J-Hope (BTS)

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Who is J-Hope (BTS)?

Jung Ho-seok (Korean: 정호석), known professionally as J-Hope (stylized in lower case), is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He made his debut as a member of South Korean boy band BTS in 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment.

J-Hope released his first solo mixtape, Hope World, in 2018. It was received positively by critics and peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard 200, the highest-charting album by a Korean solo artist at the time. He became the first member of BTS to enter the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist in 2019, when his single “Chicken Noodle Soup”, featuring singer Becky G, debuted at number 81. In 2022, J-Hope released his debut studio album Jack in the Box. In 2023, he released his single “On the Street” with J. Cole.

Quick Details

Stage NameJ-Hope (제이홉)
Full NameJung Ho Seok (정호석); 鄭號錫 (Hanja)
Also known asJeong Ho-seok; Chŏng Hosŏk; Jeihop; Cheihop
Date of BirthFebruary 18, 1994
Birth PlaceBuk District, Gwangju, South Korea
Zodiac SignAquarius
GenderMale
BirthdayFebruary 18
Age30
Height177 cm (5’10”)
Weight65 kg (143 lbs)
EducationGwangju Global High School; Global Cyber University
HobbiesListening to music and window shopping
ProfessionRapper, Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Record producer
Years active2012–present
GenresHip hop, K-pop
Member ofBTS (방탄소년단)
LabelsBig Hit
Honours Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit (2018)
Social media linksInstagram

Early Life & Education

J-Hope was born Jung Ho-seok on February 18, 1994, in Gwangju, South Korea, where he lived with his parents and older sister, Jung Ji-woo.

In March 2019, J-Hope enrolled at Hanyang Cyber University for the Master of Business Administration program in Advertising and Media. He previously graduated from Global Cyber University with a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment.

Career

Before debuting with BTS, J-Hope was part of an underground dance team called Neuron, and took dance classes at Gwangju Music Academy for six years, from fourth grade to his first year in high school when he signed with Big Hit Entertainment. He was relatively well known for his dance skills, and won various local prizes, including first place in a national dance competition in 2008. His dancing eventually led to an interest in singing, and he auditioned to become an idol trainee. While a trainee, J-Hope appeared as a featured rapper on singer Jo Kwon’s song “Animal”, released in 2012.

BTS (방탄소년단) Photo

J-Hope made his debut as a member of BTS on June 13, 2013, during their appearance on M! Countdown. He was the third member to join as a trainee, following RM and Suga. As part of BTS, J-Hope has released four solo tracks: “Intro: Boy Meets Evil,” “Mama,” “Trivia 起: Just Dance,” and “Outro: Ego.” “Boy Meets Evil” (2016) explored the theme of temptation and showcased J-Hope’s rapping skills, while “Mama” (2016) was a quirky tribute to his mother, capturing his energetic delivery. “Just Dance” (2018) was a funky track that used dancing as a metaphor for love, and “Outro: Ego” (2020) reflected on J-Hope’s career and personal growth, contrasting his stage persona with his true identity.

In 2019, J-Hope collaborated with V and Swedish singer Zara Larsson on the single “A Brand New Day” for the BTS World video game’s soundtrack.

J-Hope’s solo career began with the 2015 track “1 Verse,” a rap that sampled The Game’s “El Chapo.” It addressed his critics and highlighted his vocal and rapping versatility. On March 1, 2018, he released his mixtape Hope World, which included the single “Daydream.” The mixtape debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200, making J-Hope the highest-charting Korean solo act at the time. The mixtape’s success was marked by “Daydream” topping the World Digital Song Sales chart and making J-Hope one of the few Korean artists to achieve such a feat. He later released the full version of “Blue Side (Outro)” on March 1, 2021, to celebrate the mixtape’s third anniversary.

In 2019, J-Hope dropped the collaboration single “Chicken Noodle Soup” featuring Becky G, which debuted at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his second song to top the World Digital Song Sales chart.

In June 2022, J-Hope became the first BTS member to promote as a solo artist. He released his debut solo album Jack in the Box on July 15, preceded by the single “More” on July 1. That summer, he made history as the first South Korean artist to headline a major U.S. music festival when he performed at Lollapalooza. J-Hope also featured on Crush’s single “Rush Hour” and made notable appearances at the MAMA Awards and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

A documentary titled J-Hope in the Box was released in February 2023, showcasing the creation of his debut album and his Lollapalooza performance. That same month, he was named a Louis Vuitton brand ambassador. In March 2023, he released the collaboration single “On the Street” with J. Cole, which earned him his first top-40 entry on the UK Singles Chart and his highest ranking on the US Hot 100 at number 60.

In March 2024, Big Hit released the six-part docuseries Hope on the Street and the accompanying album Hope on the Street Vol. 1, which delved into J-Hope’s dance roots and artistic journey. The first episode premiered globally on Prime Video, and the album featured the lead single “Neuron.”

In January 2025, J-Hope announced his first solo tour, Hope on the Stage, starting on February 28, 2025, with three performances in Seoul, before expanding to major cities in Asia and North America.

Name

His stage name, J-Hope (제이홉), comes from his desire to represent hope for fans, as well as to be “the hope of BTS”. It is also a reference to the myth of Pandora’s box, as after the box was opened and all the evils inside were released to the world, the only thing left was hope.

