The hyung (Korean for “eldest”) in BTS, Kim Seok-jin is one of the most successful K-pop idols of this century. Popularly known as Jin and ‘Worldwide Handsome’, the BTS singer wears many hats. From sweeping accolades for his music to ruling the fashion industry — the K-pop idol has successfully left a mark on the global entertainment industry.
As the vocalist and visual of the K-pop group BTS, Jin plays an instrumental role in the band’s success. Besides lending his voice to multiple captivating BTS songs and acting in their music videos, Jin has to his credit chart-breaking solo tracks like “Awake”, “Epiphany”, “Tonight” and “The Astronaut”.
The singer-songwriter earned his first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “The Astronaut”. The song debuted at #51 and garnered over 4.9 million US streams. It also managed to have 44,000 downloads sold in the first tracking week, after its release on 28 October 2022.
Not to forget Jin’s latest feat, where the singer created history by becoming South Korea’s official torchbearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Amid loud cheers, the BTS star carried the Olympic torch to the Louvre Pyramid Museum in Paris at 12:00 am IST on 15 July. With this, Jin also became the first K-pop singer to carry the Olympic Torch.
[#오늘의방탄] The Olympic Games, Paris 2024 with #Jin
성화만큼이나 따듯하고 눈부셨던 진🔥
#오늘의진 #Jin #진 #BTS #방탄소년단 #올림픽 #Olympics #파리2024 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/x60dHP7soa— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) July 14, 2024
Things to know about Jin: Early days, BTS debut, love for cooking and more
A Sagittarius born in the Year of the Monkey
Born Kim Seok-jin on 4 December 1992, the BTS vocalist is a Sagittarius. According to the Chinese zodiac sign, Jin was born in the Year of the Monkey.
The Dog occupies the ninth position in the Chinese zodiac, and people belonging to this year are deemed cheerful, humorous, popular and confident.
Jin is from Gyeonggi-do Province, South Korea
The South Korean singer was born in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, but when he was a year old, his family moved to Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Jin initially wanted to be a journalist
BTS singer Jin wanted to become a journalist until his first year of high school. But the following year, he was moved by actor Kim Nam-kil’s performance in the Korean drama Queen Seondeok, which made him enrol as an acting major at Konkuk University.
Did you know Jin was an advertisement model before joining Big Hit?
Before debuting in BTS, Jin was a paid advertisement model for Etude House, one of the biggest cosmetic companies in South Korea.
Jin was scouted in Big Hit while getting off a bus
It was in 2011 that a casting director from Big Hit Entertainment chased Jin on the streets after seeing him get off a bus in Seoul. He then asked Jin if he wanted to try out K-pop, to which the latter agreed. Prior to this, Jin was also scouted before by SM Entertainment, but he didn’t proceed with it as he believed the whole thing to be a scam.
Jin finally debuted as a member of BTS on 12 June 2013, with the group’s first single album 2 COOL 4 SKOOL. He is the vocalist and visual of the group.
Solo music career
Jin has co-written and released three solo tracks with BTS: “Awake” in 2016, “Epiphany” in 2018 and “Moon” in 2020.
The Anyang-born has also co-written and co-composed two of his SoundCloud tracks “Tonight” and “Abyss”. The former was released in 2019 and is inspired by the deaths of Jin’s dog and two sugar glider pets. The latter was dropped on the music platform in 2020 and focuses on his personal fears and anxieties.
Jin made his official debut as a solo artist on 28 October 2022 with the digital single “The Astronaut”.
BTS Jin and the Coldplay connection
Did you know Jin co-wrote “The Astronaut” alongside British rock band Coldplay? Not just that, the track is produced by DJ Kygo, Bill Rahko and Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin’s son Moses Martin.
The inspirational soft rock track focuses on Jin’s love for ARMY.
Chris Martin gifted Jin his guitar
Jin’s bond with Chris Martin dates back to 2021 when Coldplay collaborated with BTS for their hit track “My Universe”.
In an interview with GQ Australia, Jin complimented Martin’s instrument and talked about the time Martin gifted it to him. He said, “I was so happy. After our collaboration, we had a chance to see him again in the U.S.,” Jin recalled. “When just the two of us were in the studio, I said to him, ‘Hey, your guitar’s cool.’ I mean, I’m such a big fan. Honestly, everything about him is cool. But he suddenly handed the guitar over, saying it was a gift.”
“I hadn’t been implying anything with my comment. Even in my dazed state, I was so excited I didn’t know how to respond,” he added.
BTS member Jin can play multiple instruments
Jin loves to learn to play new instruments and never fails to impress. He is good with the guitar and piano and often shows off his skills in various BTS’ live performances.
Jin is quite athletic
The “Moon” singer always had a knack for sports. During his primary school years, Jin’s favourite subject was Physical Education. He grew up loving tennis, swimming and golf. He also learned to snowboard as his father was a ski lover. Jin’s athletic abilities are a highlight of multiple RUN BTS (BTS’ own variety show) episodes.
The BTS member is multilingual
In addition to his native Korean, Jin can speak English, Chinese and Japanese. In multiple interviews and live streams, the singer is seen flaunting his skill.
Jin loves cooking and fishing
Did you know Jin’s artistic bent goes beyond his musical talents? The singer loves cooking and even had his own show, Eat Jin Live, which was live-streamed on the Vlive app during the initial years after BTS’ debut. One of his most favourite foods is Korean fried chicken. Additionally, the K-pop idol started his Japanese restaurant venture alongside his brother in 2018.
The South Korean star is also a lover of fishing. So much so that he once ended up writing up a song called “Super Tuna” while on a fishing expedition in 2021. The track was officially released on 21 October 2022.
He is a video game addict
BTS Jin’s love for video games is so deep that sometimes he ends up spending sleepless nights just playing them.
He started playing Super Mario when he was five years old and Maple Story in seventh grade and still plays them. Jin was also seen playing the classic kids’ game The Lion King during one of his birthday broadcasts.
Military enlistment
As the eldest member of BTS, Jin was the first to enlist in the military in December 2022. He completed his mandatory 18-month service and was discharged on 12 July 2024.
(Hero and Featured image credit: bts_bighit/X)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
BTS member Jin is also known as 'Worldwide Handsome' for his good looks.
A casting director from Big Hit Entertainment spotted Jin while getting off a bus and asked him to audition for BTS.
Yes, Jin has co-written and released three solo tracks with BTS: "Awake" in 2016, "Epiphany" in 2018 and "Moon" in 2020. The Anyang-born has also co-written and co-composed two of his SoundCloud tracks "Tonight" and "Abyss". The former was released in 2019 and is inspired by the deaths of Jin's dog and two sugar glider pets. The latter was dropped on the music platform in 2020 and focuses on his personal fears and anxieties. Jin made his official debut as a solo artist on 28 October 2022 with the digital single “The Astronaut”.
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Sushmita is a writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative stories. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Sushmita mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, you can find Sushmita dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
