How old is Jungkook? The BTS singer was born on September 1, 1997, in Busan, South Korea, so he is 29 years old in international age. He is a Virgo, a member of Gen Z and the youngest member of BTS. His age on this page updates automatically every September 1.
If you have seen a different number online, you are not alone. Older K-pop articles often list Jungkook one or two years older because of the traditional Korean counting age. Below, we explain both systems, his age at every BTS milestone and how he compares with the other members.
How old is Jungkook? Quick facts
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Real name | Jeon Jung-kook |
| Date of birth | September 1, 1997 |
| Day of the week | Monday |
| Birthplace | Busan, South Korea |
| International age | 29 years old |
| Traditional Korean counting age | 30 |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Chinese zodiac | Ox |
| Generation | Gen Z |
| Group | BTS (youngest member) |
Jungkook’s Korean age explained
For most of his career, Korean fans and media used the counting age system. In that system, a baby is 1 at birth and everyone gets a year older on January 1, not on their birthday. Under it, Jungkook was already 2 years old on January 1, 1998, just four months after he was born.
In June 2023, South Korea officially switched to international age for legal and administrative purposes. Today, BTS and HYBE use international age, which is why you will see 29 on official profiles. Our exact age calculator shows both numbers for any birthday.
Three ways to count Jungkook’s age
- International age: 29, increases every September 1
- Traditional counting age: 30, increases every January 1
- Year age: 29, the current year minus 1997, used for some Korean laws
From Busan to Seoul at 13
Jungkook grew up in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city. In 2011, at just 13, he auditioned for the talent show Superstar K. He did not make it through to the final rounds, but several entertainment agencies offered him a contract. He chose Big Hit Entertainment, partly after seeing RM perform, and moved to Seoul to train as a teenager.
He spent around two years as a trainee, learning to sing, dance and perform while still in middle school. His debut came on June 13, 2013, when he was 15.
How old was Jungkook at each milestone?
| Date | Milestone | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Auditions for Superstar K and joins Big Hit | 13 to 14 |
| June 2013 | BTS debuts with No More Dream | 15 |
| May 2015 | First music show win with I Need U | 17 |
| February 2017 | Graduates from high school | 19 |
| May 2017 | BTS win their first Billboard Music Award | 19 |
| August 2020 | Dynamite tops the Billboard Hot 100 | 22 |
| November 2022 | Performs Dreamers at the World Cup opening ceremony | 25 |
| July 2023 | Seven tops the Billboard Hot 100 | 25 |
| November 2023 | First solo album, Golden | 26 |
| December 2023 | Begins military service | 26 |
| June 2025 | Completes military service | 27 |
The golden maknae
In K-pop, the youngest member of a group is called the maknae. Fans nicknamed Jungkook the golden maknae because he seemed good at everything: singing, dancing, sports, drawing and even video editing. Being the youngest also meant he grew up in front of fans, from a teenage rookie to a global solo star. Many fans have followed him since he was 15, which is part of why his birthdays are such big events every year.
Solo success at 25 and 26
In July 2023, at 25, Jungkook released Seven featuring Latto. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making him one of the few Korean solo artists ever to top the chart. His first solo album, Golden, followed in November 2023, when he was 26. A month later, on December 12, 2023, he began his mandatory military service, which all able-bodied South Korean men must complete. He was discharged in June 2025, at 27.
How old are the BTS members?
| Member | Date of birth |
|---|---|
| Jin | December 4, 1992 |
| Suga | March 9, 1993 |
| J-Hope | February 18, 1994 |
| RM | September 12, 1994 |
| Jimin | October 13, 1995 |
| V | December 30, 1995 |
| Jungkook | September 1, 1997 |
Jin, the oldest member, is almost five years older than Jungkook. Jimin and V, born just over two months apart, are the members closest to him in age.
Jungkook’s zodiac sign: Virgo
With a September 1 birthday, Jungkook is a Virgo, the earth sign associated with hard work, attention to detail and perfectionism. That fits a performer famous for practising choreography until it is flawless. In Chinese astrology, 1997 was the Year of the Ox, a sign linked to strength and patience.
