bts biography 2022

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Korean: 방탄소년단 Japanese: 防弾少年団

• Introduction

BTS (Korean: 방탄소년단; Japanese: 防弾少年団; Bangtan Sonyeondan), also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Entertainment . BTS' musical style has evolved to include a wide range of genres. Their lyrics touch on the themes of mental health, troubles of school-age youth, loss, the journey towards loving oneself, and individualism. BTS debuted on June 12, 2013 with the song " No More Dream " from their first album " 2 COOL 4 SKOOL ". " Wings " became BTS' first album to sell one million copies in South Korea. By 2017, BTS crossed into the international music market, leading the Korean Wave into the United States and breaking numerous sales records, becoming the first Korean group to receive a certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their single " MIC Drop ". BTS is the first Korean act to top the Billboard 200 with their studio album " Love Yourself: Tear " and have since hit the top of the U.S. charts with their albums " Love Yourself: Answer " and " MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA ", making BTS the first group since The Beatles to earn three number one albums in less than a year. "Love Yourself: Answer" also broke South Korea's Gaon Album Chart's all-time monthly record previously set by Love Yourself: Tear and became the first Korean album certified Gold in the United States. As of 2019, BTS are worth more than $4.65 billion to South Korea's economy each year, or 0.3 percent of the country's GDP. BTS attracts one in every 13 foreign tourists that vist South Korea and were cited as one of the key acts boosting global music sales to $19 billion in 2018.

• Member's profiles

See pics for more Jin

Korean: 진 Japanese: ジン

See pics for more Suga

Korean: 슈가 Japanese: シュガ

See pics for more j-hope

Korean: 제이홉 Japanese: ジェイ ホープ

See pics for more RM

Korean: 아르엠 Japanese: アールエム

See pics for more Jimin

Korean: 지민 Japanese: ジミン

See pics for more V

Korean: 뷔 Japanese: ヴィ

See pics for more Jungkook

Korean: 정국 Japanese: ジョングク

• Discography

Bad Decisions (with Benny Blanco, Snoop Dogg)

Music show wins (164) most song wins total wins

• Music video views

Music video "I'm Goddamn Lost" BTS's RM Releases "LOST!" Music Video

News bts's rm dominates itunes charts across the globe with "come back to me", news big hit music declares legal action against slander and false information targeting bts, news bts continues to make history as ‘butter’ tops oricon’s five-year singles chart, news bts j-hope's special album reached #5 on billboard 200.

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• Music show wins (164)

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5 revealing takeaways from the BTS biography ‘Beyond the Story’

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On the Shelf

Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS

By Myeongseok Kang Translated by Anton Hur, Slin Jung and Clare Richards Flatiron: 544 pages, $45 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org , whose fees support independent bookstores.

The K-pop juggernaut known as BTS has dominated the American music scene in an unprecedented way. The group’s seven members — RM, Jin, SUGA , j-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — have performed at the Grammys and the American Music Awards, and most of their music videos have over 1 billion views on YouTube.

The band released “ My Universe ” with Coldplay, whose frontman, Chris Martin, seemed to speak for billions when he said, “It’s very special to me that the most popular artist in the world speaks Korean ... and it just feels very hopeful to me, in terms of thinking of the world as one family.”

“ Beyond the Story : 10-Year Record of BTS” is the first biography of the group, published in time for their 10-year anniversary. Written over three years, the book weaves in an oral history with group interviews by the biography’s author, Myeongseok Kang. Fans might be surprised at the shaggy underdog tale contained therein. Here are some major takeaways.

BTS was born in a K-pop dormitory

In the aughts, Korean idol groups were having their big moment, and not just domestically. The U.S. went wild over rapper Psy’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012 , proving that K-pop could find a place in the Western market. During this time, Korean teens swarmed to dance hagwons (private academies) where they could study dance, and make important connections in Seoul’s entertainment industry.

That industry revolves around “idols” — K-pop celebrities who perform in solo acts or groups. Large entertainment companies scout Korean teens to become idols or hold packed auditions to anoint idol “trainees,” whom they then mold into pop stars. SUGA and j-hope entered the idol audition process before joining Big Hit Entertainment as trainees; j-hope had been auditioning for other companies before his dance hagwon recommended him for Big Hit.

Entertainment & Arts

BTS: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The international superstar K-pop group BTS performed in an NPR Tiny Desk (home) concert on Monday morning.

Sept. 21, 2020

The trainees sign contracts and must live in a dormitory, where they eat, sleep and breathe K-pop until their debut. Jin describes the dorms as having “clothes strewn everywhere, cereal scattered on the floor” and plenty of dirty dishes, explaining that they worked 14-hours days and were simply too busy to live tidy lives.

While many of the BTS members wondered how they made it to their debut without quitting, Jin said adjusting to life in the dorm prepared him for the surreal state of being an “idol” in the K-pop world.

Breaking into the industry, BTS was not welcomed with open arms

Because the K-pop competition was so fierce, the odds of success as a group were incredibly slim. BTS members struggled at first with impostor syndrome, performance flubs and bullying from the public. Even before they made their debut on a televised showcase, naysayers were already dragging the group in the comments sections of online forums. Their first gig brought in only about a dozen fans.

It was a long slog from there. Jimin said the group would avoid making eye contact with other groups in green rooms. For the first time they were forced to compare themselves vocally with other K-pop idols.

“If I wanted to improve somehow, I had to practice my singing, but I didn’t know how to practice,” he said. “So I just kept singing blindly. Every time I made a mistake, I went to the bathroom to cry.”

Despite winning best new artist awards at many major Korean music awards shows in 2013, the group was shunned by peers and more established artists. According to the biography, no one in the industry would speak to them, they couldn’t approach anyone, and their nights consisted of little more than quick thank-you speeches at contest podiums before being shuttled back to the dorms.

Several times throughout the biography, Kang references various public insults aimed at BTS — but opts out of repeating the jibes.

Promoting BTS was a DIY endeavor for the group

In comparison to the “big three” Korean entertainment companies that debuted many of the era’s K-pop stars, Big Hit Entertainment might be considered more of a startup. It didn’t have the deep pockets to market BTS at the level of bigger players, so the group built a following instead through vlogging.

YouTube videos featured members dancing, rapping, spending Christmas together; individual vlogs were made in the style of confessional interviews; Jin launched his own “Eat Jin” vlog in which he filmed himself eating.

Kang writes that the vlog approach to self-promotion was “a complete rejection of genre norms in Korea’s idol industry, where every frame of every video was perfectly produced for public consumption.” And yet it was exactly this sense of spontaneity and intimacy that fueled BTS’ fanatical fan base.

BTS’ Suga on going solo, his love of hip-hop and the band’s future: ‘We’re real brothers, period’

With BTS currently on hiatus due to military conscription, its members are pursuing solo projects. For Suga, that means a bold new rap album and sold-out arena shows.

May 9, 2023

BTS had to address complaints their lyrics were misogynistic

It wasn’t all adoration from there on out: The band came under fire for two songs that fans said perpetuated gender inequality and misogyny. The 2014 song “War of Hormones” featured lyrics that translate to “Girls are like an equation / us guys just do them (yup) / Imma give it to you girl right now / A woman is the best present.” And the 2015 song “Joke” includes lyrics that translate to “”You’re the best woman, the best vagina .... But now that I think about it, you were never the best / I will stop calling you best and instead call you gonorrhea.”

In July 2016, Big Hit and BTS issued a statement responding to the complaints, saying, “We learned that music creation is not free from societal prejudice and fallacies,” and “Furthermore, we became aware that it may also not be desirable to define the value of women and their role in society from a male perspective.”

RM, who wrote the lyrics, told Kang that this early reckoning helped him recognize the problem in time to change his attitude and behavior.

According to Kang, gender sensitivity training is now obligatory for all all artists at Big Hit (now known as HYBE) before they can debut.

BTS gets snubbed, again, at 2023 Grammys

The K-pop superstars were shut out in two categories, including pop duo/group performance.

Feb. 5, 2023

The band still felt like outliers before winning AMA’s artist of the year in 2021

BTS had conflicting emotions when it came to awards shows . They struggled with industry peers in their early days, and felt they weren’t welcomed or respected as artists. But in 2021 they wound up on American soil just as a lull in the pandemic opened a window for a public appearance at the American Music Awards . They also happened to be up up for several major awards, including the most coveted: artist of the year.

SUGA recalled that their American television debut , in 2017, had been on the same stage for the same awards show (at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles). When the group won artist of the year, he couldn’t help thinking someone had made a mistake — or the world was playing a prank on him.

“I felt like we’d been outsiders or outliers until then,” RM said. “But now it felt, not like we were in the mainstream necessarily, but we were being welcomed more.”

Jung Kook said winning the award felt like the beginning of a new chapter: “Who would’ve thought we could win artist of the year at an American awards ceremony? It was so shocking. It sent chills down my spine.”

BTS fans know the feeling.

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April 14, 2024

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K-pop superstars BTS were on hiatus in 2023. It may have been their most interesting year yet

Dec. 21, 2023

BTS’ Suga starts his military service this week, and his label is urging fans not to visit him

Sept. 18, 2023

BTS’ Jungkook will co-headline 2023 Global Citizen in first solo festival gig

Sept. 6, 2023

BTS’ Suga begins military enlistment process: ‘We ask you for your continued love’

Aug. 7, 2023

No amateurs here. Competitors dazzle at Koreatown karaoke and K-pop dance competition

July 26, 2023

Jungkook of BTS drops solo single ‘Seven’ with a surprise guest and a show in NYC

July 14, 2023

Trans rights are under attack. Kim Petras fights back with more pop bangers about sex

June 21, 2023

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BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” is a Grammy-nominated South Korean group that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since its debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and the way they interact with their fans, BTS has established themselves as “21st century Pop Icons” breaking countless world records. While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, the band has mobilized millions of fans across the world (named ARMY) , collected four No. 1 songs in a span of 9 months, performed multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world, and been named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year 2020. BTS has been nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for the 63rd Grammy Awards and recognized with numerous prestigious awards like the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

• Date of Birth : 12th September, 1994
• Date of Birth : 4th December, 1992
• Date of Birth : 9th March, 1993
• Date of Birth : 18th February, 1994
• Date of Birth : 13th October, 1995
• Date of Birth : 30th December, 1995
• Date of Birth : 1st September, 1997

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BTS Members: Everything to Know About the K-Pop Supergroup

Get to know BTS' seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook

Kelsey Lentz is a former assistant editor at PEOPLE with over four years of experience working in the digital media industry. She left the brand in 2023.

