A simple starter guide to K-Pop for beginners: male soloists explained

<< K‑Pop groups explained: a simple starter guide for beginners

This is an extension of the earlier introductory guide to K-Pop groups, which you can read about here. The same format will be used in this guide, which will introduce additional artists, focusing on male soloists. This is a work in progress, and more artists will be added over time. All artists are listed in alphabetical order.

See also:
Introduction to K-Pop girl groups
Introduction to K-Pop boy groups
Introduction to K-Pop co-ed groups
Introduction to K-Pop female soloists

If you want to know where the names of these artists come from and their meaning, read this: The origin and meaning of the names of K-Pop male soloists.

J-Hope

Company: Big Hit Music (subsidiary of Hybe)
Debut: 2013 (as part of BTS), 2018 (as a soloist)
Fandom: Army (as part of BTS)

Introduction:
BTS member J‑Hope is one of the most dynamic and influential soloists in K‑Pop, known for his explosive performance energy, razor‑sharp dance skills, and a musical identity rooted in optimism, rhythm, and artistic experimentation. Both with BTS and as a soloist, he built his reputation around the upbeat and energetic tone of his music and his performances, showcasing exceptional creativity, genuine personality, and a clear artistic identity. In his music, J-Hope often blends a variety of genres, such as synth-pop, rap, hip-hop, funk, soul, and retro. He also showed his incredible versatility by sometimes moving away from the more catchy and upbeat sound he’s known for, exploring darker concepts and a more experimental side. Thanks to this duality, the themes of J-Hope’s tracks can vary widely, ranging from playful and vibrant to introspective and bold. In any case, his songs are always filled with a distinctive personality and strong conceptual storytelling.

Listen to J-Hope if you like:
Rhythmic rap rooted in hip-hop and funk-soul, and music that can move from bright and upbeat to dark and introspective.

See also:
BTS, Jimin, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Suga, V

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Jimin

Company: Big Hit Music (subsidiary of Hybe)
Debut: 2013 (as part of BTS), 2023 (as a soloist)
Fandom: Army (as part of BTS)

Introduction:
Jimin has always stood out among the members of BTS thanks to the delicate and sweet tone of his voice, which is immediately recognizable, as well as his smooth and elegant movements as a dancer. With his distinctive vocals, he can bring a level of emotional vulnerability to all of his songs, while his graceful and fluid dance adds even more to his extremely expressive performance style. Over the years, he released various solo tracks, but only made his official solo debut in 2023, fully revealing his deeply personal artistic identity. His musical style leans into moody pop and contemporary R&B, with a sound that feels intimate but elegant. Reflecting this style, his songs tackle the themes of introspection and emotional honesty, often with an atmospheric and cinematic production. With ethereal vocals, exceptional dancing skills, and a deeply emotional musical style, it’s easy to understand why Jimin has consistently been among the most popular K-Pop idols for many years.

Listen to Jimin if you like:
Ethereal vocals, emotional pop‑R&B, expressive choreography, and music that blends vulnerability with elegance.

See also:
BTS, J‑Hope, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Suga, V

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Jin

Company: Big Hit Music (subsidiary of Hybe)
Debut: 2013 (as part of BTS), 2022 (as a soloist)
Fandom: Army (as part of BTS)

Introduction:
Similarly to the other members of BTS, Jin has emerged over the years as a complete performer who can excel both in singing and dancing, and with widely different concepts. Jin is known expecially for his warm and emotive vocal tone, which brings stability, clarity, and a gentle presence to all his performances. Arguably the most sentimental among the BTS members, Jin’s music leans mostly on soft pop and ballads, highlighting his ability to convey vulnerability and comfort through his voice. Meanwhile, his songs gravitate towards themes of longing, gratitude, and quiet resilience, creating music that feels intimate and heartfelt. After releasing a few solo songs over the years, Jin made his official solo debut in 2022, and since then he has expanded his range including elements of pop and pop-rock into his musical style. However, his music remains deeply emotional, and Jin keeps expressing his artistry through simplicity and sincerity.

Listen to Jin if you like:
Emotional ballads, warm and clear vocals, gentle pop production, and music that conveys sincerity and comfort.

