BTS members and the paths that shaped their lives before and after superstardom
BTS, also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan or Bulletproof Boy Scouts, is a South Korean group that rose from humble beginnings in their debut in 2013 to global superstardom. The group consists of seven talented artists who actively take part in writing and producing their music. The BTS members began as a hip hop group and later expanded into various musical genres.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- BTS is a South Korean boy band composed of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook.
- The group has evolved musically over time, shifting from hip hop to a wide range of genres, including pop, R&B, EDM, and ballads.
- They are among the best-selling artists in the world, with multiple chart-topping albums and global records.
BTS members
The South Korean boy band has seven members. BTS is one of the wealthiest K-pop bands in South Korea, due to their global appeal and massive revenue from album sales, brand endorsements, and sponsors.
They were initially a hip-hop group before shifting to K-pop music (Korean popular music). The group members are Rap Monster, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jimin, and Jungkook. Below are the BTS members' real names with photos.
BTS star's stage name | Real name |
Rap Monster (RM) | Kim Nam-Joon |
Jin | Kim Seok-jin |
Suga | Min Yoon-gi |
J-Hope | Jung Ho-Seok |
V | Kim Tae-Hyung |
Jimin | Park Ji-min |
Jungkook | Jeon Jung-kook |
1. Jin
Source: Getty Images
- Real name: Kim Seok Jin
- BTS role: Vocalist
- Birthday: December 4, 1992
- Age: 33 years (as of May 2026)
- Birthplace: Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BTS Jin's height: 179 cm (5’9")
- Education: Art and acting degree (Konkuk University)
- Career: Vocalist, singer, and songwriter
- Instagram: @jin
Jin is the oldest BTS member. The group calls him “eomma (mother)” because he loves cooking and cleaning for them. Kim Seok Jin did not have any singing background before BTS.
SM Entertainment hired him while in junior high school. He rejected the offer because he wanted to be an actor and also assumed they were frauds. The singer joined Big Hit Entertainment at age 21 and took voice lessons for at least a year.
The band member is notorious for his bad Korean and dad jokes. He has two signature moves: the flying kiss and pulling out paper hearts from his pockets. Kim has co-written at least three solo tracks with BTS: Awake (2016), Epiphany (2018), and Moon (2020).
2. Suga
Source: Getty Images
- Real name: Min Yoon Gi
- BTS role: Lead rapper
- Birthday: March 9, 1993
- Birthplace: Buk-gu, Daegu, South Korea
- Age: 32 years (as of May 2026)
- Suga's height: 174 cm (5’9″)
- Weight: 59 kg (130 lbs)
- Education: Liberal Arts Major degree (Global Cyber University)
- Career: Rapper, songwriter, and record producer
- Instagram: @agustd
Min Yoon Gi's nickname is Agust D. It is Yoon's BTS stage name, Suga Agus, in reverse. The D comes from his former rap group, D-Town or Town Daegu. Suga joined BTS in 2010 at age 17 after being second in the national rap audition in Korea.
The rapper impresses RM with his songwriting and production skills. Min Yoon Gi has produced around 70 songs. His studio is called ‘Genius Lab.’
In 2017, he won an award for producing Wine for Korean singer Suran and became a full-time member of the Korea Music Copyright Association. Suga has a knack for repairing broken stuff, usually caused by RM. He is proactive, savage, and blunt towards fellow BTS members.
3. RM (Rap Monster)
Source: Getty Images
- Real name: Kim Nam Joon
- BTS roles: Leader, main rapper
- Birthday: September 12, 1994
- Age: 31 years (as of May 2026)
- Birthplace: Ilsan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BTS RM's height: 181 cm (5’10”)
- Education: Broadcasting and Entertainment degree (Global Cyber University)
- Career: Rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer
- Instagram: @rkive
Rap Monster was the first BTS member and the current group leader. He helps members resolve their differences among themselves, with the management, and during performances. RM joined Big Hit in 2009 because the band made hip-hop music and trained for three years before the band's debut in 2013.