BTS has taken the world by storm.

Since their debut in 2013, the South Korean boy band, whose name is an acronym for Bangtan Sonyeondan (which roughly translates to Bulletproof Boys), has topped the charts with their catchy pop music, collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry and grown one of the largest fanbases, affectionately dubbed ARMY.

The Grammy -nominated group is comprised of seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook. In the years since they exploded onto the scene, many of the members have gone on to pursue solo projects , in addition to creating hits like "Butter" with their bandmates.

While they are mainly known for their collective success, which includes their various charitable endeavors , each artist has begun to pave their own path and develop their individual fandoms.

"We do make sure that one person doesn't stand out," Jungkook told Miss Vogue in 2018. "But then we are really unique. We all have our style, so I think we all stand out. We each have our own roles and positions in the band and then we work together to make sure we all try hard for the Army."

Here's everything there is to know about the seven members of BTS.

RM (whose full name is Kim Namjoon) is the band's leader and main rapper. Born on Sept. 12, 1994, RM grew up in Ilsan, South Korea, and began rapping at a young age. He made some waves in the underground rap scene — performing under various names, including Large, Stealo and Runch Randa — and eventually caught the eye of the South Korean record label Big Hit Entertainment (later rebranded into HYBE), who formed BTS and recruited him to be the first official member in 2010.

Over the years, RM has been praised for his fluency in English. During an appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show , RM revealed that he taught himself English by watching the iconic sitcom Friends . "My English teacher was the sitcom Friends ," he explained. "Back in the days, when I was like 15, 14, it was quite like a syndrome for all the Korean parents to make their kids watch Friends . I thought I was kind of like a victim at that time, but right now, I'm the lucky one, thanks to my mother."

RM added that his mom bought him all 10 seasons of the hit show on DVD. "So firstly, I watched them with the Korean subtitles, and then next time, I watched with the English subtitles, and then I just removed it."

During their annual FESTA dinner in June 2022, BTS shared that they would be taking a break to pursue solo projects and figure out their next steps as a band.

"I always thought that BTS was different from other groups, but the problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that they don't give you time to mature," RM said during the event. "You have to keep producing music and keep doing something."

HYBE later clarified in a statement that the group was not taking a hiatus and would remain active "as a team while taking individual journey to further achieve personal growth."

RM made his official solo debut with his first studio album, INDIGO, in December 2022.

Jin (whose full name is Kim Seokjin) was born on Dec. 4, 1992, in Gwacheon, South Korea. He is the oldest member of the group and the first member to begin mandatory military service in South Korea — a requirement that must be fulfilled by able-bodied men in the country before they're 28 years old.

Often referred to as "Worldwide Handsome," Jin joined the group in 2013 as one of the four main vocalists. In 2017, Jin graduated from Konkuk University in South Korea, according to a tweet from BTS' official Twitter page, with a degree in acting and art.

Jin is also BTS' resident foodie. He previously had his own food web series, Eat Jin, and he is the co-owner of a Japanese restaurant called Ossu Seriomushi, located in Seoul, South Korea. In August 2022, Jin made use of his time off from BTS and got back in the kitchen, receiving a cooking lesson from celebrity chef and South Korean television personality Lee Yeon-bok, per Billboard .

During an interview with Weverse Magazine , Jin opened up about finding his confidence as an individual, outside of BTS.

"It used to be that any time I had to do something, I thought it was such a big deal. Like, how can I handle something this big right now," Jin told the outlet. "I would always feel discouraged, but my personality has changed a lot now, I think. I think the biggest change in my mind is that now, even if there's a major project in the works, I think I can do it now."

He added, "Now, instead of, 'How can I handle this?' it's 'I can handle this!' when I'm making songs for other people to listen to."

Jin released the solo single , "The Astronaut," which was co-written by Chris Martin of Coldplay , in October 2022.

Suga (whose full name is Min Yoongi) was born on March 9, 1993, in Daegu, South Korea. Prior to joining BTS, he made a name for himself as an underground rapper — performing under the stage name Gloss — and a producer.

These days, in addition to his involvement with BTS, Suga performs as a solo rapper under the alias Agust D, which is a play on his stage name and a reference to his hometown. He is also a commercial producer under the name "By Suga."

Of his different aliases, he told GQ Austalia , "All three are me. They each take up a third of myself, and one isn't more reflective of me than another. I simply give people a choice. These three sides of myself are incredibly different, so I'm giving people a choice to see me as they want."

In April 2022, Suga produced and was featured on "Gangnam Style" singer Psy's comeback song "That That."

"At first, because he's many years my senior and someone who's well-respected in the business I was quite nervous," Suga said of the collaboration, adding, "it felt like working with a childhood friend so it made the songwriting process that much more fun … We became besties in a way."

Suga made his foray into the fashion world in January 2023, when Italian fashion house Valentino announced him as their latest brand ambassador. Suga joined the company's Di.Vas ambassador group, which stands for Different Values, per WWD .

Pierpaolo Picciolo, Valentino's creative director, described Suga to the outlet as a "multifaceted artist" who expresses himself with "authenticity and energy." He added, "He perfectly embodies everything that DI.VA.s testimonials stand for: diversity, inclusivity, creativity, and passion."

In September 2023, Suga became the third member of BTS to enlist in the South Korean military.

J-Hope (whose full name is Jung Hoseok) was born on Feb. 18, 1994, in Gwangju, South Korea. J-Hope got his start as a dancer and won several competitions in South Korea. He was then recruited by Big Hit Entertainment in 2010 and began training as a rapper. Now, he is one of three rappers in the group, as well as a dancer, songwriter and producer. He was also the first BTS member to start a solo career.

In 2019, J-Hope teamed up with singer Becky G to release the song "Chicken Noodle Soup." The "Shower" singer opened up about her collaboration with J-Hope during an interview with Teen Vogue . "We were one of the first to do Korean, Spanish, and English. It's really badass," she told the outlet.

Of their language barrier, she added, "I'm so happy that it happened the way it did. To this day, it's one of those, 'I see you, you see me, and even though we may not necessarily have the deepest conversations, we get it' [relationships]."

The duo performed the song at Lollapalooza 2022 during J-Hope's historic headlining set , which made him the first South Korean artist to headline a main stage at a major American music festival.

The month prior, he released his debut solo album Jack in the Box and opened up to Rolling Stone about his solo career. "Since I'm the first one to go solo, I feel a sense of responsibility and there's definitely some pressure as well," he told the outlet. " Jack in the Box is filled only with things I personally wanted to do, almost to the point where I worry to myself, 'Did I focus too much on solely what I wanted to do?' I think that's where the half nervousness comes from."

He added that his bandmates RM and Jungkook were some of the first people to listen to the album and were incredibly supportive of it. "[RM] said, 'Wow, I didn't think you'd do music like this. I have a bit of brain freeze. And it's so you. The fact that you brought this music at this time… I really respect it, and I love that it's so you,' " he recalled of RM's reaction to the album.

Later in the interview, he said that while his solo career has been " fun " and "challenging," he misses his bandmates, explaining that his rehearsals can sometimes feel "lonely."

Another female artist that J-Hope is close with is Lizzo . In April 2022, Lizzo spoke about their friendship and revealed that J-Hope is " a great texter , expressive. He doesn't leave you on read." She added of BTS, "Good people, like really good energy."

On New Year's Eve 2023, J-Hope performed in Times Square in New York City for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest .

In February 2023, J-Hope became the second member of BTS to enlist in the South Korean military .

"We would like to inform our fans that j-hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement," the group's label, BIGHIT MUSIC, said in a statement. "We ask for your continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns."

Jimin (whose full name is Park Jimin) was born on Oct. 13, 1995, in Busan, South Korea. He is another one of the group's main dancers, and he studied dance in high school. He was the last to join BTS, becoming a member of the group in 2013.

In recent years, Jimin has also ventured out independently and taken on new projects. In early January 2023, he was featured on South Korean singer Taeyang's song "Vibe." Just a few days later, Dior announced Jimin as their new global brand ambassador .

The artist celebrated the news on Instagram, writing, "So thrilled to start a journey with @Dior!" He added in Korean, "Honored to be Dior's Global Ambassador! Stay tuned for a lot of things to come!"

Jimin has kept plans of a solo album close to his chest, however, in an interview with W Korea on Jan. 23, 2023, he hinted that there is an album in the works. "Lately, I am working on a solo album. That's what I have been up to. Nothing special … " he said subtly.

V (whose full name is Kim Taehyung) was born on Dec. 30, 1995, in Daegu, South Korea. He grew up singing and playing the saxophone, and he eventually joined BTS after auditioning for Big Hit Entertainment in 2013.

After making his official debut with BTS, V also took on acting projects and debuted as an actor in the historical drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. V also starred on In the Soop: Friendcation , a reality show on Disney+ that followed the singer and his real-life actor and musician friends, including Parasite star Choi Woo-shik, while they were on vacation. BTS originated the franchise with 2020's BTS In the Soop .

On his 25th birthday in December 2020, V released the song "Snow Flower," which is a collaboration with singer-songwriter, producer and rapper Peakboy. Upon its release, he also discussed an upcoming solo mixtape.

"This year feels like a stopped moment, and as the end of the year nears, I think there will be a lot of people with increased anxiety and depression. As [the mixtape] was late, I made [the song] in a hurry, feeling sorry for ARMY," he said. "For today, I hope that white flowers will come down to your hearts and feel some warm comfort and happiness."

In December 2021, when the BTS members joined Instagram, V broke two Guinness world records in the process. The singer broke the record for the fastest time to reach both 1 million followers and 10 million followers.

That same month, he released the holiday song, "Christmas Tree," which immediately topped the Billboard charts and earned him his first solo No. 1, per Billboard . The following year, he released a cover of the Christmas song "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" on Dec. 23, 2022.

V is reportedly single. However, he's rumored to be dating Jennie from Blackpink . The pair were spotted holding hands on a stroll through Paris in May 2023.

Jungkook, 25

Jungkook (whose full name is Jeon Jung-kook) was born on Sept. 1, 1997, in Busan, South Korea. He is the youngest member of BTS and ARMY affectionately call him "Kookie" or "Golden Maknae," which translates to "golden youngest."

