Now, BTS leader RM has revealed that he played a pivotal role in ensuring those NSFW lyrics remained untouched.
The Battle for Creative Freedom at HYBE
In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, RM disclosed that some executives at the label were initially wary of the song’s explicit content. Specifically, higher-ups at HYBE flagged lines such as “And that’s why night after night, I’ll be f–kin’ you right” as a point of concern.
As the leader of BTS, RM used his authority to advocate for Jung Kook’s creative direction. He urged the label not to change the lyrics, arguing that Jung Kook is an adult. “Why not? He’s all grown up,” RM explained. “He can sing an F-word.”
Jung Kook’s Perspective on the Explicit Content
While the lyrics were a departure from the typically family-friendly refrains associated with BTS, Jung Kook himself was unfazed by the explicit nature of the track. Speaking to Rolling Stone, he admitted he felt no embarrassment about the lyrics, simply stating, “So what?”
This confidence helped “Seven” transition from a risky label decision to a global phenomenon. The track was released as a single on July 14, 2023, and was later included on Jung Kook’s debut studio album, Golden.
A Record-Breaking Success
The decision to keep the lyrics intact did not hinder the song’s commercial performance; in fact, it became one of the most successful solo releases in K-pop history. “Seven” achieved several major milestones:
- Billboard Dominance: The song debuted at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Global 200, marking the first number-one for both Jung Kook and Latto.
- Spotify Records: It became the fastest song in history to surpass one billion streams on Spotify and the most-streamed collaboration of 2023.
- UK Market Impact: The track debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart, setting a record as the highest debuting single by a solo Korean act.
- Global Reach: It topped rankings in Singapore, Malaysia, Latvia, and India, and hit number one on Billboard’s Hits of the World charts in several territories, including South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
Key Takeaways: The Impact of “Seven”
- RM’s Influence: RM successfully persuaded HYBE executives to allow NSFW lyrics, citing Jung Kook’s maturity.
- Commercial Peak: The song’s explicit version contributed to a #1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Genre Shift: The track utilized a UK garage pop style, produced by Andrew Watt and Cirkut.
- Streaming Power: “Seven” holds the record for the fastest song to hit one billion Spotify streams.
Looking Ahead for BTS
This revelation comes as BTS continues to evolve their musical identity. The group recently released ARIRANG, their first full-length album since 2020, which has spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. As the members explore solo ventures and diverse lyrical themes, the precedent set by “Seven” suggests a novel era of artistic autonomy for the group.