Did you know BTS star Jungkook was eliminated on 'Superstar K'?

Before becoming the "golden maknae" of BTS, Jungkook's journey took an unexpected turn during his second year of middle school. He appeared on Mnet's survival show 'Superstar K', where he was eliminated in the preliminaries.

Despite the early setback, his natural star quality stood out, catching the attention of multiple talent scouts.

According to industry accounts, seven different agencies extended casting invitations, including JYP Entertainment, Starship, Cube, FNC, Woollim, and TS. Receiving such interest at just 15 years old underscored how industry professionals recognised Jungkook's strong potential before he even trained formally.

The episode has since been revisited in online communities, sparking admiration for the decisive turn that shaped his career.

The decisive influence of RM

Rather than joining one of the established powerhouses, Jungkook made the unconventional decision to join Big Hit Entertainment, which at the time was considered a relatively small company with limited resources. His decision, as he later shared, came after witnessing future bandmate RM during practice sessions.

RM's rap skills left such an impression that Jungkook felt motivated to join Big Hit, believing in the energy and vision of the label. This choice not only defined his path but also contributed to the unique synergy that would later characterize BTS. What seemed at first like a risky move became a career-defining decision, elevating Jungkook into one of the most sought-after idols in the industry.

Training, doubts, and growth

After entering Big Hit, Jungkook was given extended opportunities for development, even traveling to the United States for a month-long dance training program supported by the company.

During that period, he briefly considered whether his passion lay more with dance than with singing. However, with encouragement from his fellow trainees, Jungkook reaffirmed his dream of becoming a singer and returned stronger, building his identity as both a vocalist and performer. Years later, his trajectory reflects those early days of discipline and self-discovery. Fans often recall this chapter not just as an anecdote, but as the very foundation of the artist's resilience and skill.

From bold decision to global spotlight

Jungkook's youthful choice to follow his instincts rather than the safer path of joining a larger agency has since proven pivotal. His admiration for RM led him to a modest company that would evolve into HYBE, home to one of the most successful music groups in history. Together with the other members, Jungkook helped BTS achieve unprecedented milestones that reshaped the global K-pop industry.

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