Jaemin
A magnetic performer who became the heart of NCT Dream, shaping the sound and style of a generation-defining K-pop act.
Born 2000 (age 26)·South Korean rapper·Birthday: August 13·Generation Z
Biography
Born Na Jae-min in 2000, Jaemin entered the rigorous SM Entertainment training system as a teenager, honing his skills for three years before his debut. He emerged in 2016 as a central member of NCT Dream, a subunit of the expansive NCT project designed to capture youth. His journey wasn't linear; a hiatus due to health concerns early on made his return and subsequent rise even more significant. More than just a rapper, Jaemin's stage presence is a blend of sharp precision and effortless charm, making him a standout performer and a key visual anchor. He helped steer NCT Dream from a teenage concept to one of South Korea's most successful boy bands, with record-breaking sales and a fiercely loyal fanbase that grew up alongside him. His influence extends to fashion and media, where he's recognized for his distinct, trend-setting aesthetic.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Jaemin was born in 2000, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jaemin Was Born
The biggest hits of 2000
#1 Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Best Picture
Gladiator
#1 TV Show
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Jaemin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2000Born
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Started school
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2013Became a teenager
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Could drive
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2018Could vote
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2021Turned 21
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 26 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as a core member of NCT Dream, a group that has sold millions of albums worldwide.
- Served as the center and main visual for NCT Dream, defining the group's performance identity.
- Helped NCT Dream achieve multiple number-one albums on South Korea's Gaon Chart.
- Starred in multiple reality and variety shows, expanding his presence beyond music.
Did You Know?
He was scouted by SM Entertainment while middle school shopping with his mother.
He took a hiatus from NCT Dream activities in 2017 due to a back injury.
He is known for his love of photography and often shares his own pictures.
He attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA), a famous alma mater for K-pop idols.
“I want our music to be a space where you can feel comfortable and understood.”
