LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 03: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) … [+]
Just a few days ago, BTS member Jung Kook surprised his fans by officially releasing two songs. But, these tracks weren’t new; in fact, they had been out for years. Dedicated fans were already familiar with these deep cuts, but their release holds immense value for the singer as he enters a new phase of his career. Other stars in the music industry should take note of what Jung Kook is doing right now.
On July 3, Jung Kook unexpectedly dropped the songs “Still With You” and “My You.” These tunes had actually been released years prior but were never made available on popular streaming and sales platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes. Consequently, only his most devoted fans were aware of these tracks, while the majority of listeners remained oblivious.
The moment Jung Kook released these songs, they quickly climbed to the top of the iTunes charts and gained substantial streaming success. Within a matter of days, they may even find their way onto several Billboard charts, helping Jung Kook establish his solo popularity and potentially even make history, depending on their performance.
What’s truly noteworthy about Jung Kook’s strategy is how he transformed old, somewhat forgotten tracks into valuable assets. His move demonstrates that all content, regardless of its age, level of recognition, or obscurity, can generate revenue if marketed correctly.
Many musicians have learned the lesson that the public is always hungry for what’s new, and this mindset has become prevalent in the current music industry landscape. However, there is still room for older tracks to shine. Numerous artists have achieved success by reworking, re-releasing, or making lesser-known tunes from their past widely available. Jung Kook isn’t the first to employ this tactic, but his execution of it is undeniably smart.
Within BTS, several members have recorded music that was only released in special ways for fans or which hasn’t yet reached the mainstream audience. Jung Kook’s actions serve as a reminder to his fellow bandmates—and anyone else paying attention—that they can explore their past catalog for additional music. Instead of solely focusing on the future and constantly pursuing new material, artists can revisit tracks that may have been forgotten or overlooked. These hidden gems can be utilized to their full potential, providing a fresh experience for both dedicated fans and new listeners.
While Jung Kook has exciting new music on the horizon, with his upcoming single “Seven” set to drop on Friday, July 14, this surprise release of “Still With You” and “My You” has further heightened the anticipation. On the same day “Seven” drops, he will also kick off Good Morning America‘s summer concert series with a performance of the new single. The release of these two years-old tracks serves as a delightful appetizer, amplifying the excitement among his fans, and it’s remarkable how two previously released songs have garnered even more attention and anticipation for Jung Kook’s future releases.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/07/09/btss-jung-kook-is-teaching-musicians-a-valuable-lesson/