Have you ever noticed that your radio, workplace, or streaming platform has been playing songs by Jungkook, Jimin, or even J-Hope lately? What if we told you that these solo artists are members of BTS? These are the same BTS members who sold out every stadium tour, won multiple music awards, sold millions of albums, and were dubbed the Princes of Global Pop. Are you stanning them yet? Let’s dive deep to learn who are BTS?
BTS, Beyond the Scene, is a seven-member South Korean boy group that debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. They originally planned for BTS to become a hip-hop group based on the trainee’s background, knowledge, and training in hip-hop culture. For instance, Bang Si-hyuk, CEO of Big Hit Entertainment aka “Hitman,” stated he formed the group around RM since he was a well-known underground rapper in the music scene, which led the CEO to want to find other members similar to RM’s background to fit his vision to create BTS. Yet, as time passed by, “Hitman” made a business decision by creating a K-pop idol group. As many trainees left, Bang Si-hyuk said “RM, Suga, and J-Hope stayed back, and they remain BTS’s musical pillars.” However, their angsty hip-hop image respectfully stayed for two years until they released The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 where they began to experiment with other music styles and implemented lyricism based on relevant topics including mental health, the struggles within adolescents, stages of accepting self-love, and so much more. As their entertainment company was struggling financially, BTS and their staff members put all their effort into their third mini-album to discuss the themes of the beauty and uncertainty of coming of age. On May 5th, 2015, they won first place in South Korea’s weekly music show: SBS The Show, for their song “I Need U,” resulting in BTS gaining more fans, winning the Best Male Group Dance Performance Award at the 2015 Melon Music Awards, and putting them on the map to success. But now, In 2025, their beloved songs like “Boy With Luv”, “Fake Love”, and “Life Goes On” will be played for the world to hear as their fans: A.R.M.Y., wait patiently for their reunion. But what about each BTS member’s music? Let’s “light it up like dynamite” and get to know each BTS member before they reunite as the biggest South Korean boy group in the world again.
#1: RM (Kim Nam-joon)
RM, the leader and main rapper of BTS, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer who started his music career as an underground Korean hip-hop rapper at around fifteen years old. After his debut with BTS, he released his solo mixtapes: RM and Mono, where he developed his growing music style after wanting to improve from his first mixtape: RM. Thus, his mixtapes led to his solo debut where he released his first official solo album: Indigo, which RM mentions that he “proved his outstanding musical capability regardless of genre.” He continues to explore and expand his artistry by creating his second studio album, Right Place, Wrong Person, which focuses on diverse genres like funk, jazz, and blues, the capability of switching flows, and the use of implementing philosophical thinking within his works. If you listen to Tyler, The Creator, Thundercat, and/or Anderson .Paak, we recommend listening to RM’s “LOST!” where you will discover a fast-tempo pop song about a lost person who acknowledges how it is okay not knowing where to go.
#2 Jin (Kim Seok-jin)
Jin, the vocalist and visual of BTS, was scouted by Big Hit Entertainment without a background in music, but then he became a South Korean singer and songwriter. After releasing solo songs on BTS’s studio albums or independent tracks on SoundCloud, he was praised for his vocals on power-pop and acoustic ballad genre-based songs that suited his singing style. His independent tracks focused on a variety of themes like his insecurities regarding music, experiencing burnout, and feeling symptoms of anxiety. But he didn’t let his fears stop him, as Jin stated in a Billboard interview, he debuted a mini album in 2024, Happy, where he “worked on each track” revolving heavily around his connection with his fans on how he wants “to bring joy and happiness to them.” If you tend to listen to Muse’s iconic albums, often revisit Imagine Dragon’s music, and/or have “Night before the end” by Xdinary Heroes playing on repeat, we recommend listening to Jin’s “Another Level” for its melodies sounding dramatic like a movie reaching the climax scene.
