Hits and Misses of Jungkook’s ‘Golden: The Moments’ Exhibition

Mehboob Studios was abuzz with energy as it opened its gates to Jungkook’s Golden: The Moments Exhibition. In collaboration with BookMyShow Live and produced by Hybe, the South Korean entertainment and lifestyle giant, the showcase, which has previously toured Seoul, Tokyo, New York City, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Chile, and more, finally pulled the curtains on its Indian run in Mumbai. 

The exhibit was divided into three sections, each exploring a distinct aspect of the singer-songwriter and performer’s album. ‘Journey’ took visitors through their solo days to global stardom. ‘Moments’ celebrated their achievements, marking the official victory lap. ‘Shine’ was a deeper dive, split into three parts: “Shine,” “Solid,” and “Substance,” which combined narrative and audio-visual elements.

Shuttling between accolades and the BTS member’s inner universe, Golden: The Moments nudged viewers to journey across thematic rooms that unraveled the many layers of Jung Kook’s intricate “mikrokosmos.” Everything, right from on‑stage and promotional outfits to listening stations, was designed to immerse the audience completely.

It’s also interesting to note the lore behind “Golden.” The youngest member of the Grammy‑nominated septet is widely recognized for his all‑rounder qualities — whether it’s belting out vocals, flirting with the camera through conceptual visuals, or effortlessly pulling off some of the most difficult choreographies onstage. The moniker “Golden Maknae” (the Korean term for the youngest person in a group or social setting) was endearingly bestowed by his favorite “hyung” (Korean term for older brother) and band‑mate RM. Jung Kook’s sickening quest for perfectionism can also be traced back to his pre‑debut athletic roots as a black‑belt Taekwondo athlete. It’s this very particular quality, which also runs deep in BTS’s artistry as a whole, that gravitated me toward their music in the first place: a never‑ending strive to go beyond the apparent.

With that sentiment in mind, I eagerly made a beeline for the entrance. Whispers of excited chatter of fellow ARMYs and attendees floated across the room as they snapped away all that met the eye. From seeing concept images and MVs on small phone screens to finally viewing them in a curatorial space, people had parked their screen fatigue at the front gate, soaking in the exhibit in real time. 

If you’re a fellow ARMY or a Desi K‑pop enthusiast, get ready for plenty of walking and gawking. Spread across a myriad of rooms, the exhibit offers an intimate glimpse into the sonic psyche of the BTS member. My first encounter was in the “Golden: Moments” room, which showcased the barrage of awards earned by the “Standing Next To You” singer. From coveted MAMA trophies to Billboard and Spotify plaques, the space stood as a silent testament to Jung Kook’s journey from a shy, unassuming rookie to a global pop star.

Parading across the rooms, you could also savor behind‑the‑scenes stills from MVs like “Standing Next To You,” as well as larger‑than‑life frames of concept imagery. The showcase tastefully guided visitors deeper into Jungkook’s many facets beyond the spotlight. A dedicated stem station lets melomaniacs listen to isolated versions of the track “Hate You.” A collective mini‑concert erupted as attendees swayed to giant screens playing MVs such as “Seven” and “3D.” For those with a sartorial eye, you could also catch all the promotional and performance outfits. Each piece was meticulously displayed on illuminated stands that highlighted the intricate details of his stage wardrobe.

While meandering through the rooms, I kept revising my mental checklist of standout moments. One of them was definitely the wardrobe display. Beyond being a stellar performer, Jung Kook is also known for his “cosy‑yet‑rebellious‑biker‑boyfriend‑next‑door” aesthetic, which was scattered throughout the clothing. Grungy platform boots, distressed jeans, and sheer vests contrasted with soothing white linen shirts, knit sweaters, and jackets, making it easy to trace the distinct stylistic routes the artist has explored both on‑ and off‑stage. The iconic brooch‑clad Prada jacket, famously worn in the “Standing Next To You” MV, was a hit among the style enthusiasts in the crowd.

Straying from the wardrobe, the tracklist posters also piqued my curiosity. My inner graphic designer couldn’t help but analyze the typography, visual hierarchy, and colorways used to give each frame a distinct identity.

Moving on from the visual feast, the “Substance” room, or the “ARMY” room, captured the overarching sentiment of fandom spirit, with attendees leaving heartfelt messages on the wall for the BTS member. While people were busy penning down their thoughts, a sense of camaraderie existed within those walls, where strangers were united by their unfailing love for music that echoes beyond geographical and linguistic borders. It’s personally endearing how the members always treat ARMYs as their most prized possession. Even amidst flourishing solo careers, exhibitions,  and performances, the “OT7” unity reigns supreme as an unspoken yet resonant pact. 

Nevertheless, a few bottlenecks stood out amidst the excitement. While I was ecstatic to see such a landmark K-pop exhibition set sail on Indian waters, there were these misses, like the lack of curatorial signage, that dampened the overall navigational experience. Adding to that, the overt capitalization of fandom sentiment overshadowed the artistic narrative. For one, I would have loved a deep dive into the artist’s musical inklings: unreleased B-side tracks, songwriting journals and notes, or even vlogs and recording sessions from behind the making of Golden. Even the concept imagery, however varied, could have been sporadically strewn across the exhibit to ease out the visual saturation. Lastly, a few clearer descriptive cues could go a long way in strengthening the exhibition as an experience.

In a nutshell, “Golden: The Moments,” just like BTS, is set to pave the way for more experiential K-pop experiences in India that are right up there with iglobal counterparts. With Hybe now setting up shop in India, the desi K‑pop fandom can expect many such activations and showcases in the near future. That expectation is beginning to look like it’s actually happening, summed up by a Hybe representative who said, “India represents one of the most dynamic and fast‑evolving music markets in the world. Following the establishment of HYBE INDIA, our goal is to build meaningful cultural bridges that connect our global artists with Indian fans, where voices from India can become global stories.”