Birth: December 4, 1992
Birthplace: Gyeonggi-do Gwacheon
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Position: Vocalist , Visual
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 63 kg
BTS fans, known as the ARMY, have fallen head over heels for each member of the group, and one member who's captured hearts worldwide is Kim Seok-jin, lovingly known as Jin. Born on December 4, 1992, in Gwacheon, South Korea, Jin is the oldest in the group at 30 years old.
Jin is BTS's main vocalist, and his voice is a blend of soulful and powerful, making his singing a highlight in their music. But it's not just his voice that stands out; his striking good looks have earned him the endearing title of "Worldwide Handsome" among fans.
Jin's journey from his hometown to international stardom is a captivating story, and his dedication to his fellow members and fans has made him a beloved figure in the BTS universe. Whether it's his heartwarming personality or his incredible talent, Jin has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of music and in the hearts of BTS enthusiasts everywhere.
Education
Before his debut with BTS, Jin had a passion for singing and even pursued an acting career. He studied acting at Konkuk University and graduated with a degree in film Studies on February 22, 2017, one of the prestigious universities in South Korea. However, his dreams of becoming an actor were put on hold when he was discovered by Big Hit Entertainment and joined BTS as the oldest member of the group. He later enrolled ingratiate school at Hanyang Cyber University to pursue his master's.
Kim Seok-Jin as An Idol:
BTS made their official debut in June 2013 with the single album "2 Cool 4 Skool." From the very beginning, Jin's voice stood out for its warmth and power.
Jin has also showcased his musical talents outside of BTS with his solo songs. He released the song "Awake" in 2016 as part of BTS' album "Wings," which he co-wrote and sang.
"Epiphany." These songs are not just about singing but also have meaningful lyrics that touch the heart. It was created as part of the "Love Yourself" series, which focused on themes of self-love and acceptance. Jin himself took part in writing the song. His heartfelt lyrics and emotions shine through in every word. "Epiphany" is part of BTS's album called "Love Yourself: Answer." This album is a compilation of songs that explore love and self-discovery."Epiphany" was released on August 9, 2018. Since then, it has become a favorite among BTS fans, known as the ARMY, for its powerful message and Jin's soulful vocals.
Moreover, “Moon" was released on February 21, 2020, as part of BTS's album "Map of the Soul: 7.” "Moon" is a special song from Jin to BTS's fans, the ARMY. In the song, Jin sings about how he wants to be a shining moon that lights up the darkest nights for the fans. It's a touching way of expressing his gratitude and love for the ARMY. Moon" received a lot of love from fans and music charts. It became one of the standout tracks on the album and showcased Jin's exceptional vocal talents. Fans appreciate the heartfelt message in the song, and it's often performed at BTS concerts, creating emotional moments between the group and their fans.
In 2016, Jin collaborated with bandmate V on the single “It Definitely You”, Hawrang: The poet Warrior Youth OST original soundtrack. In 2017 at the Melon Music Awards co-nominated for Best OST. In 2018, Jin was featured on an alternative version of “So Far Away’ Suga’s debut mixtape (AugustD).
Jin's solo covers include, “Mom” by Ra.D “I Love You” by Mate, and “In Front of the Pst office in Autumn”, originally by Yoon Do_hyun in 1994. All the covers were released on Soundcloud.
On June 4, 2019, < Jin released “Tonight” as part of BTS's sixth-anniversary celebrations. The song was written by Jin and Rm (Kim Namjoon) and the music production was done by Bighit record producers.
Jin released “Abyss” on December 03, 2020. The song is inspired by Jin’s feelings of anxiety, doubts, and burnout. Jin co-wrote the song with help from BTS leader RM and Bumzu and Pdgg were the song producers. End of 2021 Jin sang “Yours” OST TvN drama series “jirisan”. On December 4 Jin gifted a song called “Super Tuna” as his birthday present to his fans. It was a short trot-style song and went viral on social media after he posted the video on YouTube. The video ranked first on YouTube's World Popular Music Video for eight consecutive days and trended in 56 countries, including Korea, Peru, and Singapore. A subsequent dance challenge arose on Tiktok, with videos using the sound receiving over 141.8 million cumulative views in 10 days.
in August 2022, Jin teamed up with Nexon for a special project related to the popular game MapleStory. This collaboration was documented in a two-episode web series called "Office Warrior Kim Seok Jin," which was posted on MapleStory Korea's YouTube channel.
Then, on October 21, Jin treated fans to three official singles: "Tonight," "Abyss," and "Super Tuna." These songs became available for streaming worldwide and made an impressive debut on the November 5 issue of the World Digital Song Sales chart, with all three singles claiming the top three spots. Jin became the third solo artist in the chart's history to achieve this remarkable feat.