When he was a teenager, Jungkook auditioned for the Korean talent show Superstar K during its third season in 2011. While he never made it to the finals, his audition did get him recognized by a few talent agencies, including Big Hit Entertainment. He began training under the label and joined BTS in 2013 as one of the four main vocalists and a dancer.

Jungkook was inspired by his bandmate J-Hope to make his own music as a solo artist. "It was really funny. After hearing the album, [Jungkook] suddenly went to his studio," J-Hope told Rolling Stone in July 2022. "I think he felt the motivation to start . I love that one of our greatest motivators is one another."

ABC/Paula Lobo

While his solo album is still in the works, he has released a few solo tracks, including "My You," "Still With You," and "Dreamers," which was part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup official soundtrack.

In July 2023, Jungkook made his solo performance debut at  Good Morning America' s Summer Concert Series in New York City. He performed three songs, including his single "Seven," before severe weather rolled over Central Park.

A few months later, Jungkook became the fourth member of BTS to enlist in the South Korean military.

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Beyond The Story: BTS biography is a humanising, literary portrayal of K-pop ’s world-leading  stars

PhD candidate, Media and Communication, University of Leeds

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Jenessa Williams does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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In a climate of ever-increasing competition, it’s a real feat when any band makes it to their tenth anniversary bigger than ever. Such is the case with K-pop group BTS (short for bangtan sonyeondan , “bulletproof boy scouts” in Korean). The band have released their first official biography – Beyond The Story – to look back on their decade-long path to international, record-breaking success .

Initially rumoured to be a Taylor Swift autobiography , pre-orders had made the book a bestseller before its subject was announced. It was released to tie in with both BTS’s anniversary and their hiatus, undertaken so that the members could enrol in mandatory Korean military service .

For fans who have been there from the beginning, the book is a souvenir to covet. For western audiences who have discovered K-pop more recently, it’s a pleasant reintroduction to the group’s early incubation years. Having sold well over 40 million albums worldwide – and become the youngest ever recipients of the South Korean Order of Cultural Merit – BTS are among Korea’s most influential ambassadors.

Behind The Story was co-written by South Korean journalist Kang Myeong-seok and the band’s seven members. Following the oral history format that has benefited popular music journalism books such as Lizzy Goodman’s Meet Me In The Bathroom (2011), it tracks the band’s history across 544 pages, culminating in the release of their most recent anthology album, Proof (2022).

One by one, and in their own words, we meet J-Hope , RM , Suga , Jungkook , Jin , Jimin and V . They recall their nervousness at becoming K-pop trainees, their different motivations and the parts of performance they felt most vulnerable about. Each knew that they would have to work impossibly hard if they were to compete at the level K-pop culture demands.

Through anecdotes both humorous and moving, we learn how they bonded as a group. The seven teenagers, who were from completely different walks of life, were set up in a bunkhouse to learn how to sing and dance as a slick professional outfit.

In telling the story of BTS, Beyond The Story also tells the story of K-pop and how its dynamics have changed over the years. Fans who cottoned onto BTS in their international breakthrough era of songs such as Boy With Luv (2019) or Dynamite (2020) may assume that they always traded in upbeat pop. But their early years were actually deeply rooted in American Hip-hop , a genre K-pop has borrowed from since the early 1990s.

While K-pop groups often pride themselves on a style of perfectly-synchronous choreography known as kalgunmu (razor-sharp dancing), BTS’s hip-hop influence allowed them a certain looseness. Their musical hybridity helped to bring their individual personalities to life.

While it is true that Korean management companies closely guide their stars’ public image, and work them hard from a very young age , Beyond The Story challenges the stereotype of K-pop artists as mere performance puppets. There are several moments where members recall direct involvement in styling, choreography or songwriting. They also discuss using their platform to speak up on a range of social and political issues .

The group’s founding label Big Hit was considered small when they launched. This meant the group were frequently underestimated – even mocked – by their peers. But this underdog status encouraged them to experiment with DIY forms of self-promotion. The members blogged directly to a growing fanbase , for example, instead of relying on management-led channels.

It’s a model that has paid off. Though K-pop still evokes images of impressive polish and unison performance, newer groups such as Seventeen , Le Serrafim and Tomorrow X Together have been able to develop a model which matches feats of dance athleticism with more vulnerable, personal lyricism. This allows them to be both relatable and aspirational for worldwide audiences.

Read more: Hallyu! The Korean Wave at the V&A is an unflinching look at the country's creative rise

A new wave of music biography

Some prior understanding of the K-pop industry may be required to get the most out of the book (knowing how groups are typically assembled, for example, or how competitive Korean TV shows work). But as a contribution to modern music journalism, Beyond The Story is valuable. As they learn of the band’s insatiable work ethic, discipline and brotherly commitment, readers will feel as if they know each of the seven members much better, with a deeper understanding of how their music has developed since their debut.

It’s also highly visual. Lush photography neatly punctuates the chapters, guiding the reader smoothly through each BTS era. With pages that mark the track listings and specific details of each release, it’s easy to turn to your favourite album or treat the book as a reference text – a thoughtful, encyclopaedic blueprint for future artist biographies to come.

The use of QR codes throughout (330, to be exact) is also a smart innovation, recognising that fans might want to reminisce about (or discover) the group’s music videos, dance practices and video logs for themselves as they read. In this way, the book becomes a living museum, truly immersive and interactive.

Of course, the BTS story is far from over. Amid their hiatus, the members are experiencing international success with solo singles. Jimin recently became the first Korean soloist to top the US Billboard charts. At a time when K-pop feels bigger than ever, their success story can only inspire others who are ready to ride the unstoppable Korean wave to reach for their dreams, or indeed, for their local bookstore.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here .

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What to know about BTS ahead of their Grammys performance

You’ve probably heard BTS’ second English-language single “Butter” on the radio, or maybe you’ve heard the song’s remix with Megan Thee Stallion on TikTok.

BTS is a global K-pop phenomenon. In 2020, the group became the first K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination with their hit "Dynamite." This year, nominated for best pop duo/group performance for “Butter,” BTS could become the first K-pop group to snag a Grammy. 

The nominations are a sliver in their record-breaking history. Among their accomplishments? BTS was the first K-pop group to reach No. 1 on Billboard 200 , and holds the Guinness record for the fastest time taken to reach one million fans on TikTok. They are the first group since the Beatles to earn three No. 1-charting albums in a single year.

Get to know the chart-topping boy band ahead of their Grammy performance Sunday . Keep in mind the group may be smaller than usual. On March 29, BTS' management company BigHit Music said BTS member Jungkook tested positive for COVID , four days after band mate J-Hope was announced to have a confirmed case . No word on whether the K-Pop stars will join for the performance.

Who is BTS?

BTS is a seven-member K-pop boy band assembled by K-pop producer Bang Shi Hyuk of Big Hit Entertainment .

Known for their style and signature synchronized dancing, BTS is made of seven 20-something singers and rappers, including frontman RM (whose real name is Kim Nam Joon), Jungkook (Jeon Jung Kook), V (Kim Tae Hyung), Suga (Min Yoon Gi), Jin (Kim Seok Jin), Jimin (Park Ji Min) and J-Hope (Jung Ho Seok). 

The group debuted in the summer of 2013 with the hip-hop song "No More Dream." Their sound has gone through distinct eras since then. The release of "Wings" in 2017 marked the third BTS era, which was notable because each member had his own solo song. "Dynamite," released in 2020, was their first English-language single.

They’ve collaborated with artists like Sia, Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion, and Troye Sivan for recent albums and appear on Coldplay’s 2021 “Music of The Spheres" and Lauv’s 2020 "How I'm Feeling."

What’s in a name? The meaning behind the acronym

BTS is an acronym which has two meanings. As the group explained during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show in 2018 , the name means "beyond the scene" in English, and "Bangtan Sonyeondan" in Korean, which translates to "Bulletproof Boy Scouts."

Their 'ARMY' is strong

BTS fans call themselves the ARMY. The official fandom name is also an acronym: It stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.

Their group's fanbase spans the globe, and is especially palpable on social media. BTS holds the Guinness World Record for most Twitter engagements in 2019. The group has over 38 million followers on Twitter and almost 62 million followers on Instagram, the most for any music group, per Guinness World Records . All seven band members got their own Instagram accounts in 2021.

The fans' vocal support led to BTS ending Justin Bieber's six-year streak for Billboard’s Top Social Artist in 2017, and winning the award every year since. Their presence is more tangible if you ever attend a concert, and you hear the ARMY's fan chants , sung in coordination to the songs.

"They are the most special people," RM said of the ARMY during an appearance on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert . V added, "Our fans are the best. They are our motivation."

They’ve spoken out about climate change, youth activism and COVID-19 vaccines

BTS has spoken in front of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly three times ( once virtual ). The first time was in 2018 to promote the launch of Generation Unlimited, a UNICEF campaign built to empower young people to seek education and build careers and confidence.

In September, BTS returned to the General Assembly at its SDG Moment to spotlight sustainable development goals. Invited by South Korean President Moon Jae-in, the group talked about climate change and confirmed they had been vaccinated against COVID-19 .

"Butter" is their second English-language single

You could say the single, which came out in 2021, is "smooth like butter," as the lyrics go. Speaking to Billboard , RM said "Butter" is all "positive vibes" and "upbeat energy."

Have the chorus memorized ahead of their Grammys performance, so you can feel like a member of the ARMY: "Side step, right, left to my beat / High like the moon, rock with me, baby / Know that I got that heat / Let me show you ‘cause talk is cheap / Side step, right, left to my beat / Get it, let it roll."

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Everything We Know About BTS' New 2022 Album 'Proof'

Later in 2022, BTS will release a three-part anthology of key tracks, new songs, and previously unreleased rarities. Here's everything to know about 'Proof.'

There's a new stirring in the fabric of the BTS universe — a big one.

On June 10, the GRAMMY-nominated pop juggernauts will release Proof , a collection of tracks from throughout their discography, as well as brand new tracks, never-before-heard demos and more.

Spanning three discs, Proof promises to celebrate the band's past, present and future through a lovingly curated song cycle. If members of the BTS Army ever wanted to hear demos of tracks like "Jump," I Need U" and "DNA" — as well as an a cappella version of Jungkook's "Still With You" — they're in luck.

In the wake of Proof 's recently released tracklisting — featuring well-known tunes like "Dynamite" and "Butter" (and so much more), here's everything GRAMMY.com could find about the career-spanning compilation by a giant of 21st-century pop.

