Kim Seok-jin

Kim Seok-jin, known professionally as Jin, is a South Korean singer born on December 4, 1992. He rose to prominence as a vocalist in the South Korean boy band BTS, which debuted under Big Hit Entertainment in June 2013. Within the group, Jin released solo tracks such as Awake, Epiphany, and Moon. He launched his official solo career in October 2022 with the single The Astronaut, later releasing the albums Happy in 2024 and Echo in 2025. Alongside music, he has worked as a broadcast host, web show personality, and commercial ambassador.

Jin was born in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, to a family consisting of his parents and an elder brother. He belongs to the Gwangsan Kim clan. In 2007, he attended a study camp in Australia to learn English. Although he initially aspired to become a journalist, he chose to pursue acting after watching the television series Queen Seondeok. He was scouted by SM Entertainment during junior high school but turned down the offer. He later attended Konkuk University, graduating with a degree in Film Studies in February 2017, before enrolling at Hanyang Cyber University for graduate studies.

While studying acting, Jin was scouted on the street by Big Hit Entertainment and joined the agency as an idol trainee. Following his 2013 debut with BTS, he co-produced his first solo album track Awake in 2016, followed by Epiphany in 2018 and Moon in 2020. He also released independent solo tracks, including Tonight in 2019, Abyss in 2020, and Super Tuna in 2021. Additionally, he recorded soundtrack songs such as It's Definitely You with bandmate V for Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth and Yours for the drama Jirisan.

In August 2022, Jin collaborated with Nexon as a game developer for MapleStory. He made his official solo debut in October 2022 with The Astronaut, co-written with Coldplay, before beginning mandatory military service in December 2022. After completing his service in June 2024, Jin served as an Olympic torchbearer in Paris, launched the weekly web variety show Run Jin, and released his debut mini album Happy in November 2024. In May 2025, he released his second album Echo and launched his first solo concert tour, the RunSeokjin Ep. Tour.

In addition to his entertainment career, Jin co-founded the Japanese-style restaurant Otsu Seiromushi with his brother in 2018 and later partnered with chef Baek Jong-won to establish the liquor brand Igin. He has served as a global ambassador for brands including Fred, Gucci, Laneige, Alo Yoga, and Jin Ramen. Jin was awarded the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2018 and named a Special Presidential Envoy in 2021. He is also active in philanthropy, supporting animal welfare organizations, UNICEF Korea, and Korea University Medical Center.