As BTS marks its 12th anniversary, excitement is growing among fans who await the group's return. All seven members have now completed their mandatory military service. With this, the beloved K-pop band is expected to reunite soon, possibly for a grand comeback. Their last group performance was in 2022. Amid the buzz, J-Hope recently spoke about his early journey with BTS, stirring emotional memories for fans.
J-Hope Opens Up About His First Audition
In an interview with Teen Vogue, J-Hope shared details about some of his first major moments in his career. He recalled the audition that changed his life. “I danced to Miguel’s music for my first audition and created a choreography to Miguel’s Sure Thing. So when I got to collaborate with Miguel recently, it felt very special, and it was an honor for me," he said. J-Hope described how it felt to audition for a big opportunity. “I think auditions are all pretty much the same. It was bittersweet. While you feel a sense of relief that it’s finally over, you also feel disappointed about the moments where you could’ve done better."
First Day as a Trainee Felt More Real Than Expected
The BTS rapper also shared personal memories from his trainee days, giving fans a glimpse into his humble beginnings. “When I was a trainee, the first day was December 24, 2010, on Christmas Eve. I came to Seoul and went straight to the place where I was going to live with my members at the time," he said. J-Hope had imagined the trainee lifestyle would be well-organized and clean. But reality surprised him.
“I had fantasised about being a trainee and expected everything to be neat and well-structured. But when I got there, it was actually very messy. That made it feel more real and human. ‘Wow, this is where I’ll be starting my life as a trainee,’ that thought settled in. That first day was about cleaning up the mess around me."
View this post on Instagram
Helping Fellow Members Adjust to Trainee Life
J-Hope also remembered how he guided newer members during their early days. “It’s different for every member. I didn’t teach dance to all the members from the start." He gave examples of how he helped each member differently. “For example, when Jung Kook first arrived, I taught him the rules of our shared dorm, and the same with V. For Jimin, I met him at the bus stop when he arrived in Seoul from Busan for the first time. I told him about what it’s like to be a trainee together. For Jin, I can’t really teach him the rules as he is older than me."
View this post on Instagram
A New Chapter After Military Service
J-Hope also spoke about his first music video project after finishing his military duty. He revealed that it was for his collaboration with Miguel on the track Sweet Dreams. His reflections came at a time when ARMYs around the world are celebrating BTS’s 12-year journey and looking forward to the band’s comeback. For many fans, J-Hope’s memories bring back strong emotions tied to BTS’s humble beginnings and incredible rise.