It's Called Proof , And It's Out June 10 Via Big Hit Music

That's according to the official press release.

It'll Contain A Wealth Of Treasures, Previously Unreleased Or Not

According to said press release: "The new album consists of three CDs that contain brand new tracks, members' selections, demo versions, unreleased tracks and more."

Proof Acts As A "Chronicle Of BTS"

The first disc begins with a remastered version of "Born Singer," from all the way back in 2013, which the press release describes as "BTS' candid emotions they felt after one month of their debut." The disc ends with the lead single "Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)."

The second disc consists of "15 solo and sub-unit tracks," beginning with the new track "Run BTS," and highlights each BTS member's distinct tastes and personality.

The third disc, only available on CD, is said to be "dedicated to the fans," featuring unreleased tracks and demo versions that any fan will eat up — as well as a new fan song, "For Youth."

Read More: Smooth Like "Butter": How BTS' GRAMMY-Nominated Mega Hit Came To Be

The Album Celebrates Nine Years Of BTS

Can you believe it's been almost a decade? Yet it feels like the Bangtan Boys are just getting started.

BTS Initially Teased The Music Back In April

During their Permission To Dance Onstage concert in Las Vegas, BTS shared short clips with the text "We Are Bulletproof" and "2022. 06. 10." While this initially fueled speculation that a new album was coming, the release wound up materializing as Proof .

They Shared The Tracklist On Instagram

It's in the Highlights section of their Stories , where BTS also announced that "Yet to Come" will be the lead single.

They Released A Trailer, Too

See below — and watch this space as more details of Proof are unveiled!

K-Pop Group SEVENTEEN Talk New Album Your Choice, Love And Growing Together

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for TSX Entertainment

New Music Friday: Listen To Songs & Albums From Jungkook, Meghan Trainor, Peggy Gou, & More

Bask in the pre-summer magic with fresh musical offerings from acts as diverse as Ski Mask the Slump God, Kaytranada, Thomas Rhett, and more.

We're still a couple of weeks away from the summer solstice, but the smell of cookouts and chlorine is already in the air. As parts of the country experience summer weather, there's plenty of musical delights ready to soundtrack the start of summer. From pop to alt-country to rap, this New Music Friday sprouted sounds for listeners of all persuasions. Here's a cross-section of today's songs and albums to check out, from Peggy Gou 's debut album to the latest single from Jungkook .

Meghan Trainor — 'Timeless'

Just a few weeks before Meghan Trainor 's breakthrough smash, "All About That Bass," turns 10, the GRAMMY winner rings in the anniversary in major fashion: a brand new album.

Trainor's sixth LP, Timeless , an irresistible split difference between bubblegum pop and woo-wop. Back in March, she released the lead single "Been Like This" with T-Pain ; the "Buy U a Drank" star also appears on "Love on Hold."

"I cannot believe it has been 10 years since this all started. I have never been more grateful for this life that my incredible Megatronz have gifted me with," Trainor said in a statement — "Megatronz" referring to her rabid fanbase. "This new album and tour are all for them and my beautiful family."

Peggy Gou — 'I Hear You'

I Hear You might be South Korean DJ and singer Peggy Gou's debut album, but she declares it to be much more than that.

"It embodies countless hours of dedication in my journey to create something timeless, and is a testament to the power of listening, to ourselves and to each other," Gou said in a statement . 

And of the video to "1+1=11," in all of its shadowplay: "By bringing together dance — embodied exploration of space — with colorful shadows, lights, and mirrors, I was able to bring some of the key interests that have long shaped my art into an entirely new context."

If all this resonates with you, I Hear You is — well, a must-hear.

Listen: Leap Into AAPI Month 2024 With A Playlist Featuring Laufey, Diljit Dosanjh, & Peggy Gou

Orville Peck, Diplo & Kylie Minogue — "Midnight Ride"

As Pride Month kicked off, Kylie Minogue brought out two very special guests at Outloud Fest at West Hollywood Pride: her newest collaborators, Orville Peck and Diplo . The trio debuted the slinky, sparkling "Midnight Ride," a winning trifecta of their diverse talent pools.

Just a few days later, the studio version has arrived. In its full-fledged wonder, the track is just as much of a ride on record as it was on stage.

The single is the latest offering from Peck's forthcoming duets album, Stampede ; though the full album's release date has yet to be announced, the alt-country star teased the exciting collabs to come with the seven-song Stampede, Vol. 1 on May 10, which featured Elton John and Bernie Taupin , Nathaniel Rateliff and more.

Glass Animals — "A Tear in Space (Airlock)"

On July 19, English indie favorites Glass Animals will declare I Love You So F***ing Much with their fourth album. They previously released the advance single "Creatures in Heaven." "A Tear in Space (Airlock)" arrives from smack in the middle of the forthcoming album.

A celestial, pulsing track replete with delicious production details, "A Tear in Space (Airlock)" marks another evolutionary step for the Oxford-rooted group. Their smash "Heat Waves" might be in the rearview, but they still know how to craft a song for just that.

Read More: Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Glass Animals' Dave Bayley On The Group's Slow Burn To Massive Success With "Heat Waves" — And How It Almost Never Happened

KAYTRANADA — 'TIMELESS'

The Haitian-Canadian producer, rapper, singer, and DJ born Louis Celestin has produced everyone from Anderson .Paak to Alicia Keys to Victoria Monét , but he's just as compelling when it's his name on the record sleeve. The two-time GRAMMY winner proves just that with his third album, TIMELESS . Of course, the producer recruited several collaborators for the project, and the list is a panoply of associates from across his career — not only .Paak, but Childish Gambino , Don Toliver, and more.

Maluma & Blessd — '1 of 1'

"A full production between two Colombian artists had never been done before," rapper and singer Maluma brassily proclaimed in a recent press statement. "If it's the first, it can't be done twice."

He's referring to the (aptly titled) 1 of 1 , his new EP with fellow Colombian great Blessd. Co-produced by MadMuscik and the RudeBoyz, this six-pack is a reflection of the clear admiration and respect between the two reggaetón practitioners.

This pre-summer weekend, grab a bestie, hit the road, crank up tunes like "Call Me" and "Goyard/GTA," and let that feeling flow through you, too.

Ski Mask the Slump God — '11th Dimension'

Five years after his last LP, Floridan rap phenom Ski Mask the Slump God returns by taking listeners to the 11th Dimension .

If 11th Dimension 's advance singles — the jovial "Ooga Booga!", the propulsive "Headrush" — whetted your thirst, get ready for the other 19 tracks, like head-spinning highlights "By Myself," "KillStreak" and "Him Jung Un."

And while Ski Mask the Slump God takes most of those tracks himself, the album's five features are equally as thrilling: Future and ATL Jacob, Skillibeng, Corbin, and two posthumous duets with late rap stars XXXTentacion and Juice Wrld .

Generally, when an artist has a blast making music, it seeps through the grooves — and Thomas Rhett had an absolute ball making his new album, About A Woman , out Aug. 23.

"I did this with a new batch of producers, a lot of different songwriters. This is the funnest album that I've made, I think," he told Backstage Country . "This is a very, very 'me' album. If you liked Tangled Up and Life Changes , Center Point Road , this album is sort of that on steroids." He's already revealed the first single, "Beautiful as You"; its follow-up, "Gone Country," is a rough-hewn statement of down-home purpose. Every line and lick is true to his dictum that he "got back to the root of why I love to make music and put smiles on faces." 

Let that smile cross your face as you prepare for your summer adventures — and we'll see you on next week's New Music Friday!

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Photo: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images

Stream RM's New Album 'Right Place, Wrong Person': See The Tracklist, "LOST!" Video & Special Guests

The second solo album from BTS' RM further displays his knack for genre-bending experimentation, while also delving deeper into his vulnerable side. Listen to the new album here, and get to know the project's featured artists, tracklist and more.

As the world patiently awaits the return of BTS in full force, each member continues to deliver solo projects to show off their individual talents. And 18 months after his last album, RM is back.

With a discography that hops between pop, R&B, and hip-hop, RM returns to the spotlight with his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person . The project tells the relatable story of an individual who is a creature of habit, but slowly comes to find solace in foreign spaces.

Below, listen to RM's latest album, and discover more about how he's revealing a new side of his artistry with Right Place, Wrong Person .

The Tracklist

After RM's debut solo album, 2022's Indigo, had 10 tracks (including features from the likes of Erykah Badu , Anderson .Paak ), he ups the tally with an 11-song tracklist this time around.

Here is the complete tracklist for Right Place, Wrong Person :

1. Right People, Wrong Place 2. Nuts 3. out of love 4. Domodachi (feat. Little Simz) 5. ? (Interlude) 6. Groin 7. Heaven 8. LOST! 9. Around the world in a day (feat. Moses Sumney) 10. ㅠㅠ (Credit Roll) 11. Come back to me

The Creative Visuals

Two weeks before the album dropped, he unveiled the music video for "Come Back to Me," the lead single from Right Place, Wrong Person . Directed by the critically acclaimed actor Lee Sung Jin, the music video narrates the tale of feeling like an outsider and yearning for a sense of belonging in unfamiliar surroundings.

Then, on the day Right Place, Wrong Person arrived, RM added to release-day excitement with another intriguing visual, this time for "LOST!" The five-minute clip sees RM as the star of "The Lost! Show," where he and a group endure an eerie whirlwind of scenarios they can't seem to get out of. It's equal parts dramatic and slapstick, and another clever display of RM's creative versatility.

Noteworthy Guests

The featured artists on Right Place, Wrong Person — British rapper Little Simz on "Domodachi" and art-pop artist Moses Sumney on "Around the world in a day" — underscore RM's ability to interlace his own musical style with artists from various genres.

The album also has some notable behind-the-scenes collaborators as well. Production credits include Kim Han-joo, keyboardist and vocalist from the South Korean rock band Silica Gel, on "LOST!" and GRAMMY-nominated jazz duo DOMi & JD Beck on "? (Interlude)."

On "Come back to me" — which RM initially debuted last August during a surprise performance at BTS bandmate Suga's encore concert in Seoul — he delves into the album's central theme of wanting to venture into unknown areas, but feeling the intense urge to stay with what's already known. The track was composed and arranged by OHHYUK from the South Korean indie-rock band Hyukoh, but also features credits from artists Kuo, JNKYRD, and San Yawn.

