j-hope is now one of the world’s most talented dancers and a leading global idol, thanks to his exceptional dance background and distinctive artistic vision. Having started out as a renowned street dancer in Gwangju’s underground scene, he possesses highly refined dance sкιℓℓs and has mastered challenging styles such as Popping, Locking, and Hip-hop. A prime example of his talent can be seen in his historic appearance at Lollapalooza 2022, where he became the first кσяєαn artist to headline the festival.

Today, j-hope has firmly established himself as both a successful solo artist and a member of BTS — a group that has become one of the biggest names in the world. Even so, many fans are also familiar with a famous story from his past involving JYP. He has even been included by the media among the names JYP must have deeply regretted мιѕѕιиg out on, alongside artists such as IU and Yuju.

Many people have heard this story before, but not everyone has had the chance to actually see j-hope during those early years. Recently, an old video was υиєχρє¢тє∂ly shared again, quickly drawing major attention across social media!

Specifically, on the 11th, a user uploaded a compilation of several moments featuring j-hope in 2010, when he took part in a JYP competition alongside several friends from his dance crew. The user wrote in the caption: “I always heard that Hoseok was at JYP before going to HYBE and debuting with BTS, but I thought it was just a fake rumor spread by the fandom... until I literally just saw this video right now. I just know JYP is kicking himself and wallowing in regret right now”.

In the old clip, j-hope — who was still Jung Hoseok at the time and around 15 years old — appears at a JYP open dance audition. Standing in front of the camera, he confidently introduces himself: “Hello, I’m contestant No. 28, Jung Hoseok from Gwangju, Jeolla Province. Please look kindly upon me.” After the brief introduction, Jung Hoseok and his friends begin performing a choreography, showcasing the pαѕѕion and natural dancing talent of the teenagers.

The competition took place in February 2010. j-hope’s team later made it to the final round of JYPE’s 6th Open Auditions, alongside several K-pop idols who are now well known, including Ha Sungwoon and Yook Sungjae. Notably, he also won a “Popularity Award” in the Male Dance team category during the audition. However, by April 2010, j-hope had officially signed with Big Hit Entertainment.

This story has also been confirmed by j-hope himself. During an interview on IU’s Palette, he shared that when he was in ninth grade, he “pαѕѕed an open audition” for JYPE. Later that same year, he became an official trainee at Big Hit Entertainment and made his debut three years later with the group the whole world knows today: BTS. j-hope also brought up the same story during an interview with TWICE Sana.

When the video was reshared, fans were particularly surprised because they had never actually gotten to see close-up footage of Jung Hoseok from that period before. Seeing a 15-year-old j-hope standing directly in front of the camera, introducing himself and then performing choreography made the story of his past with JYP feel more real than ever.

Many fans also praised j-hope’s talent from such a young age. After seeing what he displayed in the video, they understood even more clearly why BigHit quickly recognized Jung Hoseok’s potential and went to great lengths to recruit him at the time. From a 15-year-old boy appearing in a JYP dance competition, he eventually grew into one of the most prominent dancers in K-pop and a globally recognized artist. Under the video, fans left plenty of interesting comments and reactions:

- 9 years into boraworld and this is the firdt time i get to know about this??? There will always be a video or a fact about BTS that you didn't know

- He was going to succeed with any company he chose because he's talented and famous even before debut

- He’s always had that smooth, effortless charm—it's wild. The guy was truly born to shine

- Hobi pαѕѕed the JYP audition and had an option to go there, but chose Bigнιт because he trusted his friends. BTS forever 7

- That full head of hair, his bright happy face while talking, that smile, the way he dances. Oh Jung Hoseok, you really are the love of my life. And Thank God he went to bigнιт

- I honestly don't feel like he would have succeeded at JYP at all. Yoongi and Jin had such a huge impact on him and supported him unconditionally

- It's insane how much stage presence he already had compared to the other three guys—the dude was literally born to be an artist

- 10 years of fandom and I had never seen this video. That was just for a contest. Anyway, Ho-seok was destined to succeed at any company he chose. He was born to be a star

- More like, what a dodge for my Hobi not ending up in that agency where his talent wouldn't have shined like it does with the BTS boys. I respect the dedication to the Bang over the eye