Following this success, Jin dropped his debut solo single, "The Astronaut," which he co-wrote in collaboration with the British rock band Coldplay. He also released an accompanying music video on October 28. Jin performed this new song live with Coldplay during their Music of the Spheres World Tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was broadcast live to cinemas in more than 70 countries. This single marked a significant milestone for Jin, as it landed him his first solo entry on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 at number 51 and secured his third number-one position on the World chart.
The excitement didn't stop there, as South Korean food company Ottogi announced Jin as the new face of their Jin Ramen instant noodles brand in the following month. A commercial featuring Jin was released on November 11, showcasing his growing influence and versatility beyond the music world.
Jin is not only known for his role as a tenor in BTS but also for his guitar skills. In the 2019 novel titled "BTS: The Review," members of the Grammy panel gave Jin high praise for his impressive musical abilities. They particularly admired his stable breath control and strong falsetto, affectionately referring to it as a "silver voice."
Music journalists have also recognized Jin's vocal prowess. Choi Song-hye of Aju News pointed out that in BTS songs like "Spring Day" and "Fake Love," Jin's singing displayed remarkable vocal stability. On the B-side track "Jamais Vu," his emotional range truly shone through.
His voice has been described as "tender, sorrowful, and free-spirited" by Hong Hye-min of The Korea Times, and it's often considered the standout element in solo ballads like "Epiphany." Critic Park Hee-a noted that in "Epiphany," Jin conveys some of the most heartfelt emotions among the solo tracks on the album "Love Yourself: Answer" (2018). Furthermore, in a review of "Fake Love," Park highlighted how Jin's powerful belting contributed significantly to the song's effectiveness, further showcasing his vocal prowess.
BTS & ARMY
In his journey with BTS, Jin has achieved incredible success. The group has received numerous prestigious awards, conquered global music charts, and performed to sold-out stadiums worldwide. Beyond their musical achievements, Jin's philanthropic side shines brightly. He has actively participated in charitable activities and made generous donations, reflecting his caring and compassionate nature.
One of the most heartwarming things about Jin is his deep care for his fellow BTS members. He's like the group's nurturing figure, always there to offer emotional support and encouragement, especially to his younger bandmates. Jin's often seen looking out for everyone's well-being, earning him the affectionate nickname of the "mom" of the group. His protective and caring nature has won him immense love and respect from both his fellow members and their fans.
Speaking of fans, Jin shares a special connection with the BTS fandom, known as the ARMY. He's renowned for his fan service and genuine interactions with ARMY members. Jin takes time to express his gratitude and appreciation for their unwavering support. His warm and approachable personality has made him a fan favorite, and he's admired for his humility and down-to-earth demeanor.
Public influence
In December 2018, Jin marked his birthday in a heartwarming way by making generous donations. He provided essential supplies like food, blankets, and dishes to the Korean Animal Welfare Association, showing his care for animals in need. Additionally, he donated a substantial 321 kilograms of food to the Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA), another Korean organization dedicated to animal welfare.
Starting from May 2018, Jin quietly began making monthly donations to UNICEF Korea, initially keeping these contributions private. However, his charitable spirit was eventually recognized when he was welcomed into the UNICEF Honors Club in May 2019. This honor was bestowed upon him for his remarkable donations of over ₩100 million, which is approximately equivalent to US$84,000.
In 2019, Jin's popularity soared, as he was ranked as the 13th most popular idol overall and the sixth most popular among girls aged 13 to 19 in South Korea. This ranking was based on data collected by Gallup Korea, an analytics company, highlighting his widespread appeal and influence in the country.
Military Service
On October 17, 2022, Big Hit Entertainment made an announcement regarding Jin's military service. After the release of his solo song "The Astronaut" and the conclusion of its promotional activities at the end of the same month, Jin would begin his mandatory military service. This decision followed an automatic postponement he received in 2021, which was extended until the end of 2022 due to changes in the Military Service Act in December 2020.
However, on November 4, 2022, Jin took a significant step by submitting paperwork to the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) to request the termination of his postponement, signaling his intention to proceed with his military conscription. He officially enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 13 at the Yeoncheon Army base in North Gyeonggi Province.
After completing his basic training with the 5th Infantry Division in January 2023, Jin was appointed as an assistant training instructor within the same division, continuing his military service duties.
Conclusion
Jin isn't just a remarkable singer and performer; he's also a truly caring and compassionate soul. His journey, from the early days before his debut to the incredible heights he's reached with BTS, is nothing short of inspiring. Jin's solo songs have touched our hearts, and his unwavering care for his fellow members warms our souls. His heartfelt interactions with fans make us feel like part of a big, loving family. As fans, we're privileged to witness Jin's growth and success, and we eagerly anticipate the many more milestones he'll achieve in his career. We're here, always supporting Jin, our beloved "Worldwide Handsome" and the caring heart of BTS. We can't wait to welcome him back with open arms after he completes his mandatory military service.