But no matter who RM is working with, his own talent and prowess as a creator always shines. Right Place, Wrong Person presents a diverse array of tracks marked by sheer vulnerability, honesty, and sensitivity — a masterful continuation of a remarkable solo journey.

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Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

J-Hope's Road To 'Hope On The Street Vol.1,' From Falling Back In Love With Dance To Tying Together His Global Influences

After 11 years in BTS, j-hope revisits the passion that started it all: dancing. Ahead of his new docuseries and special album, 'Hope on the Street Vol.1,' discover the full-circle journey that brought him back to his roots.

"Just dance," j-hope commands on his 2018 BTS solo track.

For the international sensation, that's what it's always been about: expressing himself through movement. Now, 11 years after the launch of the seven-piece group, j-hope takes a U-turn to where it all began, before his K-pop idol days, street dancing between his hometown, Gwangju, and Seoul, South Korea.

Out March 29, j-hope's new special album, Hope on the Street Vol.1 , is a musical ode to dancing that boasts a "vibrant collection of six tracks spanning a diverse array of sounds and moods that showcase j-hope's musical prowess and depth." Like j-hope's global perspective of dance, the EP expands borders and sounds, featuring appearances from HYBE labelmate HUH YUNJIN of LE SSERAFIM as well as American stars Nile Rodgers and Benny Blanco .

The mini-album will also be accompanied by a docuseries of the same name, premiering on Amazon Prime Video on March 28. According to a press statement, the six-part project will "highlight j-hope's story and love for dancing as he begins a new journey."

Ahead of Hope on the Street Vol.1 's arrival, take a look at how j-hope's origins inspired the project — from his enrollment in a local dance academy to songwriting with J. Cole on their 2023 single, "on the street."

Finding Purpose In Dance

Long before becoming a global superstar, j-hope (born Jung Ho-seok) first discovered his love for dancing on the playground.

"The school I went to had a dance lesson for 30 minutes in the morning. They would play a dance video, and we would copy it as exercise," j-hope recalled in a 2013 interview for the BTS Japan Fanclub magazine. "My friends around me would praise me, saying, 'You're really good!'"

Eventually, those recess workouts turned into a passion. J-hope began practicing moves at home and freestyling at local talent shows. By the sixth grade, he told his parents he was serious about it, enrolling him in Gwangju's Joy Dance Academy.

While at the Academy, j-hope also joined the underground dance crew, NEURON, building a reputation under the name "Smile Hoya." Though he hasn't participated in the troupe since his pre-BTS days, he still recognizes it as one of the most influential parts of his career.

He'll even honor the crew with Hope on the Street , which includes a track called "NEURON," featuring Gaeko and yoonmirae . He will also return to Gwangju in the closing chapter of the docuseries.

It's not the first time j-hope shouted out Gwangju, either. His 2019 collab with Becky G, "Chicken Noodle Soup," paid tribute to his beloved upbringing: "From Gwangju, one gang of you-know-what/ Geumnam Chungjang Street, that's my Harlem." (The same track also foreshadowed his latest release: "Hope on the street, now it's my own way.")

Forging A New Life In Music With BTS

J-hope continued to have a diligent mindset as a trainee at Big Hit Entertainment. But as revealed in BTS' 2018 docuseries, Burn the Stage , training and dieting became emotionally and physically tolling. At one point, j-hope even considered leaving the group.

"I couldn't do things I wanted to do," he revealed during a 2021 You Quiz on the Block segment . "To be honest, I wanted to play games. I want to go out and hang out. I wanted to stay with my family. I had to give up a lot of things from that perspective."

The stress became so intense that he bought a one-way ticket to Gwangju. But ultimately, the brotherhood and love of music he formed with BTS gave him the courage to return: "I came back because I trusted you," j-hope recounted.

And they trusted him, too: "I told [Big Hit] that we needed Jung Ho-seok. We couldn't debut without him," RM responded. Meanwhile, Jung Kook delivered a tearful speech to encourage him to stay with the band.

The longer he stayed, the more j-hope began to love other sides of music, like producing and songwriting. Now, he has become one of the main writers for the group's tracks, alongside RM and Suga , and has co-penned all of his solo projects, including Hope on the Street .

Spreading His Wings With Two Full-Length Solo Projects

After nearly 10 projects with BTS, j-hope delivered his debut mixtape, Hope World , in March 2018.

"My fantasy had always been making a music video and performing with the music I had created. I wanted to put my own story to music and share it with the world," he told Time magazine upon Hope World ’s release.

It's an introduction to j-hope the artist, inviting listeners to step into Hope World , a colorful kaleidoscope of different cultures and styles — something that has also been a key part of his dance journey.

Though, j-hope still wanted to dig deeper into his artistry. He developed his sound, becoming more vulnerable in his lyricism on tracks like 2020's "Outro: Ego." By 2022, he was ready to drop his first studio album, Jack in the Box .

Where Hope World showcases j-hope's dance performance, Jack in the Box highlights "my artistry in music ." But Hope on the Street paints the full image of the phenom — part musician, part dancer.

Laying The Groundwork With "On The Street," Featuring J. Cole

One of j-hope's earliest musical influences was J. Cole. The rapper inspired j-hope's stage name and the title of his mixtape, which pays homage to 2011's Cole World . In 2022, j-hope honored Cole with "Born Singer," the BTS re-write of Cole's "Born Sinner." So, a celebratory meeting was in order when they were both scheduled to perform at Lollapalooza (where j-hope made history as the first Korean soloist to headline).

"[He's] my idol," j-hope said to Variety in 2023. Since they met, he "couldn't stop thinking about how great it would be if we could make music together." He reached out to J. Cole, and "on the street" was born.

As j-hope told Variety , the "street" concept became a metaphor for life: "The street is a place where people can actually encounter and feel real lives of people: a child's innocent mind; first encounter with someone and falling in love; someone in an urgent moment;" and so much more. It's the place where he learned to love dance — and where he grew a love for music and artists like J. Cole, who called their collab "a blessing" in the behind-the-scenes footage .

And thus, "on the street" became the springboard for his forthcoming project, Hope on the Street .

Unveiling A Docuseries And A Multi-Part Project

By the tail end of 2023, each member of BTS had enlisted in mandatory military service. But even during the septet's hiatus, j-hope managed to serve up a surprise announcement of Hope on the Street on Feb. 17 with a fitting montage of dance videos.

The joint docuseries and album follows j-hope's journey of self-discovery, accompanying his former instructor, Boogaloo Kin, as they dance their way through the streets of Osaka, Seoul, Paris, New York, and his hometown while meeting other dancers.

" Hope on the Street , my roots, the most important part of my life. This is how j-hope danced. I wanted to share this story with you," he said in an interview for the documentary .

After years of breaking records and making history as a member of BTS, it was "a chance to look back on my life," he explained in another trailer . "I realized the answer was in song and dance."

Culminating j-hope's skills in both art forms, Hope on the Street is a love letter to everything that's made him who he is today — and proof he'll never forget it.

6 Takeaways From 'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star'

Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

9 Essential K-Pop/Western Collabs: From BTS And Megan Thee Stallion, To IVE And Saweetie

From Jungkook and Usher's tribute to their shared musical idol, to BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez' sugary sweet collab, K-pop and Western artists of all genres are joining forces to create killer hits.

It’s impossible to ignore the growing global popularity of K-pop. Although Korean pop has been around for decades, the genre's meteoric worldwide success over the past 10 years is reminiscent of Beatlemania and the early 2000s American boy band craze. With a steady increase year-over-year in album sales and K-pop groups touring the U.S. and Europe, interest in K-pop shows no signs of slowing down .

Initially launched in South Korea as a music subgenre with Western pop, R&B and hip-hop influences in the '90s, the K-pop industry is valued at around $10 billion .

Given the worldwide appetite for K-pop, several Western musicians are keen to partner with K-pop acts crossing over into more international markets, often with songs sung partially or entirely in English. While K-pop artists do not need Western artists to be successful — BTS sold out London’s Wembley stadium in under 90 minutes back in 2019, and BLACKPINK made Coachella history twice with performances in 2019 and 2023 — K-pop's massive fanbase and multi-genre influence make it an ideal collaboration for everyone from rappers and singers to electronic DJs.

But don’t take our word for it. Here are nine of the most iconic K-Pop/Western collaborations (not in any order; they are all great songs!).

Usher and Jungkook - "Standing Next to You (Usher Remix)" (2024)

The maknae (the youngest member of the group) of global K-pop superstars BTS and the King of R&B are both having banner years: Jungkook released his debut solo album, and Usher just performed at the Super Bowl . 

The Bangtan Boys have cited Usher as a significant influence (even singing a callback to his 2001 hit "U Got It Bad" in their No. 1 song, "Butter"), so BTS fans were delighted when the Jungkook tapped Usher for a remix of "Standing Next to You." The song marks the fourth single from his Billboard 200 chart-topping debut album, Golden . 

Both singers count Michael Jackson as a major influence. In their collaboration video, Usher and Jungkook pay tribute to the King of Pop as they slide, pop, and lock across the slick floor of an abandoned warehouse. 

John Legend and Wendy of Red Velvet - "Written in the Stars" (2018)

R&B singer/pianist John Legend was the perfect choice for an R&B ballad with Wendy, the main vocalist of K-pop quintet Red Velvet. The final song on the five-track SM Station x 0 , a digital music project, "Written in the Stars," is a beautiful, mid-tempo love song. A bit of a departure from K-pop’s typical upbeat sound, Wendy and Legend are in perfect harmony over a warm yet melancholic rhythm.

As Red Velvet’s main vocalist, Wendy was the ideal voice for this collaboration. Additionally, she split her childhood between Canada and the U.S., and has been comfortable singing in English since Red Velvet debuted in 2014. This wasn't her first collab with a Western artist: In 2017, she released an English-language version of the pop ballad " Vente Pa’Ca " with Ricky Martin . 

BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez - "Ice Cream" (2020)

A powerhouse debut single, BLACKPINK collaborated with pop royalty Selena Gomez on the massive 2020 hit "Ice Cream."

An electropop-bubblegum fusion filled with dairy double entendres, "Ice Cream" was an enormous success for both Gomez and the BLACKPINK girls. The track peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has racked up nearly 900 million YouTube views to date. 

Written by a consortium of hitmakers, including Ariana Grande and BLACKPINK’s longtime songwriter and producer Teddy Park (a former K-pop idol himself), "Ice Cream" shows that YG Entertainment’s golden foursome and Gomez were the correct partnership for this track. The pop-trap bop marked the first time a K-pop girl group broke the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and immediately solidified BLACKPINK as global superstars. 

