Portrait · HeyDay / CC BY 4.0

j-hope

Rapper, singer, songwriter and dancer

Born 1994

j-hope is the South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter and dancer Jung Ho-seok, born in Gwangju. He developed with Neuron before moving to Seoul as a trainee in 2010, where RM and SUGA helped him learn rap. Neuron’s members recalled his independent practice and attention to movement and expression. A featured appearance on Jo Kwon’s Animal preceded his BTS debut. The group debuted in 2013. Within BTS, he contributes rap, songwriting and performance preparation. Wings expanded its album catalogue. Love Yourself: Answer gathered that series of releases. Map of the Soul: 7 followed in 2020. Hope World began his solo recording catalogue in 2018, including Daydream, Airplane and HANGSANG. Chicken Noodle Soup joined him with Becky G in 2019. The expanded Blue Side followed in 2021. Jack In The Box introduced MORE and Arson in 2022. His Lollapalooza performance extended the album to a festival stage. The J. Cole collaboration on the street followed in 2023. HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1 paired a special album with a dance documentary in 2024, reconnecting his music with his movement roots. He returned to solo work after military service. Sweet Dreams paired him with Miguel. MONA LISA added another 2025 single. Killin’ It Girl joined him with GloRilla. LV Bag expanded his collaborations. SPAGHETTI paired him with LE SSERAFIM. A concert film preserves the Goyang finale of his solo tour. In 2026, he returned to BTS’s recording and performance during the ARIRANG era.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

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Connected people

ConnectionBTSGroup membership, recording and performance.

ConnectionBecky GChicken Noodle Soup collaborator.

ConnectionJ. Coleon the street collaborator.

Lifestyle index · sourced and contextualised

Trivia & tastes

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Jules Verne’s novel recalled in his March 2018 interview; childhood edition unspecified.

Recorded with an attributable source

Cover source

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the SeaJules Verne; translated by David Coward

Childhood Jules Verne reading recalled in March 2018. Displayed English paperback is a catalogue reference.

Named item linked to an attributable source

luther — Kendrick Lamar and SZA

Selected for its calming quality in his Weverse playlist.

Recorded with an attributable source

All I Want Is You — Miguel feat. J. Cole

Recalled listening while dancing as a young person.

Recorded with an attributable source

Steve Lacy — the feeling

Named as a track heard on the way to the August 2026 GQ Korea shoot.

Recorded with an attributable source

Pho

Southeast Asian food discussed in his June 2025 refrigerator interview.

Recorded with an attributable source

Shabu-shabu

Described buying vegetables and meat separately to prepare it at home in June 2025.

Recorded with an attributable source

Reviewing performances

In a Butter-era interview, he described reviewing his performances, watching other artists’ filmed performances and refining dance practice.

Recorded with an attributable source

Earlier dinners

Said he tries not to eat late in June 2025; a personal practice, not nutritional advice.

Recorded with an attributable source

Eating earlier before performance

Described avoiding a meal immediately before going on stage in June 2025.

Recorded with an attributable source

Lip balm

Carried for dryness in his August 2026 essentials video; no exact brand verified.

Recorded with an attributable source

A lasting, subtle scent

Shows perfume he says he has been wearing in August 2026. Brand, concentration and size remain unverified.

Recorded with an attributable source

Two cats

Koreaboo’s December 2025 report and translation of his Weverse live; names not established.

Reported by a named source

Trivia & tastes

Books

Music

Food

Training

Diet

Skincare

Fragrances

Pets