A Guide to BTS Members (2023)

Are you a new Army just starting your journey into the Borahae Universe? Or are you someone who keeps hearing about BTS everywhere and wants to know what all the hype is about? You've come to the right place to learn everything you need to know about BTS.

Whether you're preparing yourself for BTS resuming group activities in 2025 after all the members complete their mandatory military service in Korea or trying to decide if you want to go all in and stan BTS, this quick guide to BTS will have all the info you need to be able to tell the BTS members apart, even after they change their hair colors. 

BTS is a seven-member k-pop boy band from South Korea. They formed the group in 2010 and debuted in 2013 under BigHit Entertainment., which is now under HYBE Labels. This Korean pop boy group has taken the world by storm with their activism, personality, and extensive discography that both young and old love. 

BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan, which is how you would say BTS in Korean, 방탄소년단. Bangtan Sonyeondan translates to Bulletproof Boy Scouts. The meaning behind the group's name starts with the word Bangtan which means resistant to bullets. The BTS members create music that speaks to adolescence having to block out the "bullets" of life, such as stereotypes, criticism, and expectations.  

BTS debuted under BigHit Entertainment on June 13, 2013, after the group was formed in 2010. BTS introduced themselves to the world with their first single and music video, No More Dream, which was also the title track for their debut album, 2 Cool 4 Skool.  

There are seven members in BTS. The BTS members include RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jin, Jungkook, Taeyhung, and Jimin. You might hear someone say OT7 in reference to BTS, which means one true seven. It's a play on the acronym OTP, one true pairing. OT7 implies that all members of BTS are vital to making the group what it is and wouldn't be complete without all seven members.  

Full Name: Kim Namjoon(김남준)

Hometown: Ilsan, South Korea

Birthday: September 12, 1994

Age: 28

Group Position: Leader, Main Rapper

BT21 Character: Koya

IG: @rkive

RM was the first BTS member to join the group. He is the leader of the group and a part of the rap line but will frequently lend his vocals to doing background singing for the group. He has a smooth, deep voice that exudes the bravado of a cool person. 

You will also find RM in the songwriting and production credits of many of BTS's songs. He is the member that knows the most English and usually takes the lead on interviews they do. RM used to stand for Rap Monster but later changed it to Real Me. Fans have come to love him for his dimples, his love for art in various forms, and his endearing nature of being quite clumsy.  

RM has two mixtapes entitled RM and Mono. Some of RM's solo songs include Trivia: Love, Intro: Persona, seoul, Reflection, and forever rain. RM is the third BTS member to release his official solo debut album, Indigo.

Full Name: Min Yoongi(민윤기)

Hometown: Daegu, South Korea

Birthday: March 9, 1993

Age: 29

Group Position: Lead Rapper

BT21 Character: Shooky

IG: @agustd

Suga is the second BTS member to join the group. He is a part of the rap line but, like RM, has dabbled in singing for his solo projects. For his solo projects, Suga goes by the name Agust D.  

Agust D is a play on his stage name where he flipped it backward and then added "DT' to it, which stands for his hometown, "Daegu Town." Fans have come to love him for his unique smile, quiet but observant nature, random moments of silliness, the way he whispers "ˢᵘᵍᵃ" before he starts his verses and his relentless dedication to his music as he is a well-sought-after producer and songwriter.

Suga released his first self-titled mixtape Agust D, in August 2016. He released his second mixtape, D-2, in May 2020. Some of Suga's solo songs include Tony Montana, Trivia: Seesaw, Interlude: Shadow, Daechwita, and So Far Away. Suga has yet to release an official solo album. 

Full Name: Jung Hoseok(정호석)

Hometown: Gwangju, South Korea

Birthday: February 18, 1994

Age: 28

Group Position: Main Dancer, Sub Rapper, Sub Vocalist

BT21 Character: Mang

IG: uarmyhope

J-Hope is the third BTS member to join the group. He is a part of the rap line. J-Hope is most known for his unique rapping voice and impeccable dance skills. J-Hope originally auditioned to be a vocalist, not a rapper, so it is no surprise that he is a sub-vocalist, lending his vocals to singing in some of BTS's songs.

Fans have come to love J-Hope for being the sunshine within the group, his bright smile, and the infectious energy he brings to any room he enters. J-Hope is also frequently referred to as "Hobi" as it sounds like Hope with the addition of endearment at the end.