Snoop Dogg and Monsta X - "How We Do" (2022)

West Coast rap godfather Snoop Dogg has quietly become one of the go-to Western acts for K-pop collabs, working with Psy, BTS, Girls’ Generation and 2NE1. K-pop is the Dogg Father's "guilty pleasure, " and he performed at the Mnet Asian Music Awards with Dr. Dre in 2011. Without Snoop's love of K-pop, the world might not have gotten this fun and energetic collaboration with Snoop and Monsta X, a five-member boy group under Starship Entertainment.

The song appears in The Spongebob Movie: Sponge On The Run in a dance segment where Snoop, decked out in a pink and purple Western suit, is accompanied by zombie dancers. Though we do not see the members of Monsta X, their harmonious crooning is the perfect accent to Snoop Dogg’s trademark casual West Coast flow.

BTS and Steven Aoki - "MIC Drop (Steve Aoki remix)" (2017)

No K-pop list is complete with a nod to the magnificent seven, and "MIC Drop" is one of their catchiest Western collabs to date. 

"Mic Drop" is quintessential BTS: a nod to hip-hop with a heavy bass line and fun choreography. While the original version of "MIC Drop" is excellent, the remix with EDM superstar DJ Steve Aoki and rapper Desiigner cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the first of many hits for the Bulletproof Boy Scouts. 

Released at a time when BTS were just starting their ascent to chart-topping Western dominance, the track's boastful lyrics and tension-building electro-trap production offered an excellent introduction to the group that would soon become international superstars. 

JYJ, Kanye West and Malik Yusef - "Ayyy Girl" (2010)

A truly deep K-pop cut, you’d be hard-pressed to find many people who know that Kanye West collaborated with a first-generation K-pop group over 13 years ago. Released as the lead single on JYJ’s English-language album The Beginning , West’s signature bravado and wordplay are on full display over a track that sounds like the Neptunes produced it.

The song garnered attention in the U.S., but after a string of bad luck (including a severely delayed U.S. visa process and issues with their management company, SM Entertainment), JYJ could not capitalize on their American success. The group continued to see success in Korea and Japan in the early 2010s but never made a splash in the Western market again.

IVE and Saweetie - "All Night" (2024)

A reimagining of Icona Pop’s 2013 song of the same name, "All Night," sees fourth-generation K-pop girl group IVE partner with rap’s resident glamor girl Saweetie for a funky, electronic-infused pop song that’s perfect for dancing from dusk till dawn. 

"All Night" is the first English song for the Starship Entertainment-backed group. Interestingly, none of the members of IVE have individual lines in the song, choosing instead to sing the lyrics in a six-part harmony. This choice is exciting but fun, giving listeners the feeling that they are more than welcome to sing along. 

The girl group embarked on their first 24-date world tour in January 2024, with stops in the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America. Given their quest for global dominance, there’s a good chance "All Night" won’t be IVE's last English-language release.

BTS and Megan Thee Stallion - "Butter (Remix)" (2021)

BTS’ "Butter" had already spent three weeks atop the Billboard charts and was declared the "song of the summer" when the group’s label announced Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion as the guest star for the song’s remix in late August 2021. The GRAMMY-nominated septet is no stranger to collaborating with Western musicians, having worked with Halsey , Jason Derulo, and Coldplay . 

Though only slightly altered from the original (Megan’s verse was added in place of the song’s second original verse, along with several ad-libs), the remix was praised by both fans and critics alike, catapulting the song’s return back to the No. 1. Although the collaborators did not release a new music video featuring the group and the self-proclaimed "Hot Girl Coach," three members of BTS’ "dance line" (members J-Hope , Jungkook and Jimin ) released a specially choreographed dance video . Additionally, Megan was a surprise guest during BTS’ record-breaking Permission to Dance LA concert in November of the same year.

LE SSERAFIM and Niles Rodgers - "Unforgiven" (2023)

GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Nile Rodgers ' first foray into K-pop was a partnership with LE SSERAFIM , a fourth-gen girl group from the same parent company behind BTS. "Unforgiven" was released earlier this year as the lead single from the group’s debut album of the same name. 

A darker take on the familiar K-pop formula with A Western feel and look (the young quintuplet dons cowboy hats, boots and bolo ties in the song’s accompanying music video), "Unforgiven" is about rebellion and being a fierce, strong and independent risk taker. That riskiness drew Rodgers' ear. 

"It seems like a lot of the K-pop that I'm hearing lately, the…chord changes are a lot more interesting than what's been happening [in other music fields] over the last few years," he told GRAMMY.com in 2023. "I come from a jazz background, so to hear chord changes like that is really cool. They’re not afraid, which is great to me."

15 K-Pop Songs That Took 2023 By Storm: From Seventeen’s "Super (손오공)" to NewJeans' "Super Shy"

• 1 Everything We Know About BTS' New 2022 Album 'Proof'
• 2 New Music Friday: Listen To Songs & Albums From Jungkook, Meghan Trainor, Peggy Gou, & More
• 3 Stream RM's New Album 'Right Place, Wrong Person': See The Tracklist, "LOST!" Video & Special Guests
• 4 J-Hope's Road To 'Hope On The Street Vol.1,' From Falling Back In Love With Dance To Tying Together His Global Influences
• 5 9 Essential K-Pop/Western Collabs: From BTS And Megan Thee Stallion, To IVE And Saweetie

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BTS (방탄소년단; short for Bangtan Boys ) is a seven-member South Korean boy group under Big Hit Entertainment. Considered one of the most successful K-pop groups of all time, BTS formed in 2010 and debuted on Jun 13, 2013. The seven members of BTS are: Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.

BTS means bulletproof boy scouts in Korean (Bangtan Sonyeondan). The name represents their goal to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that are aimed on adolescents like bullets.

BTS Member Ages

Bts age ranking.

Ranked from oldest to youngest.

BTS Member Heights

Bts height ranking.

Ranked from tallest to shortest.

BTS is composed of seven members born between 1992 and 1997. Their ages ranged from 15 to 20 years old at the time of their debut in June 2013. The oldest member is Jin (born Dec 4, 1992). He was 20 years old when BTS debuted. The youngest member (maknae) is Jungkook (born Sep 1, 1997). He was 15 years old at the time of BTS' debut. There is an age gap of 5 years between Jin and Jungkook.

J-Hope and RM were both born in 1994. J-Hope is, in fact, just 7 months older than RM. Jimin and V are both '95 liners. Jimin is about 2 months older than V.

Based on age, the Hyung line of BTS is composed of the 4 oldest members: Jin, Suga, J-Hope, and RM. The Maknae line is composed of the 3 youngest members: Jimin, V, and Jungkook.

All BTS members are Korean.

In terms of positions, RM is the official leader of BTS; he is also the main rapper. Suga, J-hope, and RM are part of the rap line of BTS. The main vocalist is Jungkook. V, Jungkook, Jimin, and Jin are part of the vocal line. The main dancer is J-hope. The main visual is Jin.

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Fun Facts and Trivia

• The oldest member of BTS is Jin (born Dec 4, 1992).
• The youngest member (maknae) of BTS is Jungkook (born Sep 1, 1997).
• There is an age gap of 5 years between Jin and Jungkook.
• The leader of BTS is Kim Nam-joon, better known as RM.
• The tallest member of BTS is RM. His exact height is 181.68 cm (5’11.5”)
• The shortest members of BTS are Suga and Jimin with a height of 174 cm (5’9”).
• BTS siblings: All BTS members have siblings. J-Hope has an older sister (Jung Dawon). Jin as an older brother (Kim Seok Jung). Suga has an older brother (Min Geumjae). RM has a younger sister (Kim Kyung Min). V has a younger sister and a younger brother (Kim Eun Jin and Kim Jong Gyu). Jimin has a younger brother (Park Jihyun). Jungkook has an older brother (Junghyun).
• Famous BTS fanboys: Park Jihoon (Wanna One), Sejun (Victon), Wooyoung and Jongho (Ateez), Younghoon (The Boyz), Hyunwoo and Dylan (D-Crunch).
• Famous BTS fangirls: Yulhee (Laboum), Jieun (Secret), Kara, I.O.I, Liza Soberano (Philippino model; most beautiful woman in 2019), Dasha Taran (Russian model), Ashlyn Pearce (American actress).

Jin is the oldest member of BTS. His position is sub-vocalist but he is also the official visual member of the group. Jin was scouted by Big Hit Entertainment while walking the streets of South Korea. He initially auditioned to be an actor but later transitioned to becoming an idol trainee. Prior to becoming an idol, he studied in Australia as an exchange student. He debuted with BTS at the age of 21. He stands at a height of 179 cm (5'11'') and has an estimated weight of 63 kg (139 lbs).

• Stage Name: Jin
• Full Name: Kim Seok-jin
• Country of Birth: South Korea
• Date of Birth: Dec 4, 1992
• Height: 179 cm (5'11'')
• Weight: 63 kg (139 lbs)
• Blood Type: O

 That's all? Give me more facts about Jin! 

Suga is the second oldest member of BTS. He originally joined Big Hit Entertainment as a music producer. His name Suga comes from the first syllables of the term "shooting guard", which was the position he played in his basketball team when he was a student. Suga was 20 years old (international age) when he made his debut with BTS in June 2013. He is an introvert with an MBTI of INTP. Despite being one of the shortest member of BTS, Suga's height is 174 cm (5'9''), which is about the average for Korean men.

• Stage Name: Suga
• Full Name: Min Yoon Gi
• Date of Birth: Mar 9, 1993
• Height: 174 cm (5'9'')
• Weight: 59 kg (130 lbs)

 This is not enough info about Suga! 

J-Hope is the main dancer and rapper of BTS. He started as a street dancer and won first place in South Korea's national dance competition in 2012. His hobbies include dancing (street dance, freestyle), beatboxing, tidying up, playing tennis.

• Stage Name: J-hope
• Full Name: Jung Ho Seok
• Date of Birth: Feb 18, 1994
• Height: 177 cm (5'10'')
• Weight: 65 kg (143 lbs)
• Blood Type: A

 More facts about J-Hope, please! 

RM is BTS's leader and the main rapper. In fact, his name RM stands for Rap Monster and Real Me. He and J-hope were both born in 1994, with J-hope being slightly older by only 7 months. RM is very intelligent. He has an IQ of 148 and scored in the top 1% of South Korea in the university entrance examinations. He is also the best English speaker in the group. He taught himself by watching American sitcoms like Friends.

