Everything to know about Jimin: The lead vocalist from BTS

Jimin remains the lead vocalist of BTS, the role he has held since joining the group in 2013. His voice anchors many of the band’s biggest tracks while his solo work has carved out a separate lane of chart records and critical notice. The story begins in Busan, where Park Ji-min was born in 1995 and trained at the Busan High School of Arts. Former instructor Mr. Lee later told Koreaboo that Jimin entered the modern dance department as its top student and excelled in both academics and performance.

Dance prodigy

Jimin auditioned for Big Hit Entertainment on his teacher’s recommendation and joined the label while still in high school. Most trainees spend at least a year preparing, yet Jimin was added last to BTS and finished his program in six months, the shortest period recorded for any member. He later credited the pace to nightly practice that sometimes ran until three or four in the morning, followed by an hour of vocal drills before school. That early discipline has carried forward: he has now collected seven consecutive Best Male Dancer titles through 2025.

Mainstream success

Within BTS, Jimin’s dance lines and vocal parts helped shape the group’s global sound. Outside the band he has continued to expand his reach. The 2023 single “Like Crazy” became the first track by a Korean soloist to top the Billboard Hot 100, and additional solo awards followed at the Seoul Music Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards. These milestones built on earlier streaming benchmarks while confirming his status as both group member and independent artist.

Going solo

Rumors of a solo project gave way to two full studio albums. Face arrived in March 2023, followed by Muse in July 2024. Between them Jimin released the pre-enlistment single “Closer Than This,” which served as a bridge to fans during his military service. The albums replaced speculation with documented releases and confirmed his evolution from group vocalist to charting solo act.

Social media star

Jimin’s Instagram account @j.m continues to draw tens of millions of followers, with frequent posts that blend behind-the-scenes footage, fashion campaigns, and direct messages to fans. Brand partnerships remain active, and his engagement levels stay among the highest in K-pop even after years of group and solo activity.

Military service and return

Jimin enlisted in December 2023 alongside Jungkook. He completed his service and was discharged in June 2025, part of the final wave that saw every BTS member finish mandatory duty by mid-year. The period paused live performances yet allowed time for recorded material to reach listeners while he trained.

Solo albums and chart dominance

Face and Muse together logged multiple weeks on global charts. “Like Crazy” not only hit number one on the Hot 100 but also drove streams past earlier solo singles, proving the audience for Jimin’s individual sound. Critics noted the shift toward more personal lyrics and production choices that still honored his dance background.

Enduring dance legacy and awards

Judges and fans have kept Jimin at the top of annual dancer rankings for seven straight years. Bonsang trophies and international nods have followed, yet he continues to cite daily rehearsal as the foundation. The same work ethic that shortened his trainee period now sustains a performance standard that newer idols reference in interviews.

BTS reunion and 2026 plans

With service complete, the group confirmed a new studio album slated for March 2026 and began preparations for a world tour. Jimin has described the upcoming material as a chance to blend the solo directions each member explored with the collective sound fans first embraced in 2013. The timeline places the band back on stages after the longest break in its history.

From the six-month training sprint to two solo albums and a completed military chapter, Jimin’s path shows consistent focus on craft over spectacle. The records and awards accumulate, yet the emphasis stays on the next rehearsal, the next track, and the next group project that will bring seven voices back together.