See also:
BTS, J‑Hope, Jimin, Jung Kook, RM, Suga, V

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Jung Kook

Company: Big Hit Music (subsidiary of Hybe)
Debut: 2013 (as part of BTS), 2023 (as a soloist)
Fandom: Army (as part of BTS)

Introduction:
Jung Kook rose to prominence as the youngest member of BTS, and has become one of the most successful soloists in K-Pop. His potential as a soloist was already evident with the solo songs he released as part of BTS, and after his much-anticipated official solo debut in 2023, he broke all kinds of records. Known for his smooth vocals, genre versatility, and natural star presence, Jung Kook built a reputation for excelling in every aspect of performance. His music as a soloist reflects this, blending R&B and dance-pop with vocal precision and emotional warmth. Thanks to his soft voice, he’s able to deliver deeply sentimental tracks, while his flawless dance abilities are a perfect fit for his more dynamic dance-driven songs. In both cases, Jung Kook’s charisma is clear, and he’s able to embody any kind of emotion, changing his sound and performance to fit the theme of each song, and he can move seamlessly between upbeat and melancholic concepts.

Listen to Jung Kook if you like:
R&B and dance-pop music with smooth vocals, a dance-driven style, and a dynamic sound that ranges from upbeat to melancholic.

See also:
BTS, J‑Hope, Jimin, Jin, RM, Suga, V

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RM

Company: Big Hit Music (subsidiary of Hybe)
Debut: 2013 (as part of BTS), 2015 (as a soloist)
Fandom: Army (as part of BTS)

Introduction:
RM started his career in the underground Korean hip-hop scene, and he kept his indie-inspired rap style both as a member of BTS and his solo works. Thanks to his introspective lyricism, genre‑blending sound, strong rap skills, and the unique level of intellectual depth he brings to his music, he’s known for being one of the most distinctive artists in the K-Pop world. With his clear artistic identity, RM’s music is reflective, atmospheric, and rooted in themes such as identity, growth, and loneliness. Meanwhile, his sound leans mostly on alternative pop, hip‑hop, and soft rock, but his range is expanded by his many collaborations with artists who are often outside the mainstream K-Pop sphere, as well as his willingness to explore more experimental concepts. Showing his very personal and unique style, RM excels in thoughtful storytelling and emotional honesty, and the introspective themes of his songs make him feel sincere and relatable.

Listen to RM if you like:
Alternative pop and hip‑hop with strong rap sections and poetic lyrics, and music with introspective themes and emotional depth.

See also:
BTS, J‑Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jung Kook, Suga, V

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Suga (Agust D)

Company: Big Hit Music (subsidiary of Hybe)
Debut: 2013 (as part of BTS), 2016 (as a soloist)
Fandom: Army (as part of BTS)

Introduction:
Suga, also known as Agust D, is much more than a BTS member and a solo artist, as he’s also one of the most prolific and successful songwriters and producers in modern K-Pop. He writes and composes all his solo works, and often participates in the production of BTS songs, showcasing his outstanding abilities. As a soloist, he reveals his strong artistic identity with music rooted in introspective lyricism, raw honesty, and emotional depth. His sound leans mostly on hip-hop with powerful rap sections, but he also includes elements of R&B, pop-rock, and alternative music, creating a signature style that’s both gritty and melodic. Exploring themes such as hope, trauma, healing, and ambition, his music resonates with many fans, while his hardcore rap style turns vulnerability into strength. Bold and unfiltered, but at the same time introspective and emotional, Suga always brings a lot of personality into his works while also delivering charismatic performances.

Listen to Suga if you like:
Introspective rap, alternative hip‑hop with R&B and pop-rock elements, and music that feels emotionally deep but also charismatic.

See also:
BTS, J‑Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, V

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V

Company: Big Hit Music (subsidiary of Hybe)
Debut: 2013 (as part of BTS), 2023 (as a soloist)
Fandom: Army (as part of BTS)

Introduction:
BTS member V is known for his deep and soulful voice, his understated charisma, and the timeless elegance he brings to modern K-Pop. As a soloist, he shaped his artistic identity as a blend of R&B, jazz‑influenced pop, and minimalist production, often with classic sounds and vintage aesthetics. Rather than chasing trends, V’s music gravitates towards mood and atmosphere, crafting a style that feels gentle, nostalgic, and deeply personal, together with an intimate, cinematic, and emotionally grounded sound. However, V is also known for his duality, as he can also bring strength and intensity to his performances, using precise movements and subtle expressions. V’s versatility was already well-known thanks to his work with BTS and his solo tracks, and became even more evident after he made his official solo debut in 2023. Especially in his more recent solo releases, V has moved between pop, R&B, and jazz sounds, without losing his distinctive musical identity.

Listen to V if you like:
Soulful vocals, R&B‑influenced pop, minimalist and emotional production, and music that blends classic influences with a modern style.

See also:
BTS, J‑Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Suga, V