J-Hope was the first BTS member to release his official solo album, Jack In The Box. He showcased many of the songs from that album during his headlining show at Lollapalooza 2022. Some of J-Hope's solo songs include Chicken Noodle Soup ft. Becky G, More, Airplane, P.O.P(Piece of Peace), Trivia: Just Dance, and Outro: Ego. 

Full Name: Kim  Seokjin(김석진)

Hometown: Gwacheon, South Korea

Birthday: December 4, 1992

Age: 30

Group Position: Sub Vocalist, Visual

BT21 Character: RJ

IG: @jin

BTS member Jin was the fourth member to join the group. He is the oldest out of all of the BTS members. Jin is part of the vocal line in the group, with his voice becoming a quick favorite for OSTs(original soundtrack) as his vocal range is impressive. 

He is often referred to as "World Wide Handsome," hence his group position as a visual. Fans have come to love him for taking on the role of caring for and raising up the group members as he is the oldest, his voluptuous lips, the way he screams 우리 아미, Our Army at concerts when addressing fans, and his out-of-this-world confidence. 

Jin was the second BTS member to release a solo album. Entitled The Astronaut, it was an album that only contained one song and was an endearing message of love to his fans about having to say goodbye for now as he has to leave to serve his mandatory military service in South Korea, starting on December 13, 2022, and is set to end the day before BTS's 10th debut anniversary, June 12, 2024. Some of Jin's solo songs include Awake, Epiphany, Moon, Super Tuna, and Tonight/This Night.  

Full Name: Jeon Jungkook(전정국)

Hometown: Busan, South Korea

Birthday: September 1, 1997

Age: 25

Group Position: Main Vocalist, Lead Dancer, Sub Rapper, Center, Maknae

BT21 Character: Cooky

IG: @jungkook.97

Jungkook is the fifth member to join BTS. He was only 13 years old when he started as a BigHit trainee and joined BTS. Jungkook is the youngest member of BTS. He is a truly versatile artist who excels in whatever genre or project he throws at him. His voice can blend seamlessly into many styles, with dance skills to match. Fans have come to love Jungkook for eyes doe eyes, bright smiles, piercings, and tattoo sleeves, as well as just being the baby that all the members watch grow up. 

Jungkook has yet to release an official solo album and has never released a mixtape. Some of Jungkook's solo songs include Euphoria, Begin, Still With You, My Time, Dreamers, and Decalcomania. 

Full Name: Kim Taehyung(김태형)

Hometown: Daegu, South Korea

Birthday: December 30, 1995

Age: 26

Group Position: Lead Dancer, Sub Vocalist, Visual

BT21 Character: Tata

IG: @thv

V was the sixth BTS member to join the group. He attended the same arts high school as Jimin, who were close schoolmates. His smooth, sultry and deep voice adds just the perfect touch to any song he is featured on. Fans have to love him for his unique sense of style, acting skills, old soul, sensitive side, and overall laidback, down-to-earth nature. 

Taehyung has yet to release an official solo album and has never released a mixtape. Some of Taehyung's solo songs include Winter Bear, Sweet Night, Scenery, Singularity, Inner Child, and Stigma. 

Full Name: Park Jimin(박지민)

Hometown: Busan, South Korea

Birthday: October 13, 1995

Age: 27

Group Position: Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist

BT21 Character: Chimmy

IG: @j.m

Jimin is the last member of BTS to join the group. His voice is nothing less of an angel, with his ability to hit amazingly high registers. Jimin studied contemporary dance in school, which shows in every performance where you can see him sacrificing his entire body for the choreography. 

His lyrical dancing is a marvel all on its own. His fans have come to love him for his stunning visuals, slightly crooked front tooth that gives his smile so much character, tiny hands, and sassiness with his fellow members. 

Jimin has yet to release an official solo album and has never released a mixtape. Some of Jimin's solo songs include Filter, Promise, Serendipity, Lie, and Our Blues ft. Ha Sungwoon.

For a lot of people, what gets them curious about BTS is their music. They are arguably some of the greatest entertainers and artists of our time. With a total of 70 daesangs, the highest recognition that a Korean artist or group can receive on a music award show, their music speaks for itself in why the BTS has dominated the music industry worldwide.  

Some of BTS's most popular songs are:

• Spring Day
• DNA
• IDOL
• FAKE LOVE
• Dynamite
• ON
• Blood, Sweat, and Tears
• Butter
• Mic Drop
• Boy with Luv
• Not Today
• Dope

BTS's discography is extensive, with 9 studio albums, 7 compilation albums, 6 EPs, 2 reissued albums, 1 soundtrack album, and two singles albums. 

