Jimin’s extraordinary journey to BTS began with a childhood dream inspired by the One Piece character Zoro, leading him to train in Haidong Gumdo for eight years and earn black belts in Taekwondo and Hapkido. His fascination with dance in middle school spurred him to master various styles, including hip-hop, popping, breakdance, martial arts, acrobatics, modern dance, ballet, and Korean traditional dance. His modern dance academy director noted, "Unlike others, Jimin would innovate and seek feedback, showing exceptional potential and mindset." In high school, Jimin’s dedication led him to audition for Big Hit Entertainment, where he was the only one selected from a massive pool of candidates in Busan. His former homeroom teacher, Lee Hwa-sung, recalled Jimin's determination, "Though I tried to dissuade him from becoming an idol, his resolve was unwavering." Jimin’s leadership was evident when he organized a musical-like performance for his teacher's wedding. Moving to Seoul on May 15, 2012, he became the last member to join BTS, debuting after just six months of training.