Since their debut in 2013, BTS, also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan or the Bangtan Boys, have paved their way from South Korea into the global music scene. With countless accolades and world records under their belt, the boyband became the first ever male cover stars of Vogue Hong Kong when they starred on the January 2022 issue.
Ahead of their 10th anniversary, get to know each member of the sensational septet below!
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The leader and one of the rappers of BTS, RM originally debuted in the boyband as “Rap Monster”, a name given to him by his family and friends during his trainee days for his incredible rapping skills and passion for music. Now officially known as RM, the 28-year-old’s love for music still shines through in his skillful play on words and introspective lyrics. He released his a self-titled mixtape in 2015, becomingthe first of all the member to release a solo project. He is also Bottega Veneta’s first-ever brand ambassador — a partnership that ties in perfectly with his personal style and sophisticated eye for art.
Devoted fans will be familiar with the verb “Namjooning”, which means visiting art museums and spending time in nature, a term coined after the artist’s hobbies outside of music and his birth name Kim Namjoon. You’ll find that RM often shares these moments with fans on Instagram, where squares of art and outdoor parks make up a good chunk of his photos. An avid art collector himself, he took his passion for art one step further with his latest solo studio album, Indigo, which gave rise to a live performance video filmed in the Dia Beacon art museum in New York.
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Jin, BTS’ oldest member, is the group’s happy-go-lucky “mood maker” who also goes by his humorously self-designated nickname “Worldwide Handsome”. The 30-year-old is known for his entertaining antics on and off-screen, while his ability to have fun and find joy in every little moment is one of his most admirable qualities. It’s a trait we see in unexpected instances like the release of his solo Super Tuna, a minute-long ode to fishing that went viral for the hilarious choreography cooked up by Jin himself. His official solo debut however, was with his single The Astronaut, a moving song of appreciation for his fans that was released ahead of his military service.
Jin has also been dubbed the best cook in the group. Apart from recording his foodie adventures through his live mukbang (eating) shows titled “Eat Jin” on Korean streaming service V Live, he’s often made the designated head chef on BTS’ vacations together.
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Widely lauded for his excellent composing and producing skills, SUGA is one of the rappers of BTS. With over 120 songwriting credits to his name, the 28-year-old is also known by his solo alias Agust D, adopted from his BTS moniker “Suga” spelt backwards, combined with “DT” for Daegu Town, his birthplace. The rapper has openly discussed his struggles with mental health and is widely applauded for his raw and honest approach to his lyrics.
Currently on the Asia leg of his SUGA | Agust D Tour, he is the first of the seven members to embark on a solo tour, performing a mix of his solo tracks in previous BTS albums as well as his latest and most popular Agust D hits. Earlier this January, Suga joined the Valentino family as a global brand ambassador.
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Every fan will be familiar with j-hope’s signature self-introduction: “I’m your hope, you’re my hope, I’m j-hope.” As the introduction suggests, the 27-year-old artist created his unique stage name out of his wish to become a source of hope and optimism for his fans and his fellow band members. j-hope’s dance performance skills are undisputed in the industry and is known to take the lead during the boyband’s day-to-day dance practices.
j-hope also boasts phenomenal stage presence, evidenced by his debut solo performance at Lollapalooza that not only marked the first time a South Korean soloist headlined a major American music festival, but garnered raving reviews from critics. Before heading into his military service earlier this year, j-hope reached yet another milestone in his career when he joined Louis Vuitton as a house ambassador.
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Jimin’s unique tone can be recognised by anyone who has listened to BTS. Boasting a vocal range rare even among female vocalists, the 26-year-old is constantly pushing himself and experimenting with different styles of singing. His solo debut album FACE, which he released in March, shattered records across the globe; it became the highest solo debut on the billboard 200 by any Korean soloist, and the fastest selling solo album in all of South Korean music charts history.
Jimin is trained in ballet and having specialised in modern dance, he is also known for his fluid yet powerful dance moves and an unrivalled stage presence. Off-stage, his endearing antics have earned him the nickname “Mochi”. In January this year, the superstar was appointed global brand ambassador for Dior.
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One of the vocalists of BTS, V is known for his husky and soulful baritone and he has won the hearts of many with his charisma on and off stage. Other than being a skilled saxophone player, the 27-year-old has also tried his hand in photography, using the hashtag #Vante for his own works, a pseudonym that pays homage to his favourite photographer Ante Badzim.
Though V has yet to make his official debut as a solo artist, he has released a few solo songs, including singles for the official soundtrack of K-dramas Itaewon Class and Our Beloved Summer. V is also the only member of BTS who has made their acting debut. In 2016, he starred in the historical K-drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior alongside popular actors Park Seo-joon and Park Hyung-sik, who both remain among his closest friends to this day. In March 2023, V officially became a brand ambassador of Hedi Slimane’s Celine after months of speculation following his appearance at the brand’s Spring/Summer 2023 show.
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Making his BTS debut at 15 years old, Jung Kook grew up in the limelight as the boy band’s beloved youngest member and has been nicknamed the “Golden Maknae” (golden youngest member) for his all-rounded talents. The 25-year-old is also known to have an artistic eye. His original video productions are released under the name of Golden Closet Films (G.C.F.), a series of vlogs and travel montages shot and edited by the artist, featuring the rest of his BTS members.
Though fans are still waiting for Jung Kook’s official debut as a solo artist, they’re often treated to extensive live karaoke sessions with Jung Kook, who has been truly enjoying the services of the Weverse application in recent months. However, the youngest member does boast some incredible feats of his own. Following his feature on Charlie Puth’s Left and Right, Jung Kook made history as the first Korean artist to perform at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar last year. Music aside, the BTS star was recently appointed global brand ambassador of Calvin Klein.
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Kaitlyn Lai and Alyanna Raissa J. PayosCredit
Lead Image: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for SiriusXM