• Stage Name: RM
• Full Name: Kim Nam-joon
• Date of Birth: Sep 12, 1994
• Height: 182 cm (6'0'')
• Weight: 67kg (147 lbs)

 Gotta have more data on RM, right?! 

Jimin, BTS's main dancer, started dancing from a young age. When he was in middle school, he attended Just Dance Academy where he learned popping and locking. He later studied contemporary dance at Busan High School of Arts. He is also one of the lead vocalists of the group.

• Stage Name: Jimin
• Full Name: Park Jimin
• Date of Birth: Oct 13, 1995
• Weight: 61kg (134 lbs)

 C'mon, I want more facts on Jimin! 

V is the second youngest member of BTS. He was 17 years old when he debuted with the group in 2013. He almost debuted as a rapper instead of vocalist. He is fluent in Japanese and Korean, and knows basic English. He considers his journey as an idol a once-in-a-lifetime lucky chance.

• Stage Name: V
• Full Name: Kim Tae Hyung
• Date of Birth: Dec 30, 1995
• Height: 178 cm (5'10'')
• Weight: 62 kg (137 lbs)
• Blood Type: AB

 V is my bread and butter! 

Jungkook is the youngest and the most popular member of BTS. He is also the main vocalist of the group. Jungkook was inspired to start singing after he came across a video of RM rapping. And coincidentally it was around the same time when Bang Si Hyuk was doing Star Audition – The Great Birth and that’s how Jungkook ended up with Big Hit Entertainment.

• Stage Name: Jungkook
• Full Name: Jeon Jung-kook
• Date of Birth: Sep 1, 1997
• Weight: 66kg (145 lbs)

 Can't get enough of Jungkook! 

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BTS , South Korean K-pop (Korean pop music) band that shot to international stardom in the late 2010s. Its seven members were Jin (byname of Kim Seok-Jin; b. December 4, 1992, Anyang, South Korea), Suga (original name Min Yoon-Gi; b. March 9, 1993, Buk-gu), J-Hope (byname of Jung Ho-Seok; b. February 18, 1994, Kwangju), RM (also called Rap Monster; original name Kim Nam-Joon; b. September 12, 1994, Ilsan), Jimin (byname of Park Ji-Min; b. October 13, 1995, Pusan), V (original name Kim Tae-Hyung; b. December 30, 1995, Taegu), and Jungkook (byname of Jeon Jeong-Guk; b. September 1, 1997, Pusan). BTS had a devoted following (fans called themselves ARMY [“Adorable Representative MC for Youth”]) and was popular on social media . The band broke numerous records on YouTube —namely, for the most views of a music video within 24 hours of its release, for such singles as “Boy with Luv” (2019), “Dynamite” (2020), and “Butter” (2021).

BTS was formed by Bang Si-Hyuk, a successful songwriter and music producer who established his own studio, Big Hit Entertainment, in 2005. In 2010 he began to assemble talent for a group he was calling the Bangtan Sonyeondan (“Bulletproof Boy Scouts”), which would later become better known as BTS. The members—the first of whom was RM, an underground rapper in Seoul—were selected for their singing, rapping, and dancing skills. The band’s first releases were three EP (extended play) records in the School series, including  2 Cool 4 Skool  (2013),  O!RUL8,2?  (2013), and  Skool Luv Affair  (2014). BTS’s first full-length album,  Dark & Wild , appeared in 2014. The group wrote its own lyrics, commenting on social issues and concentrating on such themes as self-love, individuality, and empowerment. The band’s popularity grew with each recording, and, after releasing  The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1  and  Part 2  (both 2015), BTS began its first world tour. With momentum from the tour,  Life, Part 2  rose to number one on six international music charts. The album  Wings  (2016) continued that success, becoming the first of the group’s albums to debut on both the Canadian Hot 100 and the  Billboard  200 charts. BTS later rereleased the songs from  Wings  with four additional singles under the title  You Never Walk Alone  (2017).

At the Billboard Music Awards presentation in 2017, BTS won the Top Social Artist Award, which had been voted on by fans. The band then won the award each year through 2021, beating such performers as  Ariana Grande  and  Justin Bieber . Meanwhile, the group released another EP,  Love Yourself: Her , in 2017. The recording debuted on the  Billboard  200 chart at number seven, becoming the first K-pop album to appear on the chart’s top 10. BTS’s third full-length album debuted in 2018. Titled  Love Yourself: Tear , it reached the top of the  Billboard  200.  Love Yourself: Answer  (2018) included material from both previous  Love Yourself  recordings along with a few new songs.

The group delivered the EP  Map of the Soul: Persona  in 2019. The music video for the lead single, “ Boy with Luv,” drew 74.6 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of its release, breaking records on the platform. BTS followed that success with the full-length album  Map of the Soul: 7  (2020). The recording won wide acclaim and debuted at number one on the  Billboard  200 chart. Later in 2020 the group released the disco-pop single “Dynamite,” its first English-language song. The single debuted at the top of the  Billboard  Hot 100 chart, and the music video amassed an unprecedented 101.1 million views on YouTube in 24 hours. BTS was nominated for a  Grammy Award  for best pop duo or group performance for the song and performed it at the 2021 awards show. The single was included on the album  Be (2020). Meanwhile, BTS also made several Japanese studio albums, including  Wake Up  (2014),  Face Yourself  (2018), and  Map of the Soul: 7—The Journey  (2020). In 2021 BTS released their second English-language single, “Butter,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. Its accompanying video once again beat the band’s previous record, reaching approximately 113 million views on YouTube in one day. BTS performed “Butter” at the 2022  Grammy Awards , where the song was nominated for best pop duo or group performance.

In 2018 BTS released a YouTube documentary series, Burn the Stage , about its 2017 world tour. An extended movie version (2018) later appeared in various countries. Other documentaries of BTS tours included  Bring the Soul: The Movie  (2019) and  Break the Silence: The Movie  (2020). In 2019 BTS became the first South Korean musical group to perform on the American comedy and variety television show  Saturday Night Live . Later that year a BTS-themed game,  BTS World , was released for mobile devices, along with an album of the game’s soundtrack.

Also in 2022 BTS released Proof , an anthology album that included the new single “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment).” Shortly afterward the band announced a hiatus , suggesting that they planned to pursue solo projects. A couple of months later, their label stated that members of the group were enlisting in South Korea’s military, which by law requires all able-bodied men to enroll by the time they reach age 28 to serve for about two years (a bill passed in 2020 allowed pop stars and other cultural icons to delay conscription until the age of 30). The announcement said members planned to reconvene in 2025 after completing their service.

Jungkook (BTS) Profile and Facts

Stage Name: Jung Kook / Jungkook (정국) Birth Name: Jeon Jeong Kuk (전정국) Birthday: September 1, 1997 Zodiac Sign: Virgo Height: 177 cm (5’9½”) Weight: 71 kg (156 lbs) Blood Type: A MBTI Type: INTP-T Representative Emoji: 🐰 Jungkook’s Spotify list: Jungkook: I am Listening to it Right Now TikTok: jungkook

Jung Kook facts: – He was born in Busan, South Korea. – Jungkook’s family consists of: Mom, dad, older brother – Education: Seoul School of Performing Arts; Global Cyber University – He attended Baek Yang Middle school. – Jungkook attended Seoul performing art high school, he graduated in February 2017. – He has an older brother named Jeon Jung Hyun. – His favorite foods are anything with flour (pizza, bread, etc) – His favorite color is black. (Run BTS Ep. 39) – He loves playing games, drawing and soccer. – Jungkook hobbies include video editing (Golden Closet Films), photography, discovering new music and making covers. – He has a weird habit where he sniffles a lot because of his rhinitis. He also wriggles his fingers a lot – His shoe size is 270 mm. – He likes the number 1 – Said to be a very skilled cook. – He likes shoes and makeup. – He dislikes tasteless things, bugs, getting hurt, studying. (Profile written by Jungkook) – He speaks Korean, Japanese and English (basic). – In 7th grade Jungkook learned B-boying in a club with some friends and hyungs. – He knows Taekwondo (he has a black belt). – Before joining the group he was a handball player. – His favorite weather is a sunny weather with a cool breeze. – In 10 years Jungkook wants to be the owner of a duck meat restaurant or a tattooist. – In middle school, he went to Superstar K auditions (where he sang IU’s ‘Lost Child’) but failed to pass the elimination round. On the way back home, he received offers from eight different entertainment agencies. – After randomly hearing and falling in love with future member Rap Monster’s rap, he decided to join Big Hit Entertainment. – Jungkook nicknames is Jeon Jungkookie (Suga calls him a lot), Golden Maknae, Kookie and Nochu. – Jungkook’s role model is G-Dragon (BigBang). – His dream when he was younger was to become a badminton player. In the 1st year of High School he listened to G-Dragon’s songs and changed his dream to becoming a singer. – His motto is: “Living without passion is like being dead”. – Jungkook wants to go on trip with his lover someday. – He got his driving license (BTS Run ep. 18) – He loves reading comic books. – Jungkook is a big fan of Iron Man. – Jungkook thinks he’s a pro gamer. (Knowing Brother ep. 94) – Jungkook can play games on two computers at once. (Knowing Brother ep. 94) – Jimin says that Jungkook smiles when he swears. – Jungkook owns two dogs named Gureum (‘cloud’ in Korean) and a Doberman named Bahm (‘night’ in Korean) who he adopted in 2021. – About school subjects, Jungkook dislike everything except Physical Education, Art, and Music Class. – He doesn’t like bugs, but he likes cool bugs like (stag) beetles. He used to have a stage beetle when he was younger, but he didn’t take care of it well, so it died. – Members say that Jungkook’s dorm room is the messiest but Jungkook denies. – Jungkook likes collecting bluetooth speakers. – Jungkook ranked 13th in the “Top 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2017”. – Jungkook is ranked 2nd on TC Candler “The 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2018”. – He said he usually doesn’t exercise a lot but started working out after seeing Taeyang and Jay Park. – The member who’s most similar to him : “V Hyung. He’s random, our comedic cords match well, and I think our personalities are similar.” (Profile written by Jungkook) – The ranking in BTS that he wrote: “Rap hyung – Jin hyung – Suga hyung – Hope hyung – Jim hyung – V hyung – Jeongguk.” (Profile written by Jungkook) – GOT7 ‘s  Bambam & Yugyeom , BTS ‘s Jungkook , Seventeen ‘s The8 , Mingyu , DK ,  NCT ‘s Jaehyun and Astro ‘s Cha Eunwoo (the ’97 liners) are in a group chat. – Jungkook’s ideal date: “Walking along the beach in the night.” – Things that he wants to steal from other members are: Rap Monster’s knowledge, Suga’s diverse knowledge, J-Hope’s positive mind, Jimin’s persistence and his effort, V’s natural talent and Jin’s wide shoulders. Other members about Jungkook: – Suga: “ Jungkook has a good memory so he can imitate us well. And I remember that when Jungkook first came, he was shorter than me. Seeing him grow taller makes me feel like I’ve raised him .” – Jimin : “ I’m 2 years older than him but he keeps making fun of me for my height.” – Jin: “He’s quite bad at refusing requests.” – Rap Monster : “ Individualistic, doesn’t share clothes. Washes his clothes separately. A slight timid-ness that’s like a maknae. Although he wants to seem manly, he’s actually a cutie. Although his passion overflows, it doesn’t go on long. Puberty, rebellious, but it seems cute. ” – J-Hope: “He’s the maknae who talks backs a lot and doesn’t listen. Although he personality is quite kind… I also have no answer for his personality” – V : “ Truthfully, he’s the same as me. I have no answer. ” – Suga : “ Because he’s the youngest, he’s still immature. However, he clearly shows what he likes and what he dislikes. ” – Jimin : “ He’s kind, innocent, and is bad at expressing his feelings. That’s why he’s cute. Jeonggukkie’s mine. ” – Suga about Jungkook entering High School : “ Jeongguk was the most handsome one there .” – V about Jungkook entering High School : “ It’s not that the other students were ugly, but JK was most noticeable because he’s tall. ” – In the dorm he has his own room. (180327: BTS’ JHOPE & JIMIN – MORE MAGAZINE MAY ISSUE) – He made his solo debut on July 14, 2023 with the digital single “ Seven “. – Jungkook and Jimin enlisted on December 12, 2023. – Jung Kook’s ideal type is someone who’s at least 168 cm but smaller than him, is a good wife, good at cooking, smart, has pretty legs, and is nice. Also a girl who likes him and is good at singing. He also wants someone with toned muscles.

