K-POP sensation Jimin has achieved global fame as part of boy band BTS.
But who is Jimin and has he now left the band as it has announced a hiatus? – Here’s what we know.
Who is Jimin from BTS?
Born Park Ji-min in October 1995, Jimin made his debut with BTS in 2013.
A keen dancer, he attended the Just Dance Academy and studied contemporary dance at high school in his home town of Busan, South Korea.
While at school, a teacher suggested joining an entertainment company, which led him to sign up with Big Hit Entertainment, who manage BTS.
In 2020, he graduated with a degree in broadcasting and entertainment from Global Cyber University.
The next year, he enrolled in a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Hanyang Cyber University.
Has Jimin left BTS?
In short, no, Jimin has not left BTS.
The group announced a multi-year hiatus in 2022 but made clear that they were not breaking up.
Jimin has released a number of solos and has continued to do so in 2023, suggesting that he will remain active despite the band being on hold.
When did Jimin drop his first solo album?
Jimin’s first work as a solo artist was a collaboration with BTS bandmate Jungkook on a Korean version of Justin Bieber’s Mistletoe, titled Christmas Day.
Since then, he has released solo work on and off while mostly working with BTS.
In 2018, he released his first credited solo song, Promise, which achieved the biggest 24-hour debut in SoundCloud history as it was streamed 8.5 million times.
However, his first solo album didn’t drop until March 24 2023 as he released “Face” with producers Pdogg and Ghstloop.
Why are BTS on a break?
BTS went on hiatus as each member must complete military service.
All able-bodied South Korean men must enlist for at least 21 months after turning 19 but before turning 28.
Each member of the band will complete their service at different times, taking on solo projects in the meantime.
The hiatus will last until at least 2025, BTS’ management confirmed.
They stressed that the band is not breaking up and plans to reunite when all members have completed their service.
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