#3 Suga (Min Yoon-gi)
Suga, the lead rapper of BTS, was an underground rapper who learned how to compose and arrange his music, performing his written lyrics, and rapping with his unique style before signing with Big Hit Entertainment. He initially joined the company as a music producer and did not think about becoming an idol. After discussing with the CEO, he debuted with BTS and became a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Eventually, he released his first mixtape, Agust D, free on SoundCloud where he covered his struggles with depression under the alias Agust D. His first mixtape began the trilogy of Agust D where he developed a second mixtape, D-2, focused on documenting him as a 28-year-old and comparing his past work with the art of contrast. Then, in an interview with Rolling Stone, he finalizes the trilogy with D-Day where the “10-track project that blends hard-hitting drill beats, affecting R&B, and angsty emo rap … unleashes philosophical verses that unpack his personal traumas, love and loss, … “ and “comfortably moving through life’s chaos and changes.” If you heavily listen to Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding album and/or NF’s The Search album, you should listen to Agust D’s “AMYGDALA” where you will experience how he creatively interwoven his lyricism and the concept of revisiting memories to heal.
#4 J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok)
J-Hope, the lead rapper and main dancer of BTS, was an underground dancer team member who auditioned to become an idol trainee at Big Hit Entertainment. After signing with the company, he became a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer which led to the release of his first solo mixtape: Hope World. His first mixtape expresses his devotion to showcasing his artistry, an abundance of hours studying songwriting, and researching music to create an introductory album about himself for his listeners to understand who he is as an artist. Then, he debuts his solo studio album, Jack in the Box, an old-school hip-hop-influenced record revolving around the concept of a Pandora’s box. For instance, “Intro” indicates his curious fans opening up his album and discovering the vast yet mysterious tracks that highlight his musical personality. After his military service, he focused on producing Hope on the Street Vol. 1 which focuses on his street dance background and revisiting his roots like “NEURON” a direct reference and name drop of the underground dance team he joined years ago. If you like to dance to the beat of Childish Gambino’s music and/or bop your head to J. Cole’s albums, try listening to J-Hope’s “Arson” where he answers his uncertainty about the Pandora’s box that he called his album.
#5 Jimin (Park Ji-min)
Jimin, the main dancer and lead vocalist of BTS, studied contemporary dance at Busan High School of Arts and became their top student in the modern dance department before he signed with Big Hit Entertainment. As he was the last member to join BTS’s lineup, he became a South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer who only trained for six months before his debut with BTS. Eventually, he released his debut solo album FACE inspired by the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as a performer losing his purpose to perform and his experience of loneliness. Then, as explained by Tássia Assis, Jimin released his second studio album MUSE where he continues his “path of self-discovery” and finds his “source of inspiration – his muse.” If you listen to Taemin’s groundbreaking music and/or ATEEZ’s powerful tracks, you should listen to Jimin’s “Set Me Free Pt. 2” to experience an amazing introduction to his artistic vision.
#6 V (Kim Tae-hyung)
V, the vocalist of BTS, accompanied his friend’s audition, but Big Hit Entertainment encouraged him to audition on the spot, which resulted in him being passed on to the next round. After many rounds and training sessions, V originally was gonna debut in BTS as a rapper, but he wanted to become a singer, which led to him becoming a South Korean singer and songwriter. His desire to become a singer guided him to debut studio album Layover which features wanderlust genres like jazz, pop, and R&B to compliment his soulful voice. In addition, his love for jazz music influenced his album to contain tracks like 70s romantic soul sound or alternative pop with a twist of lo-fi and a hint of rain. If you’re a listener of Eric Benet and/or Ruben Studdard, try listening to V’s “Love Me Again” to be transported to a jazz bar while trying to forget your previous relationship.
#7 Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook)
Jungkook, BTS’s Golden Maknae: the youngest member who can rap, sing, and dance, auditioned for a talent show television series where he was eliminated, but seven agencies including Big Hit Entertainment scouted him. At fifteen, he picked Big Hit Entertainment over the other agencies because he was impressed by RM’s rapping skills and wanted to train alongside him. After debuting with BTS, he released his debut solo pop album Golden where the album premises the golden moments of his solo artist career while referencing his nickname: Golden Maknae. From a UK garage pop track to a piano ballad, Jungkook created an entirely English-language album with breathtaking vocals and powerful dance moves to memorize. If you find yourself humming to any melody from Charlie Puth and/or Justin Bieber, try listening to Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You” to feel the groovy disco-pop track dancing through your veins.
Are you a BTS stan yet? Before you decide, let’s congratulate you for learning everything you need to know about each BTS member before their reunion. We think by now you deserve to be called a fellow ARMY and we borahae you for that! But before you buy yourself a lightstick, remember to check out their albums and solo projects to dive even deeper into who they are as a solo artist and as BTS. We can’t wait to see you at the BTS reunion!