Since Kim Nam Joon is the only BTS member fluent in English, he teaches the group and translates during interviews. The rapper learned English from the American Friends Apart show. He is also fluent in Japanese and can quickly learn foreign languages.
Kim has produced at least 100 songs using English, Japanese, and complex beats. In his mixtape, RM, Kim Joon talked about other rappers and fans criticising him for staying with BTS when the group shifted to K-pop music. Rap Monster is a gay rights advocate. Fans call him the “God of Destruction” because he accidentally breaks almost everything he touches.
4. J-Hope
Source: Getty Images
- Real name: Jung Ho Seok
- BTS roles: Main dancer, rapper, sub-vocalist
- Birthday: February 18, 1994
- Age: 32 years (as of May 2026)
- Birthplace: Gwangju, Jeonnamdo, South Korea
- J-Hope's height: 177 cm (5’9”)
- Education: Broadcasting and Entertainment degree (Global Cyber University)
- Career: Rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer
- Instagram: @uarmyhope
Before joining BTS, Jung Ho Seok was among the best freestyle street dancers in his hometown, Gwangju. His stage name, J-Hope, came from his desire to give humans peace and hope. He auditioned for Big Hit at age 17 and trained for three years before the band's debut.
J-Hope left the band several times due to intense training, but RM would always bring him back. He is the group's lead dancer and choreographer because he learns the dance steps faster than the other members. Despite his sunny personality, Jung is very strict when teaching dance moves.
As a rapper, Jung Ho Seok collaborated on the Animal with 2 AM’s Jokwon. BTS members call him "eomma (mother)" because he often scolds them, likes cleaning their rooms, and keeps his room the cleanest. He often checks the BTS fan café (an online messaging board) to know what fans think of him.
5. V
Source: Getty Images
- Real name: Kim Tae Hyung
- BTS roles: Lead dancer, vocalist, visual
- Birthday: December 30, 1995
- Age: 30 years (as of May 2026)
- Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea
- BTS V's height: 178 cm (5’9″)
- Education: Broadcasting and Entertainment degree (Global Cyber University)
- Career: Singer
- Instagram: @thv
BTS was a 6-men group before its official debut. Kim Tae Hyung was the group's secret member for so long that fans were surprised when he was publicly introduced as the seventh member. He joined them at the age of 17.
V's BTS audition was an accident. His friends were auditioning. A Big Hit staff member also asked him to try out. He trained for two years before the band's debut. The V stage name means 'Victory.'
The singer loves acting, fine art, and photography. Fellow band members ridiculed V's acting skills in the historical drama Hwarang. He uses names of artists like Renoir and Van Gogh when buying stuff at Starbucks and supermarkets outside South Korea.
V's puppy's name, 'Tan-e,' comes from BTS' first name, Bangtan. He is an avid fan of amusement parks where he rides Gyro Swings, Drop Zones, and Roller Coasters.
6. Jimin
Source: Getty Images
- Real name: Park Ji Min
- BTS roles: Main dancer, lead vocalist
- Birthday: October 13, 1995
- Age: 30 years old (as of May 2026)
- Hometown: Busan, South Korea
- Jimin's height: 174 cm (5'8")
- Education: Broadcasting and Entertainment degree (Global Cyber University)
- Career: Singer and dancer
- Instagram: @j.m
BTS fans know Park Ji Min for his charisma on stage and amazing abs. He also has an intense work ethic and is a perfectionist. Jimin was the top student in contemporary dance in high school. He auditioned for Big Hit at age 18 and was a trainee for at least a year.
BTS almost dropped him several times because the training was quite challenging for him. As a result, Jimin was the last person to join the other six BTS members before the band's debut. V came along later as a seventh member.
Jimin is the only band member interacting with fans through Twitter and the VLive app. He dances or moves wherever he hears music. Jimin once starved himself for seven days, hoping to become thinner. BTS member Jin helped him love his appearance.
