J-Hope

J-Hope, born Jung Ho-seok on February 18, 1994, in Gwangju, South Korea, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He began his career in the underground street dance crew Neuron and won local competitions before being recruited by Big Hit Entertainment. In 2013, he made his official debut as a member of the South Korean boy group BTS, serving as a main dancer and lead rapper.

As part of BTS, J-Hope gained international recognition, contributing as a performer, writer, and producer to the group's extensive discography. In 2018, he released his debut solo mixtape, Hope World, which entered the US Billboard 200 chart. He earned his first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019 with the single "Chicken Noodle Soup," featuring American singer Becky G. In 2022, he headlined the main stage at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, becoming the first South Korean artist to headline a major US festival, and released his debut studio album, Jack in the Box.

Throughout his career, J-Hope has received multiple honors alongside his BTS bandmates, including the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit awarded by the South Korean government in 2018. Following the release of the 2023 solo single "On the Street" featuring J. Cole, J-Hope completed his mandatory military service in South Korea, completing his duties in late 2024. He subsequently resumed his musical activities, performing as a solo artist and collaborating on group projects.