Jung Kook of BTS isn't a fan of cold pizza — until New York changed his mind
Synopsis
Jung Kook of BTS doesn't do cold pizza — and he said so on live television. The moment, shared from The Tonight Show's Instagram, is a rare, unguarded glimpse of the chart-breaking K-pop star off the stage and very much himself.
Key Takeaways
Jung Kook revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he dislikes leftover or cold pizza.
Host Jimmy Fallon arranged a fresh New York City slice for the K-pop star, who responded with a simple 'Yum!' The exchange was shared on the show's official Instagram page.
BTS is a seven-member South Korean group known for genre-spanning music and lyrics addressing mental health, youth, and self-love.
Jung Kook's solo single '3D' (2023) debuted at number five on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart , making him the first South Korean solo artist with two consecutive top-five UK entries.
BTS member Jung Kook has revealed a surprisingly relatable food opinion: he enjoys pizza, but draws the line at leftovers. The candid admission came during a lighthearted segment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the K-pop star sat down with host Jimmy Fallon over a slice of New York City pizza.
The Pizza Confession
During their on-air conversation, Jung Kook told Fallon plainly: 'I like pizza, but... I didn't like leftovers, so…' Fallon, visibly amused, followed up: 'Oh, so like cold pizza, no good?' — before revealing he had arranged a fresh, hot New York slice specifically for his guest.
After taking a bite, Jung Kook's verdict was short and definitive: 'Yum!' The exchange was shared on the show's official Instagram page, where it quickly drew attention from the global ARMY — BTS's devoted fanbase.
Who Is Jung Kook
Jung Kook is a member of BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan), the South Korean septet comprising Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The group, also known as the Bangtan Boys, has built a global following through a wide range of musical genres and lyrics that address mental health, youth struggles, self-love, individualism, and the weight of fame.
Jung Kook contributed three solo tracks to BTS's discography — 'Begin' (2016), 'Euphoria' (2018), and 'My Time' (2020) — and recorded 'Stay Alive' for the BTS-based webtoon 7Fates: Chakho.
Jung Kook's Solo Career Milestones
In 2022, Jung Kook featured on Charlie Puth's single 'Left and Right', which peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100. His momentum only grew from there.
In 2023, his debut solo single 'Seven' featuring Latto broke multiple chart and streaming records. The follow-up, '3D' featuring Jack Harlow, debuted at number five on both the Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart — making Jung Kook the first South Korean solo artist to land two consecutive top-five entries on the UK chart.
BTS: The Bigger Picture
Beyond chart dominance, BTS has distinguished itself through a discography that references literature, philosophy, and psychology, and includes an elaborate alternate universe storyline. The group's lyrical depth and genre versatility have made them a cultural phenomenon well beyond the K-pop category.
Whether Jung Kook's New York pizza moment becomes a recurring segment remains to be seen — but for now, cold pizza is firmly off the menu.
Point of View
Low-stakes moments are precisely how global artists like Jung Kook sustain parasocial intimacy with a fanbase that numbers in the tens of millions. The Tonight Show segment is as much a brand exercise as a chat-show appearance: it humanises Jung Kook at a point when his solo career is on a sharp upward curve. For media covering the K-pop beat, the real story is not the pizza — it is how deliberately BTS members are being positioned as individual global celebrities, not just ensemble acts, as the group navigates military service cycles and solo releases.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jung Kook say about pizza on The Tonight Show?
Jung Kook told host Jimmy Fallon that he enjoys pizza but dislikes eating leftovers or cold slices. Fallon then presented him with a fresh New York City pizza, which Jung Kook approved of with a simple 'Yum!'
Where was the Jung Kook and Jimmy Fallon pizza moment shared?
The clip was posted on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon's official Instagram page, where it drew wide attention from BTS fans globally.
What are Jung Kook's biggest solo hits?
Jung Kook's debut solo single 'Seven' featuring Latto (2023) broke multiple streaming records. His follow-up '3D' featuring Jack Harlow debuted at number five on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, making him the first South Korean solo artist to achieve two consecutive top-five entries on the UK chart.
Who are the members of BTS?
BTS, also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan or the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean group comprising Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
What kind of music does BTS make?
BTS spans a wide range of genres and is known for lyrics addressing mental health, youth struggles, self-love, individualism, and fame. Their work also references literature, philosophy, and psychology, and includes an alternate universe narrative storyline.
