Who Was The First BTS Member? (Story Explained)

If you’ve ever fallen down a BTS rabbit hole at 2 AM (no judgment, we’ve all been there), you’ve probably wondered: who actually started it all? Who was the very first person to become a member of BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan)?

Let me just tell you right away, and then we’ll get into the full story, because honestly, it’s fascinating.

Key Takeaway: Who Was the First BTS Member?

RM, also known as Kim Namjoon, was the first BTS member to join in 2010 as a foundational member. Having a background in rapping, Bang Si-hyuk recruited him, and he later helped in giving the direction to BTS as a group in the initial days.

Before we dive into the full story, here’s everything you need to know straight to the point.

Question	Answer
First member to join BTS	RM (Kim Namjoon)
The year he joined	2010
How RM was discovered	Through underground rap; introduced to Big Hit CEO Bang Si-hyuk via rapper Untouchable’s Sleepy
His age when he signed	15 years old
RM’s role in BTS	Leader, Main Rapper
BTS debut year	2013

RM’s real name is Kim Namjoon, born September 12, 1994, was the very first member to be recruited into what would become BTS. 

He joined Big Hit Entertainment in 2010, a full three years before the group debuted publicly.

Read the full profile of RM here to know about his age, birthday, story before debut, etc.

How Did RM Become the First BTS Member?

It all started with a demo tape. Big Hit CEO Bang Si-hyuk revealed in a TIME interview that his producer Pdogg brought him RM’s demo tape and said, “This is what the young kids are into.” RM was just 15 years old. Bang signed him immediately.

Before that, RM had been making waves in Seoul’s underground rap scene under the name “Runch Randa.” Rapper Untouchable’s Sleepy was so impressed after judging one of his auditions that he passed RM’s contact directly to Bang Si-hyuk. That one introduction changed everything.

Is the First BTS Member Also the Oldest BTS Member?

This is a common mix-up, so let’s clear it up fast.

• First member to join BTS (2010): RM
• Oldest member by birth: Jin (born December 4, 1992)

RM is actually the fourth-oldest in the group. Being the first member and being the oldest are two completely different things in the BTS world.

You can read more about the BTS members ranked from oldest to youngest on our site if you want the full breakdown.

The Order All 7 BTS Members Joined — From RM to Jimin

After RM, the group was built piece by piece. Here’s the full picture:

Order Joined	Member	Real Name	Role
1st	RM	Kim Namjoon	Leader, Main Rapper
2nd	Suga	Min Yoongi	Lead Rapper, Producer
3rd	J-Hope	Jung Hoseok	Main Dancer, Rapper
4th	Jin	Kim Seokjin	Vocalist
5th	V	Kim Taehyung	Vocalist
6th	Jungkook	Jeon Jungkook	Main Vocalist, Maknae
7th	Jimin	Park Jimin	Main Dancer, Vocalist

How the BTS Rap Line (RM, Suga, J-Hope) Was Formed First

After RM, Suga, and J-Hope joined to complete the BTS rap line before any vocalist was added.

Suga auditioned after spotting a Big Hit rap competition flyer. He finished second enough to get signed. He jokes to this day that Bang Si-hyuk tricked him into joining as a performer when he only wanted to produce.

J-Hope was cut from JYP Entertainment before joining Big Hit and nearly left there too, until RM personally convinced the company to keep him.

Check the full BTS members profile here!

How the BTS Vocal Line (Jin, V, Jungkook, Jimin) Completed the Group

Jin, V, Jungkook, and Jimin were added through auditions for their more “idol-like” quality, as Bang Si-hyuk shifted BTS from a hip-hop crew to a full K-pop idol group.

Jin was street-casted getting off a bus, with zero singing experience. V followed a friend to a Big Hit audition and quietly changed history. 

Jungkook chose Big Hit specifically because of RM. And Jimin, the very last member to join, was encouraged by his dance teacher in Busan to audition and made it on pure talent.

Why Did Bang Si-hyuk Build BTS Around RM?

Bang Si-hyuk chose to build a group where members would be individuals rather than an ensemble, free to express themselves, which was a departure from the usual highly regimented idol groups of that era.

RM was the natural anchor for that vision. Even at 15, he had something rare: lyrical depth, a philosophical mind, and the emotional intelligence to lead. Before his debut, RM had already gained respect in Seoul’s underground rap scene, which led Bang Si-hyuk to form a group around him.

It’s also worth noting that as the only member from the original 2010 line-up, RM essentially built the group alongside Big Hit’s CEO.

RM as BTS Leader: What Makes the First Member Also the Best Leader?

Being the first member didn’t automatically make RM the leader, but his qualities made him the obvious choice.

Here’s what sets him apart as BTS’s leader and spokesperson:

• Language skills: He taught himself English by watching Friends, and has represented BTS at the United Nations twice
• Songwriting: Co-writes and co-produces much of BTS’s music
• Emotional intelligence: Known for navigating group tensions and being the voice fans hear first at major events
• Solo artistry: His albums Indigo (2022) and Right Place, Wrong Person (2024) were critically acclaimed globally

From One Member to a Global Phenomenon: The BTS Debut Story

Three years after RM signed as the first member, BTS debuted on June 13, 2013, with 2 Cool 4 Skool and the lead single “No More Dream.” In those three years, all seven members lived together, practicing up to 15 hours a day.

What started as one teenager’s demo tape became the biggest boy band on the planet with a global ARMY spanning over 100 countries. That origin still gives me chills.

Conclusion – RM Was the First BTS Member 

The answer is simple: RM (Kim Namjoon) was the first BTS member, joining Big Hit Entertainment in 2010 at just 15 years old.

But the story behind it? Anything but simple.

One demo tape. One introduction. One CEO saw something extraordinary. That’s what started Bangtan Sonyeondan. Every member who followed Suga, J-Hope, Jin, V, Jungkook, and Jimin built on that foundation.

And together, they became OT7. Forever.

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