Note 1: He updated his MBTI result on May 6, 2022. (Source: BTS MBTI 2022 ver. )

Note 2: He updated his MBTI result on May 6, 2022. (Source: BTS MBTI 2022 ver. )

Note 3: Jungkook confirmed his height is 177 cm (“Stationhead Radio” Oct 1, 2023).

(Special thanks to Taekook Trash, Dumindi Indiwari, Jin’s my husband, wife & son, Collecting Dreams, jxnn, A Person말리, Serena, Vagia Michail, Hena De la Cruz, legitpotato, Eunlien, Mia Majerle, kbatienza, Hihihihihihi, busan boy, scorpion 2001, Steph, Salt, Tara, chels, Laerke MA )

Related: BTS Profile Quiz: Who’s your BTS boyfriend? Jungkook’s Tattoos & Meanings Jungkook Discography

• He's my ultimate bias
• He's my bias in BTS
• He's among my favorite members in BTS, but not my bias
• He is among my least favorite members in BTS
• He's my ultimate bias 58%, 89627 votes 89627 votes 58% 89627 votes - 58% of all votes
• He's among my favorite members in BTS, but not my bias 18%, 27055 votes 27055 votes 18% 27055 votes - 18% of all votes
• He's my bias in BTS 16%, 24873 votes 24873 votes 16% 24873 votes - 16% of all votes
• He is among my least favorite members in BTS 5%, 8018 votes 8018 votes 5% 8018 votes - 5% of all votes
• He is ok 3%, 4274 votes 4274 votes 3% 4274 votes - 3% of all votes

Latest English Release:

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Jungkook Height, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Jungkook

A childhood image of Jungkook with his father and elder brother

A scar on Jungkook’s left cheek

Jungkook auditioning for Superstar K 3

• He was just 13 years old when he auditioned for Big Hit Entertainment (now Big Hit Music).

Jungkook during his trainee days

Jungkook practising dance at the Movement Lifestyle (ML) dance studio

• After returning from Los Angeles to South Korea, he thought about becoming a dancer instead of a K-pop idol; however, Jimin, now his fellow band member, convinced him to become a member of BTS.

Jungkook in a still from the 2012 song ‘I’m Da One’

BTS members (from left – V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin, and J-Hope)

• Jungkook is the youngest member of BTS.
• In September 2015, he became a member of the ‘One Dream, One Korea’ campaign for which he lent his voice to a song in collaboration with multiple Korean artists to honour the Korean War (1950-1953).

Jungkook in the pilot episode of ‘Flower Crew’

• In November 2016, he decided not to take Korea’s nationwide university entrance exam, CSAT.
• He sang the solo song ‘Begin’ from BTS’ 2016 South Korean album ‘Wings.’ In the song, he talked about the time when he was a kid and came to Seoul to pursue his dream and expressed his gratitude towards his six elder members, who took care of him.

Cover of the 2018 album ‘Love Yourself – Tear’

Cover of the 2020 Japanese album ‘Map of the Soul 7 – The Journey’

Jungkook after passing out in a room

• Jungkook has a lot of interest in photography and videography. he has shot, directed, and edited a series of videos titled G.C.F (Golden Closet Film) in various cities around the world.

Jungkook performing while sitting on a chair

Song poster designed by Jungkook

Duh😛 pic.twitter.com/3lGmo7GpF6 — 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) June 9, 2019

Jungkook biting his nails

• On 6 November 2018, he gave a special duet performance with the American singer Charlie Puth at the MBC Plus X Genie Music Awards. Both the artists collaborated and performed Charlie Puth’s famous song ‘We Don’t Talk Anymore.’

Jungkook’s golden clock art piece

• In February 2020, BTS released their seventh studio album ‘Map of the Soul: 7.’ This album contained his third solo track titled ‘My Time,’ which charted for 85 weeks on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.
• On 4 June 2020, he produced and released a song titled ‘Still With You’ for free on SoundCloud to celebrate BTS’ annual debut anniversary.

I felt and learned a lot after seeing her stage. I am really challenged by her stage and will try harder! #ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/Jj0xREEK2W — 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) May 7, 2019

Poster of ‘7 Fates Chakho’

• In March 2022, he received the President’s Award, the school’s highest honour.

Poster of the 2022 song ‘Left and Right’

Jungkook while boxing

Our first practice room was in the basement, and now there was a restaurant on the ground floor, and the aunt there took very good care of us. She sometimes grilled us meat, and at that time, we didn’t get much pocket money anymore, so we only had one or three cups of ramen a day. It was a time that passed for a while, but I’m really thankful.” [57] Hindustan Times jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_559783_1_57').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_559783_1_57', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });

I was so scared when I first came up to Seoul. I missed my parents and I cried. I was the youngest. I had to wait for the others to fall asleep before I could shower. I used the top bunk and I had to be really careful not to make noise. I think that all the difficulties and scoldings that I went through made me who I am today. That’s why I’m grateful to the other members. ” [58] Hindustan Times jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_559783_1_58').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_559783_1_58', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });

Jungkook actually couldn’t sing at all when I asked him to. He was so shy and kept on twisting his body for 15 minutes. Our agency even judged that it was impossible for him to debut because he didn’t have talent but now he has become a playful member.” [59] Allkpop jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_559783_1_59').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_559783_1_59', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });

• He considers G-Dragon, a rapper from the South Korean boy band Big Bang, as his role model.

A collage of Jungkook wearing baggy clothes

A collage of images in which Jungkook is sleeping with his mouth open

Ah.. it’s been more than 10 years now, my memories are a bit sketchy but I would say we were not that cool. Of course, at the time the other members looked cool to me, but honestly, I still can’t watch the footage from when we first debuted, or even from a few years later, it makes me feel cringe and embarrassed.” [69] Hindustan Times jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_559783_1_69').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_559783_1_69', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });

Jungkook performing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony

• On 23 September 2023, he performed for the first time at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York City, where he performed as a headliner.

Jungkook with Jack Harlow in a still from the 2023 song ‘3D’

Jungkook in the South Korean military

Jungkook smoking outside a restaurant in LA

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BIOGRAPHY PRESENTS MAGAZINE / HEARST SPECIAL 2022 / BTS (JUNGKOOK, SUGA, JIN, V, RM, JIMIN, J-HOPE) Single Issue Magazine

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The most successful member of bts is about to return.

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AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 20: Jung Kook of BTS performs during the opening ceremony prior to the ... [+] FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

BTS is still on a hiatus, as the seven members are all currently enlisted in the South Korean military. While they’re unable to continue as a group for the moment, that doesn’t mean the singers can’t individually drop new work. One of them is about to do just that, launching a new single in only a few days.

Jung Kook revealed over the weekend that he has a new single coming very soon. “Never Let Go” is expected to drop on Friday, June 7, according to announcements made by the singer’s record label.

For the moment, “Never Let Go” appears to be a standalone single. There has been no mention of an album or any more music, at least not for the time being. Jung Kook is surely thinking about his next chapter, but whether “Never Let Go” will serve as the first taste of that era or if it’s simply meant to keep his fan base happy until the group returns is not yet clear.

“Never Let Go” will mark Jung Kook’s first release in 2024…as a lead artist, at least. The singer last shared new music on his own in November, when his first solo album Golden arrived. The title was accompanied by a last single, “Standing Next to You,” which was pushed on the same day as the full-length.

Jung Kook spent much of 2023 promoting his debut solo collection, which helped establish him as the most successful member of BTS when it comes to solo careers—in America, at least. Golden opened and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, making him the latest member of the South Korean boy band to miss out on the highest rung by one space.

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Golden produced several hit singles, including three that reached the top 10 on the Hot 100. He led with “Seven,” a collaboration with Latto. That track debuted at No. 1 on the chart, helping him make history. The singer then sent follow-up singles “3D” with Jack Harlow and “Standing Next to You” to No. 5. He remains the only BTS star to crack the top 10 more than once on the Hot 100.

In between Golden ’s arrival in November and “Never Let Go,” Jung Kook has been largely preoccupied with his military duties. He did appear on a song with fellow BTS star J-Hope earlier this year titled “I Wonder...,” which brought them back to a handful of Billboard charts, though only for a short stay.

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