J-Hope
Jung Ho-seok (Korean: 정호석; born February 18, 1994), better known by his stage name J-Hope (stylized in lower case), is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He made his debut as a member of South Korean boy band BTS in 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment.
In this Korean name, the family name is Jung.
J-Hope
Global Cyber University
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
- dancer
- record producer
2012–present
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Jeong Ho(-)seok
Chŏng Hosŏk
Jeihop
Cheihop
J-Hope released his first solo mixtape, Hope World, in 2018. It was received positively by critics and peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard 200, the highest-charting album by a Korean solo artist at the time. He became the first member of BTS to enter the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist in 2019, when his single "Chicken Noodle Soup", featuring singer Becky G, debuted at number 81. In 2022, J-Hope released his debut studio album Jack in the Box. In 2023, he released his single "On the Street" with J. Cole.
Early life and education
J-Hope was born Jung Ho-seok on February 18, 1994, in Gwangju, South Korea, where he lived with his parents and older sister, Jung Ji-woo.[1]
In March 2019, J-Hope enrolled at Hanyang Cyber University for the Master of Business Administration program in Advertising and Media. He previously graduated from Global Cyber University with a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment.[2]
Career
1994–2012: Beginnings
Before debuting with BTS, J-Hope was part of an underground dance team called Neuron, and took dance classes at Gwangju Music Academy for six years, from fourth grade to his first year in high school when he signed with Big Hit Entertainment.[3] He was relatively well known for his dance skills, and won various local prizes, including first place in a national dance competition in 2008.[4] His dancing eventually led to an interest in singing, and he auditioned to become an idol trainee.[1] While a trainee, J-Hope appeared as a featured rapper on singer Jo Kwon's song "Animal", released in 2012.[5]