• Dark & Wild
• Wake Up
• Youth
• Wings
• Face Yourself
• Love Yourself: Tear
• Map of the Soul: 7
• Map of the Soul: 7- The Journey
• Be

• 2 Cool 4 Skool / O!RUL8,2? 
• The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever
• The Best of Bangtan Sonyeondan - Korea Edition -
• The Best of Bodan Shonendan -Japan Edition-
• Love Yourself: Answer
• BTS, the Best
• Proof

• O!RUL8,2?
• Skool Luv Affair
• The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1
• The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2
• Love Yourself: Her
• Map of the Soul: Persona
• Dynamite
• Butter(Hotter, Sweeter, Cooler)

• Skool Luv Affair Special Addition
• You Never Walk Alone

• 2 Cool 4 Skool
• Butter

• BTS World: Original Soundtrack

BTS has held five tours: The Red Bullet Tour, Wake Up: Open Your Eyes Japan Tour, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage Tour, The Wings Tour, and The Love Yourself World Tour which had a tour extension called the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour. BTS's last planned tour, The Map Of The Soul Tour which was supposed to take place in early 2020, was canceled due to the global coronavirus pandemic. 

BTS's official light stick is called the Army Bomb. They debuted the first version of the Army Bomb on March 10, 2015. They are now on version 3 of the Army bomb which has an official app that fans can connect to via Bluetooth in order for their Army bombs to change colors during concerts. A Map of the Soul Special Edition light stick was released in April 2020 in anticipation of the Map of The Soul world tour, which was postponed and later canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

You can get an official Army bomb from BTS's weverse shop. You can also find the Map of the Soul special edition army bomb in The Daebak Company's official BTS merch shop. 

When attending BTS concerts, many songs have a fanchant that goes along with the song. A fan chant is words sung during the song that enhance the live performance. BTS fanchants always start off by naming the members in unison with the rest of the audience to the beat of the song: 

🎵 Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, Jeon Jungook, BTS!🎵

If you want to practice some fanchants to some of your favorite BTS songs before the next tour, here are some official fanchants pulled right from BTS's official fancafe and Weverse. 

BTS has created a series of variety shows for ARMY's enjoyment. The one thing you will never be as a fan of BTS is bored. They are constantly putting out content to engage their fans and provide insight into the different sides of BTS, outside of their music. 

Run BTS is a variety show web series by BTS where viewers can watch BTS taking part in different activities, games, and challenges. With 3 seasons and 150+ episodes, it's a great show to binge-watch so you can see BTS just having fun off the stage. You can watch the episodes on V LIVE, Weverse and Youtube.  

Bon Voyage is a reality show series that follows BTS as they travel to different parts of the world. With four seasons and six locations, you'll feel like you went on a trip with BTS as you watch each episode. Seasons 1-3 are available to watch on VLIVE while season 4 is on the Weverse app. 

BTS In the SOOP is another reality show that follows BTS to a picturesque private lakehouse nestled in the forests of Gangwondo Chuncheon, South Korea. The show portrays the BTS members getting a chance to relax and do fun activities that find the perfect balance between everyday life and leisure. Pop some popcorn and sit back as you explore the two seasons of the show on Weverse.

It is common amongst k-pop groups to give their fans a collective fandom name. BTS fans are known as ARMY. ARMY stands for Adorable Representative M.C for Youth." BTS and ARMY celebrate #ARMYDAY, the establishment of ARMY as BTS's fandom name, on July 9th of every year. 

Each member of BTS now has their own Instagram account but if you want to follow their group activities as a whole, you can find their group social media pages below! Since BTS announced that they would be focusing more on solo projects, for the time being, their solo projects are often promoted on their group social media pages. And even with the members focusing on solo projects, they recorded a ton of group content that they've been periodically releasing to hold their fans over until they return to group activities in 2025. 

Instagram: @bts.bighitofficial
Twitter: @bts_twt @bts_bighit
Facebook: bangtan.official
Official website: bts.ibighit.com
V Live: BTS channel
Official Fan Cafe: BANGTAN
TikTok: @bts_official_bighit
Weverse: BTS

So you've fallen down the rabbit hole that is becoming a BTS fan and now you need some official BTS merch. The Daebak Company has a BTS official merch shop that includes everything from BTS albums to BTS's Korean character BT21 merch and even exclusive BTS collaboration items.  

Can't get enough BTS? Check out some more BTS articles from The Daebak Magazine below.