I do think that JK was given more "direction" than choices, for the album. One could say that the "direction" was in the form of strong suggestions, as he really had to put trust in higher management for this. He's still navigating through his own process of developing confidence in his writing abilities, and he has said that he doesn't feel that confident.
On X/Twitter, I follow someone who stated weeks ago that JK didn't have a lot of choice in the songs. This person is on the inside of things, and I think that it is true. When I saw who's names were attached to the songs on Golden, it confirmed my own sensing about the project. It's coming from Western/European creators.
Right now, JK has a goal of becoming a global star. He's put a large percentage of the necessary steps into the hands of Bang PD and Scooter, amongst others. His goal is set. What we are witnessing is the result of the direction of the people who he has trusted.
For whatever reasons they are basically utilizing JK's solo music and goals to see how far they can take it, to the levels of global success. I think he's the trial-run, as they say. He's got the talent, the charisma, the looks, and the willingness to put it all out there in front of the public, anywhere they are willing to send him. It's no-holds-barred, for Jungkookie.
I dare say that the people above him (the ones making the BIG bucks) are seeing him as a means to an end, financially. I personally believe that Bang PD is entirely motivated by the $$$$$$$$$ that he's making, off of Jungkookie (as well as all K-Pop artists under his wing). Scooter is just another who is purely motivated by money. He's got the connections in the industry, and he knows exactly how to pull the strings.
My biggest concern is the health and wellbeing of Jungkookie, physically, emotionally, mentally, and energetically. With the insane schedule that we are witnessing (flying all over the world, without true rest in-between), I am concerned about how this will all affect Jungkookie, in the long-run.
Yoongi had an exhausting schedule on tour, yet they designed it so that he was progressively moving in the direction of Seoul, through the tour. He wasn't going back and forth across an ocean every week, moving back and forth across multiple time-zones that can cause deep exhaustion and a difficulty in adjusting to the day and time. We saw an exhausted Yoongi at the end, even with the way that they scheduled his tour. Yet, it was nothing like what they are doing to Jungkook, with his schedule.
So the point here is that there are many levels and many things happening that Jungkook is navigating. And, everything is affecting him as he pushes through. He's giving it his all, his best, and pushing himself beyond what a normal human would do. It's all or nothing.
When Jimin expressed his concern, it was something to pay attention to. Jimin obviously cannot speak at length about it, yet what he said spoke volumes. He knows more than anyone, what Jungkookie is navigating. He knows more than anyone, how it is affecting Kookie.
You know, sometimes it takes me a minute or two, or a day or week or two, to come to clarity on things. Sometimes it takes typing it out, as I filter through thoughts.. That's what is happening right now, as these words flow from my fingertips...
Jeon Jungkook needs our support and love. regardless of what is happening, what his songs are, who wrote them, who he's collaborating with, etc., etc., etc.... Because, he's literally carrying the weight of it all, on his shoulders, and in his heart. Because, Jungkookie is putting his all into every single note, step, action and intention. This is Jeon Jungkook, doing what he is needing and wanting to do right now.
On the other side of this solo album and all involved with it, we will be preparing for Jungkook's enlistment. Yeah. It's the elephant that continues to follow him into every room, 24/7.
We don't want to see a totally exhausted Jungkook, come December. We want to see him strong and at peace, with his accomplishments, prior to his stepping into MS. We want to see him healthy, rested, and ready for the next chapter.
All we need to do is continually see him filled with Love, surrounded with Love, and always supported by Love. Divine Love. Yeah.
If you made it this far, thank you. I didn't know how this would turn out... In the end, it is about what we can do for JK. And yeah, Love is always the answer. 💜
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no danger, because you are with me; your rod and your staff, they protect me." The Good News: God protects the members of his flock. If you are among them then there is nothing otherworldly to fear.
laurenjauregui Some BTS moments from the Always Love shoot🤍 I wanna say a huge thank you to the incredible team that helped me bring this vision to life, it wouldn’t have been possible without each one of you and the gratitude is deep.
Starring: @laurenjauregui & @claude_junior
Director: @lukeorlando
Editor: @laurenjauregui & @lukeorlando
Choreographer: @erinsmurray
Producer: @jjhouse__
Production Manager: @dee.galipeau
Production Coordinator: @awaxlaphotog
1st AD: @alicine__
Director of Photography: @thenamesneema
1st AC: @ ethansmithh15
2nd AC: @mimingtonn
Gaffer: @sebastien.nuta
Electric: @jacksonmach_
Key Grip: @nathankadota
Grip: sepe3
Production Design: @tessaaana
Art Assist: Alexa Herrejon
Edit: @lukeorlando & @laurenjauregui
Color: @lindseyamazur
Stylist: @itsmerazzie
Stylist Assist: @juliettearela
Hair: @drodbeauty
Makeup: @Leo.chaparro
AWAL: @cheyennecody, @litzaro, @ht3nyc
Location: @production.properties
PA: @sir.jalen
Management
Emagen: @chantalfelice
Lauren Jauregui Inc: @seagaux
BTS: Gretzky
Thank you thank you thank you! And thank you to all of you who have watched it so far! If you feel compelled to watch again, share with a friend, lover, cousin, tia, brother whatever go ahead and send it(; link is in my bio & stories🤍✨ ok have a beautiful day!
Sometimes I think back to when we first met, just a few weeks in, maybe a month. We were sitting in my apartment taking, getting to know each other. I started to take my shoes off and out of nowhere you asked “Do you have ugly feet? You always keep your socks on in the house.” I was taken aback, you had zeroed in on a lifetime insecurity like a master archer on their target. I was hesitant to respond & you caught that too, “What’s wrong with your feet”, you asked. Mortified and not wanting to respond I said, “I just hate my second toe. My brother always made fun of me growing up so I’m insecure about it.” Not skipping a beat, and without consideration for my obvious discomfort, empathy for a childhood insecurity, or shame in your lack of boundaries, you said, “take your socks off, I need to see what I’m dealing with here.” I didn’t want to take my socks off. I didn’t want to be having that conversation. But I did and you laughed, saying my feet were totally normal. That you had seen some ugly feet but mine were fine and that my brother was an idiot…
I never forgot that night. How quickly you picked up on my insecurity. How unabashedly you called it out and the lack of regard for how uncomfortable it made me. I didn’t realize then how this ability of yours would present itself throughout our time together; how it would harm or how it would uplift. And to this day, I still don’t know if its something I appreciate or dislike about you but I do know I no longer feel the need to keep my socks on in the house..