BTS is officially returning from a years-long group hiatus. On July 1, the band reunited in a Weverse livestream, marking their first public appearance since they stepped away in 2022 to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service. They shared some good news for their ARMY fandom, announcing a new album and a world tour slated for spring 2026. “I hope you’re as excited as we are,” they said.
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Since debuting in 2013, BTS has broken numerous global records and reached historic heights. They were the first K-pop group to top the Billboard Hot 100 with “Dynamite” in 2020, later achieving three more No. 1 hits with “Butter,” “Permission to Dance,” and “Life Goes On.” That year, they also became the first K-pop group to be nominated for a Grammy.
Ahead of their musical return, keep reading to learn all about the seven South Korean performers: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
RM
RM, born Kim Nam-joon on Sept. 12, 1994, first gained attention as an underground rapper using the name “Runch Randa.” He was already known in Seoul’s hip-hop circles before Bang Si-hyuk, the founder of HYBE Corporation (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), built BTS around him.
His reputation as a gifted lyricist and producer drew Si-hyuk’s interest, and he joined the company as BTS’s leader. RM frequently introduces the group’s songs, writes and translates lyrics, and helps shape the group’s public voice and image. His solo works include two albums: 2022’s Indigo and 2024’s Right Place, Wrong Person.
Outside of music, RM is known for his love of literature and book recommendations. In 2017, he also revealed to Ellen DeGeneres that his fluency in English is largely thanks to watching the show Friends.
Jin
Jin, born Kim Seok-jin on Dec. 4, 1992, is the oldest member of BTS and one of the main vocalists. He didn’t begin as a professional entertainer like idol trainees often do; he was scouted for his looks and later trained at Big Hit, according to a 2021 Rolling Stone cover story.
During BTS’s hiatus, he dropped two solo albums—2024’s Happy and 2025’s Echo—and starred in the Netflix series Kian’s Bizarre B&B. Known for his humor and food content, Jin made his acting debut in March 2025, appearing in a Jin Ramen by Okaki commercial framed as a K-drama with a comedic twist.
Suga
Suga, born Min Yoon-gi on March 9, 1993, started in the underground rap scene before joining the group. As one of BTS’s main rappers and producers, he contributes beats and composes parts of the group’s catalog. Lyrically, he’s explored themes of depression and mental health, especially within solo tracks such as “The Last” and “Amygdala,” which he dropped under the alias Agust D in 2023.
Aside from music, Suga has talked about his love of basketball, which he started playing recreationally when he was a kid. “I wish to have Korean NBA stars soon in hopes that basketball can be popular again in Korea,” he said in an NBA video in 2023. The rapper, who’s an NBA ambassador, also revealed that some of his favorite basketball players are point guard Damian Lillard and retired shooting guard Allen Iverson.
J-Hope
J-Hope, born Jung Ho-seok on Feb. 18, 1994, began his career as a street dancer before joining BTS. He trained at Gwangju Music Academy and gained recognition in the local dance scene as part of the crew Neuron, where his technique made him stand out. His dance background eventually led him to audition for Big Hit Entertainment, where he became the group’s lead dancer and one of its three main rappers.
Known for his high-energy performances and precise choreography, J-Hope has helped define BTS’s dynamic stage presence. Beyond group work, he’s released solo projects including the mixtape Hope World (2018) and his debut studio album, Jack in the Box (2022).
During BTS’s hiatus, he performed at major music festivals like Lollapalooza in 2022 and Lollapalooza Berlin in July 2025. J-Hope’s other creative pursuits include fashion, which he embraces as a Louis Vuitton ambassador.
Jimin
Jimin, born Park Ji-min on Oct. 13, 1995, studied modern dance at the Busan High School of Arts before joining Big Hit Entertainment as a trainee in 2012, per the news outlet Korea Now. He’s one of BTS’s main vocalists and dancers, known for his expressive stage presence and fluid dance style.
He released his debut solo album FACE in 2023, which included the hit single “Like Crazy,” making him the first South Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He later followed it up with Muse in 2024, expanding his pop and R&B sound. On the fashion front, he’s an ambassador for Dior and Tiffany & Co.
V
V, born Kim Tae-hyung on Dec. 30, 1995, was discovered by Big Hit after accompanying a friend to an audition. His soulful voice and charisma helped him earn a spot as one of BTS’s vocalists. Within the group, V is known for his velvety tone, which adds depth to the group’s ballads and more theatrical songs. His artistic sensibility also extends to acting and visual storytelling—he made his acting debut in the 2016 K-drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.
V released his first solo album, Layover, in 2023, featuring jazz and R&B influences that highlighted his distinctive vocals. He’s also cultivated a close relationship with luxury brands, serving as a global ambassador for Cartier and Celine.
Jungkook
Jungkook, born Jeon Jung-kook on Sept. 1, 1997, is the youngest member of BTS and its main vocalist. He’s known for his wide vocal range and his multi-hyphenate talent: He sings, dances, produces, and directs, notably helming BTS’s “Life Goes On” music video.
During the group’s hiatus, Jungkook launched his solo career with the 2023 chart-topping single “Seven,” featuring Latto, followed by his debut album, Golden, later that year. Beyond music, Jungkook is known for his athleticism, passion for boxing and fitness, and tattoo art. He even showed off his ink in Calvin Klein’s holiday 2025 campaign that dropped in October.
