Who is J-Hope?
J-Hope, whose full name is Jung Hoseok, was born on February 18, 1994. He is a member of famous K-pop boy group BTS, and holds the positions of rapper and dancer in the group. He also participates in song-writing and producing.
J-Hope’s Biography
- Birth Name: Jung Hoseok
- Stage Name: J-Hope
- Date of Birth: February 18, 1994
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Nationality: Korean
- Instagram: @uarmyhope
J-Hope’s Basic Info
J-Hope grew up in Gwangju, South Korea, with his parents and older sister, Jung Dawon, a designer and model. From a young age, he showed a strong passion for dance and music, though his father was not very supportive. His mother, however, encouraged his talent.
In 2010, J-Hope passed his audition for Big Hit Entertainment and began training while balancing his academics in Gwangju. During his first year of high school, he moved to Seoul alone, dedicating himself to daily training at the company. Over the years, he continued his education, earning a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment from Global Cyber University and later pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Hanyang Cyber University.
J-Hope’s Career
Before BTS
J-Hope trained as a dancer for six years at Gwangju Music Academy and was a member of the underground dance crew Neuron, where he performed under the name Smile Hoya. Known for his exceptional dance skills, he won several local competitions, including first place in a national dance contest in 2008. His passion for dance eventually sparked an interest in singing, leading him to pursue a career as an idol.
Initially auditioning for JYP Entertainment, he later joined Big Hit Entertainment. As a trainee, he showcased his rapping skills by featuring on Jo Kwon’s 2012 song “Animal” and Lee Seung-gi’s 2011 song “A Song to Make to You Smile.” Influenced by artists like G-Dragon and Beenzino, J-Hope’s journey from street dancer to K-pop star highlights his dedication and versatility.
Debut as BTS member
J-Hope debuted with BTS on June 13, 2013, as the group’s main dancer and lead rapper, contributing to an extensive discography over the years. He has been actively involved in the creation of every BTS album and has released several solo songs under the group’s name.
His solo tracks include Intro: Boy Meets Evil and Mama from Wings (2016), Trivia 起: Just Dance from Love Yourself: Answer (2018), and Outro: Ego from Map of the Soul: 7 (2020), each reflecting his dynamic style and personal experiences.
Recognized for his contributions to songwriting and production, J-Hope was promoted to a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) in 2020.
You can read more about the achievements and releases of J-Jope as BTS via the profile of BTS.
Solo
J-Hope’s first solo release outside of BTS was the 2015 rap track 1 Verse, which sampled “El Chapo” by The Game and was uploaded for free on SoundCloud. Showcasing a darker sound than his later works, the track addressed his critics and highlighted his versatility in rapping and vocal delivery.
In 2018, J-Hope released his debut mixtape,” Hope World,” featuring the lead single “Daydream” and the B-side “Airplane.” The mixtape peaked at number 38 on the Billboard 200, making him the highest-charting Korean soloist at the time. It also topped the World Digital Song Sales chart, ranking fifth on Billboard’s year-end World Albums Chart. Three years later, in 2021, he released the full version of “Blue Side (Outro)” to mark the mixtape’s anniversary.
His 2019 collaboration with Becky G, “Chicken Noodle Soup,” debuted at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, making him the first BTS member to chart on the ranking as a solo artist. The track also secured his second number-one spot on the World Digital Song Sales chart.
J-Hope officially debuted as a solo artist in 2022 with Jack in the Box, led by the singles “More and Arson.” He became the first South Korean artist to headline a major U.S. music festival at Lollapalooza, performed solo at the MAMA Awards, and featured on Crush’s single “Rush Hour.” His documentary, J-Hope in the Box, chronicling the album’s creation and his Lollapalooza performance, premiered in early 2023. That same year, he was named a Louis Vuitton brand ambassador and collaborated with J. Cole on “On the Street,” which debuted at number 37 on the UK Singles Chart and number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ahead of his 2023 military enlistment, J-Hope recorded Hope on the Street Vol. 1, an album reflecting his dance roots. Released alongside a six-part documentary in March 2024, it featured “Neuron” with Gaeko and Yoon Mi-rae as the lead single. After completing his service in late 2024, he made his return at Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes in Paris, performing by invitation from France’s First Lady.
In 2025, J-Hope announced his first solo tour, Hope on the Stage, spanning Asia and North America before concluding in Japan. He will also headline Lollapalooza Berlin in July, marking another milestone in his solo career. As a recognized “model soldier” in the military and an award-winning solo artist, J-Hope continues to make an impact both in and out of BTS.
Additional Facts About J-Hope
- Before debut J-hope hated doing aegyo but now he changed his mind.
- J-Hope and B.A.P Zelo went to the same Academy for rap and dance in Gwangju.
- J-Hope’s favorite Color is Green.
- He has a dog named Mickey.
- He hates exercising/working out.
- J-Hope used to be a tennis player in elementary school and played in competitions. He once received a bronze medal, out of 3 team competitors.
- He likes melodramatic movies and remembers watching a lot of DVDs when he was a kid, since his father also likes movies.
- His role models are A$AP Rocky, J. Cole, Beenzino, G.D.
- He likes visiting the Fancafe when he has time because he needs to know what are fans saying.
- When having problems or worries he would share them with RM or Suga.
- J-Hope likes if someone strokes his hair – he says it helps him to sleep, a routine picked up from childhood (when he was young, his mother used to pat him gently to put him to sleep).
- J-Hope’s ideal type is a girl who loves him, is good at cooking, and thinks a lot.
- It is known that J-Hope has been a member of the “Green Noble Club”, which recognizes high-value donors of Child Fund Korea, since 2018. j-hope, in particular, has donated a cumulative total of 800 million won to Child Fund Korea since 2018.