The Hulk from The Avengers is his favourite animated movie character because he destroys things with his bare hands. Jimin's motto is Let's keep on trying until we can't do it anymore.
7. Jungkook
Source: Getty Images
- Real name: Jeon Jeong-guk
- BTS roles: Main vocalist, lead dancer, sub-rapper, centre
- Birthday: September 1, 1997
- Age: 28 years (as of May 2026)
- Birthplace: Busan, South Korea
- Jungkook's height: 179 cm (5'9")
- Education: Broadcasting and Entertainment degree (Global Cyber University)
- Career: Vocalist and dancer
- Instagram: @bts.jungkook
Jungkook's position in BTS is that of the main vocalist, lead dancer, and centre of the group. Jungkook is the youngest BTS member. His bandmates call him "Maknae" or "Golden Maknae" because he is good at everything he does. American dancer Kyle Hanagami once complimented his dance moves.
Jungkook was not ambitious about singing but loved dancing. He auditioned for Superstar K in middle school but did not make it to the finals. Jeon Jeong-guk received offers from 8 entertainment agencies after the event. He was 13 when he auditioned for Big Hit, hence becoming the youngest person to join the band.
Jungkook trained for two years before officially joining the South Korean K-pop group. He has a Taekwondo black belt and a collection of female perfumes. The dancer loves doing laps or push-ups in the studio during his free time. Jungkook is the messiest BTS member, and his room is often disorganised. He has a weird habit of sniffling because he has rhinitis.
What is BTS' real name?
BTS is an acronym for Bulletproof Boy Scouts, which is translated as Bangtan Sonyeondan in Korean.
Who is the most popular BTS member?
V, whose real name is Kim Tae Hyung, is the most popular BTS member. He has been named the most handsome man in the world many times by multiple blogs and media houses. V’s merchandise sells out faster than other BTS members' merch.
What does purple mean in BTS?
BTS V singer explained that purple was a hue of love:
"Do you know what purple means? Purple is the last color of the rainbow. Purple means I will trust and love you for a long time"
What is the BTS' net worth?
BTS's collective net worth is estimated in the hundreds of millions by 2026, with individual fortunes varying. The group earns over $60 billion yearly from music projects, live tours, album sales, online concerts, and brand endorsements.
Who is the richest BTS member?
J-Hope's net worth of $30 million makes him the wealthiest BTS member.
What is the BTS members' net worth?
Below are the estimated net worths of all the band members:
BTS member | Net worth |
J-Hope | $30 million |
Suga | $30 million |
Rap Monster (RM) | $22 million |
Jin | $20 million |
Jimin | $20 million |
V | $40 million |
Jungkook | $35 million |
Do BTS members have girlfriends?
The Bangtan boy band members have been rumoured to be dating, but none have ever made their love life public.
What are the BTS members' heights in feet?
Below are the BTS members' names and heights in feet:
BTS member | Heights in feet |
J-Hope | 5’9” |
Suga | 5’8″ |
Rap Monster | 5’10” |
Jin | 5’9" |
Jimin | 5'8" |
V | 5’9″ |
Jungkook | 5'9" |
What is the coolest BTS song?
The ten coolest BTS songs are:
- No More Dream (2013)
- I Need You (2015)
- Save Me (2016)
- Her (2017)
- Friends (2020)
- Film Out (2021)
- Dreamers (2022)
- Promise (2023)
- Unholy (2023)
- Christmas Love (2023)
Success brought new challenges, responsibilities, and growth opportunities. Despite worldwide recognition, the BTS members continue to evolve both personally and professionally. Their journeys show how staying grounded and purposeful can shape life beyond fame. These paths remain a source of inspiration for fans around the world.
Kami.com.ph compared the net worth of BTS and EXO. EXO is a South Korean-Chinese boy band. It debuted in 2012 and has nine members. BTS is a South Korean boy band with seven members.
BTS and EXO have talented band members. Their fans, the BTS Army and EXO-L, are always comparing the riches, looks, and other facts to determine the best band.
Source: KAMI.com.gh