Impact

In 2018, J-Hope, alongside the other members of BTS, received the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit from the President of South Korea. He also earned the distinction of having the most liked tweet globally that year, thanks to his post of the “In My Feelings Challenge.”

In July 2021, J-Hope and his BTS bandmates were appointed as Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture by President Moon Jae-in. This role tasked them with leading global initiatives for future generations, such as sustainable growth, and furthering South Korea’s diplomatic efforts on the international stage.

Philanthropy

Since 2018, J-Hope has been a member of the “Green Noble Club” for his high-value donations to Child Fund Korea. He has made numerous charitable contributions, including donating ₩100 million in 2019 to support his high school alma mater and ₩150 million earlier that year, which he requested to remain private. Over the years, he donated ₩100 million in December 2019 to assist children in need, ₩100 million in 2020 for children impacted by COVID-19, and ₩150 million in 2021 for children with visual and hearing impairments. He also contributed ₩100 million on Children’s Day for children affected by violence in Tanzania and another ₩100 million in December for heating and medical expenses for children in low-income families. By 2021, his total donations to Child Fund Korea reached ₩800 million.

In response to the 2022 South Korean floods, J-Hope donated ₩100 million to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. He also gave ₩100 million in February 2023 for emergency relief for children affected by the Turkey–Syria earthquake. In December 2024, following the Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash, he donated ₩100 million to the victims’ families as a gesture of support.

Military service

In December 2020, revisions to the Military Service Act allowed J-Hope and the other members of BTS to postpone their mandatory military service until the end of 2022. However, on February 26, 2023, Big Hit confirmed that J-Hope had canceled his deferment request and would begin his conscription. On April 1, the label announced his enlistment date, which was kept private, and J-Hope officially enlisted as an active-duty soldier on April 18 at the Army A Division Recruit Training Center in Gangwon Province. After completing basic training in May 2023, he was assigned as an assistant training instructor with the 36th Infantry Division in Wonju. He was discharged on October 17, 2024, after fulfilling his eighteen-month service.

Personal Life

In 2016, J-Hope purchased an apartment in South Korea worth ₩1.78 billion (2016) (equivalent to ₩1.81 billion or US$1.6 million in 2017) for his personal use. As of 2018, he lives in Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea with his bandmates.

Discography

  • Jack in the Box (2022)

Filmography

YearProgramRoleNote(s)
2024Hope on the StreetHimselfDocuseries; available on Prime Video and TVING
2023J-Hope in the BoxHimselfDocumentary; available on Weverse and Disney+
2022IU’s PaletteHimselfEpisode 14
2019Under NineteenHimselfDance tutor; episode 10
2017M CountdownHostWith RM & Jimin
2017M CountdownHostWith Jimin & Jin
2016InkigayoHostV, Moonbyul & Wheein
2016Show! Music CoreHostWith Jungkook

Awards & Nominations

Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResult
Hanteo Music Awards2024Artist of the YearJ-HopeNominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards2024Favourite On ScreenJ-Hope in the BoxWon
Seoul Music Awards2024Hallyu Special AwardJ-HopeNominated
Seoul Music Awards2024Main Award (Bonsang)J-HopeNominated
Seoul Music Awards2024Popularity AwardJ-HopeNominated
Circle Chart Music Awards2023Song of the Year – July“More”Nominated
Circle Chart Music Awards2023Song of the Year – July“Arson”Nominated
Circle Chart Music Awards2023Song of the Year – September“Rush Hour” (with Crush)Nominated
The Fact Music Awards2023Best Music (Spring)“On the Street” (with J. Cole)Nominated
The Fact Music Awards2023Fan N Star Choice Award – IndividualJ-HopeNominated
The Fact Music Awards2023IdolPlus Popularity AwardJ-HopeNominated
Golden Disc Awards2023Thai Fans Support with BaojiJ-HopeWon
Golden Disc Awards2023Best Album (Bonsang)Jack in the BoxNominated
Golden Disc Awards2023Most Popular Artist AwardJ-HopeNominated
Grammy Awards2023Album of the YearMusic of the SpheresNominated
Korean Hip-hop Awards2023R&B Track of the Year“Rush Hour” (with Crush)Won
MAMA Awards2023Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance“On the Street” (with J. Cole)Nominated
MAMA Awards2023Song of the Year“On the Street” (with J. Cole)Longlisted
Seoul Music Awards2023Bonsang AwardJack in the BoxNominated
Seoul Music Awards2023K-wave AwardJ-HopeNominated
Seoul Music Awards2023Popularity AwardJ-HopeNominated
Seoul Music Awards2023Fan Choice of the Year – AprilJ-HopeNominated
MAMA Awards2022Culture & Style AwardJ-HopeWon
MAMA Awards2022Most Popular Male ArtistJ-HopeWon
MAMA Awards2022Artist of the YearJ-HopeNominated
MAMA Awards2022Best Collaboration“Rush Hour” (with Crush)Nominated
MAMA Awards2022Song of the Year“More”Nominated
MAMA Awards2022Song of the Year“Rush Hour” (with Crush)Nominated
MAMA Awards2022Best Male ArtistJ-HopeNominated
MAMA Awards2022Best Hip Hop & Urban Music“More”Nominated

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