How fans celebrate Jungkook’s birthday
Every September 1, ARMY around the world celebrate Jungkook’s birthday in very K-pop ways. Fan groups book digital billboards in Seoul subway stations and on famous screens such as those in Times Square, pay for themed cafe events filled with photos and cup sleeves, and organise donations to charity in his name. Birthday hashtags usually trend worldwide for most of the day.
Because Korea is several hours ahead of Europe and the Americas, the celebrations start online a day early for many fans, on the afternoon of August 31 in Europe and even earlier in the Americas. That time difference is also worth remembering when you check his age: in Seoul, he turns a year older before most of the world.
Is Jungkook Gen Z?
Yes. With a 1997 birthday, Jungkook is one of the oldest members of Gen Z, the generation born from 1997 to 2012. He is the only BTS member in Gen Z, since the other six were all born between 1992 and 1995, which makes them millennials. It is one more way he stands apart as the group’s youngest.
Famous people born in 1997
- Mingyu of SEVENTEEN, born April 6, 1997
- Jacob Elordi, born June 26, 1997
- Kylie Jenner, born August 10, 1997
- Jungkook, born September 1, 1997
The 97 line: idols born the same year as Jungkook
In Korea, people born in the same year are often treated as friends of equal status, no matter which month they were born in. K-pop fans call these groups lines, so idols born in 1997 are known as the 97 line. Jungkook belongs to one of the most famous lines in K-pop.
- Jaehyun of NCT, born February 14, 1997
- Rose of BLACKPINK, born February 11, 1997
- Lisa of BLACKPINK, born March 27, 1997
- Cha Eun-woo of ASTRO, born March 30, 1997
- Mingyu of SEVENTEEN, born April 6, 1997
- BamBam of GOT7, born May 2, 1997
- Jungkook of BTS, born September 1, 1997
Several of these idols have talked about their 97 line friendships on variety shows over the years, and fans love spotting them together at award ceremonies. Jungkook is one of the youngest of the group, since his birthday falls in September.
Why age matters so much in K-pop
In Korean culture, age decides how people speak to each other. Younger people use polite forms of speech and honorific titles for anyone older. A younger man calls an older man hyung, which means older brother, and an older woman noona. As the youngest member of BTS, Jungkook calls all six other members hyung.
This is one reason fans pay so much attention to idols’ birthdays. Knowing who is older tells you how members address each other, who takes care of whom and who gets teased for being the baby of the group.
Military service and age
All able-bodied South Korean men must complete around 18 to 21 months of military service, usually before they turn 28. In 2020, the law was changed so that pop stars who receive a high government cultural award can delay their service until 30, a change often linked to BTS.
Jin, the oldest member, enlisted first in December 2022, shortly after turning 30. Jungkook did not need to wait that long. He chose to enlist together with Jimin on December 12, 2023, at 26, and both were discharged in June 2025. By then, all seven members had completed their service and BTS could plan their reunion as a full group.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Jungkook?
Jungkook is 29 years old in international age. He was born on September 1, 1997.
How old is Jungkook in Korean age?
In the traditional Korean counting age, he is 30 this year. South Korea now officially uses international age.
When is Jungkook’s birthday?
His birthday is September 1.
How old was Jungkook when BTS debuted?
He was 15 when BTS debuted on June 13, 2013.
How old was Jungkook when Seven came out?
He was 25. Seven was released in July 2023.
How old was Jungkook when he enlisted?
He was 26 when he began military service in December 2023.
Who is the youngest member of BTS?
Jungkook is the youngest member of BTS, which is why fans call him the golden maknae.
Conclusion
Jungkook was born on September 1, 1997, in Busan, and is 29 years old in international age. He joined Big Hit at 13, debuted with BTS at 15, topped the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist at 25 and completed his military service at 27. If you see him listed as older elsewhere, it is almost always the traditional Korean counting age, which South Korea stopped using officially in 2023. Bookmark this page, and the next time someone asks how old the golden maknae is, you will have the right answer for both systems, updated automatically every year.