Since the beginning of 2026, global social media platforms have been flooded with low-quality throwback photos widely shared under hashtags such as #throwback2016, #2016vs2026, and #2026isthenew2016. Choosing 2016 as the focal point of nostalgia is far from random. For many, it represents the most “primitive” era of social media, when users primarily posted photos to preserve everyday moments — content that felt personal, relaxed, and purely entertainment-driven.

By contrast, nearly a decade later, today’s social media landscape is increasingly dominated by recommendation algorithms, advertising, and heavy commercialization, often causing content to feel more performative than emotionally authentic. At the same time, nostalgia tends to operate in ten-year cycles. As a result, this trend — which originated in Western countries — has quickly swept across Asia, with South кσяєα emerging as one of the most enthusiastic adopters.

Although BTS’s members have not officially participated in this trend, fans have ensured that their idols were not left out by “digging up” invaluable footage from a decade ago. Amid the wave of nostalgia, a video capturing 18-year-old Jungkook has υиєχρє¢тє∂ly gone viral once again.

In the clip currently taking social media by storm, Jungkook appears in the simplest look imaginable: a black pajama set printed with a yellow Daffy Duck design. At 18, he still sported his signature “bowl cut,” accentuating his youthful, baby-faced features. The video was filmed at around 3 a.m., as Jungkook and the BTS members were walking back to their studio.

That same year, Jimin not only shared the video but also posted an additional photo on the group’s Twitter account, showing Jungkook dozing off on a sofa while wearing the very same Daffy Duck pajamas. After an overnight walk and hours of intense work, the “Golden Maknae” appeared completely exhausted, drifting off to sleep in an irresistibly adorable state. It is precisely these “low-quality but high-emotion” moments from 2016 that have left fans deeply moved.

Looking back at the 2016 photo and comparing it to Jungkook’s recently released Rolling Stone magazine cover shoot, fans once again marveled at his remarkable growth. From an 18-year-old teenager in cartoon pajamas to a powerful global superstar dressed in a seductive yet refined outfit as a global brand ambαѕѕador for Calvin Klein, Jungkook’s transformation is striking — not only in appearance, but across his entire persona and career.

Ultimately, revisiting the past ten years is not merely about seeing how much Jungkook has grown, but about appreciating the effort he has poured into his journey. Yet fans also noted that despite a decade having pαѕѕed and him becoming a grown man, the purity and childlike soul within him have remained unchanged. Fans have continued to reshare the video, leaving numerous comments expressing their emotions:

- Jungkook really has always been the most adorable human and you can’t change my mind

- The child in him never grows, that's one thing I love about him. The most lovable, adorable person ever! WE LOVE YOU JUNGKOOK

- Jungkook in Daffy Duck pajamas at 3 AM, probably muttering lyrics to 'Euphoria' under his breath. 10 years has pαѕѕes 

- i am so unbelievably proud of how far he’s come and the incredible person he’s become. i’m so thankful for him and he will always be our forever singer

- Thank you for being so hardworking and showing us your talents for 10 years Jungkook you worked hard I’m very proud of you

- it’s been 10 years since this, i‘m so incredibly proud of the amazing person & artist you‘ve become jungkook 

- From a baby-faced teenager in pajamas to a global superstar — watching Jungkook grow like this is truly emotional

- No matter how much time pαѕѕes, his pure heart and gentle soul are still there

- This video feels like a warm hug from 2016. I can’t stop smiling

- Ten years later and he’s still the same Jungkook we fell in love with

- Low quality video, high emotional damage. I’m not okay

- Seeing this again just reminds me how hard he’s worked to become who he is today

- He grew up so beautifully, yet never ℓσѕт his innocence — that’s what makes him so special