If You Haven’t Caught Up on BTS Yet, Here’s Your Chance

Now that all seven members of Korean music phenomenon BTS have made their solo debuts, you may be wondering: but who are they? Or you might have seen a photo of the immaculately groomed septet and thought “how will I ever be able to tell them apart?” Well, first, check yourself – if you think all Koreans look the same, may I suggest diversifying your media consumption? – but second, I’ve got you covered. This playlist and listening guide will give you the introduction you need to appreciate the members – musically, stylistically, and yes, visually – so you’re ready to be hyped when they all come together again in 2025.

Note: find the Apple Music version here.

Jimin — “Like Crazy” & “Alone”

Birth Name: Park Jimin
Age: 28
Signature Style: Chic duality; soft sweaters & dangly earrings, ripped jeans & leather.
Distinguishing Features: Petite nose and Bratz Doll lips.

Often mistaken for a female singer, Jimin’s high, sweet tenor gives BTS’s music an androgynous appeal. He’s also proven himself a capable songwriter, as is amply clear from these cuts from his debut EP FACE.

V — “Scenery” & “Love Me Again”

Birth Name: Kim Taehyung
Age: 28
Signature Style: Vintage cool; suits and luxe knits, high-fashion labels.
Distinguishing Features: Large eyes and beauty marks.

On the other end of the vocal spectrum in BTS is V, whose warm, resonant voice dips into the baritone range. His solo work is perfectly suited to his chocolatey tone, embracing folk and jazz influences.

Jimin & V — “Friends”

This duet between Jimin & V, who often declare themselves “soulmates,” showcases their unique timbres and is shaped by songwriting & producing by Jimin.

J-Hope – “Future” & “STOP”

Birth Name: Jung Hoseok
Age: 29
Signature Style: Street-dance cool with a delicate edge; dainty details and baggy fits.
Distinguishing Features: Big smile and slim figure.

Rapper/singer J-Hope’s clear tenor and raspy but piercing rap flow are both highlighted in these cuts from his debut solo album Jack in the Box, as is his colorful, eclectic production style.

Agust D – “Haegeum” & “Life Goes On”

Birth Name: Min Yoongi
Age: 30
Signature Style: Unfussy but mature; comfy casualwear and clean, timeless fashion.
Distinguishing Features: Cat-like eyes and short stature.

Known within BTS as Suga, Agust D’s versatility as a writer/producer has shaped BTS’s sound from the beginning. In “Haegeum,” his addictive flow is supported by traditional Korean instruments, while “Life Goes On” shows a softer, piano-driven side of the rapper.

Jimin, V, J-Hope, and Suga – “Fly To My Room”

In this subunit track from BTS’s most recent studio album BE (2020), Jimin and V’s shimmery vocals complement melodic rap verses from J-Hope and Suga.

Jin – “The Astronaut” & “Abyss”

Birth Name: Kim Seokjin
Age: 31
Signature Style: Trendy comfort; matching sets and slim-fit suits.
Distinguishing Features: “Worldwide Handsome” face (combining Korean and Western beauty ideals) and broad shoulders.

Eldest BTS member Jin is an avowed pop-rock fan, and his emotional but expertly-controlled tenor is a perfect match for the genre — so it’s no surprise that “The Astronaut,” his first commercial solo single, was born from a collaboration with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. In self-penned “Abyss,” Jin shows off his silvery falsetto to maximum effect.

RM – “Lonely” & “Trivia: Love”

Birth Name: Kim Namjoon
Age: 29
Signature Style: Cozy chic with a refined sensibility; effortless luxury.
Distinguishing Features: Deep cheek dimples and large frame.

Group leader RM is — naturally — a born collaborator, so truly solo tracks make up a small slice of his output. Here, “Lonely” makes his pop songwriting bonafides clear, while “Trivia 承: Love” flexes his smooth rap flow and flair for multilingual poetry.

Jung Kook – “Standing Next to You” & “Still With You”

Birth Name: Jeon Jungkook
Age: 27
Signature Style: Gen-Z androgyny; likes to play with proportions.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Distinctive nose, facial piercings, tattoo sleeve.

Youngest member Jung Kook is currently making a play for solo international stardom with all-English album Golden. His smooth, appealing pop tenor and boyish charm make that dream well within his reach – as can be readily heard in “Standing Next to You” – but 2020’s “Still With You” is a testament to his skill as a songwriter.

Jin, RM, and Jung Kook — “Stay”

Also from BE, “Stay” is a compelling electro-dance track that contrasts RM’s gravelly baritone with Jin and Jung Kook’s crystalline tenors.

BTS – “Paradise” & “Take Two”

All seven members can be heard on these two tracks. “Paradise,” from their 2018 album Love Yourself 轉: Tear, exemplifies the band’s addictive pop-R&B sound and fluent rapping, while “Take Two” is a Suga-produced special single released to celebrate BTS’s 10th anniversary in June 2023. Unfortunately, it will likely be the last new track we hear from the full lineup until they complete their mandatory military service and reunite in 2025. And for those afraid of a One Direction situation: don’t worry! All seven members have recently re-signed with their label Big Hit Entertainment and can’t seem to stop talking about how excited they are to be BTS again.