Joshua Hong

Joshua Hong, known mononymously as Joshua, is an American singer and a lead vocalist and visual of the K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN, managed by Pledis Entertainment. Joshua is renowned for his acoustic guitar skills and his gentle, soft-spoken demeanor, which he frequently displays during fan interactions and on his Instagram handle @joshu_acoustic. With millions of album sales and sold-out world tours, SEVENTEEN has become one of the most successful K-pop acts globally. Joshua's career is intrinsically linked to the collective achievements of the group, and fans appreciate his distinct personality and contribution to the band's self-produced sound and synchronized performances. As of 2026, he maintains a private personal life with no confirmed romantic relationships or individual awards.[edit]

Joshua Hong, born on December 30, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, United States, was raised as an only child in a Korean-American household by his Korean parents. Throughout his upbringing in his hometown of Los Angeles, his parents served as significant role models. He attended Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles, where his passion for music began to flourish. During these formative years, he developed a strong interest in music, actively playing the guitar and singing regularly in church, eventually becoming known for his acoustic guitar skills.

The trajectory of his life shifted significantly in 2013 when, as a teenager, his musical talents were recognized. He was scouted by Pledis Entertainment, a pivotal moment that prompted his move from Los Angeles to South Korea. This relocation marked the beginning of his journey to pursue a career in music, specifically to become a K-pop idol trainee under the agency.

His intensive training period commenced shortly after his arrival in South Korea. Before making his official debut, Joshua participated in the pre-debut reality show 'Seventeen TV,' which aired from 2013 to 2014. The program provided an intimate look into the rigorous preparation and development of the trainees, documenting their journey. After approximately two years of dedicated training, he officially debuted as a member of the boy group SEVENTEEN. [edit]

Joshua debuted as a member of SEVENTEEN on May 26, 2015, with the mini-album '17 Carat' and the title track 'Adore U.' The group quickly gained attention for their self-produced music and intricate choreography. As a lead vocalist and visual, Joshua contributed to the group's vocal harmonies and stage presence. SEVENTEEN's subsequent releases, including 'Boys Be' (2015) and 'Love & Letter' (2016), solidified their popularity in Korea. By the late 2010s, the group achieved international recognition with albums like 'Teen, Age' (2017) and 'You Make My Day' (2018). Joshua also ventured into modeling, appearing in campaigns for MAPS magazine and Bobbi Brown. As of 2026, he continues to be an active member of SEVENTEEN, participating in world tours, comebacks, and variety content. [edit]

Joshua Hong is consistently portrayed in media as elegant, soft-spoken, and gentlemanly, earning him the nickname of SEVENTEEN's 'prince' or 'gentle visual.' His content tone is warm, calming, and sincere, frequently featuring acoustic guitar sessions and thoughtful fan letters. He is known for his refined stage presence and signature acoustic guitar skills, which he showcases on his Instagram handle @joshu_acoustic. Fans and media perceive him as a mediator-like figure within the group, admired for his calm demeanor and polished visuals. The official SEVENTEEN fandom name is CARAT, and fan-culture rituals include trending hashtags during his birthday (December 30) and guitar cover releases, as well as using deer emojis in supportive comments. His social media voice is polite, occasionally humorous, and highly interactive with fans, often sharing personal updates and acoustic covers.[edit]

Joshua Hong stands as the definitive "Gentleman" of K-pop, a title earned through years of impeccable conduct and linguistic grace that has turned him into a cultural bridge for SEVENTEEN's global fanbase, CARAT. While he shares the group's unified fandom rather than an individual name, his personal mythos is built on specific rituals like the annual charity drives organized in his honor and the viral "Joshua Challenge" where fans replicate his elegant poses. These efforts have propelled him to international visibility, marked by high-profile appearances at the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards and Super Bowl LX in early 2026, alongside a prestigious ambassadorship with Jaeger-LeCoultre that cemented his status in the luxury fashion world. Despite this widespread acclaim and his recent UNESCO speech advocating for youth, Joshua Hong currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his profile but determined he does not yet occupy a ranked position within their published hierarchy. This absence of a numeric rank reflects the unique nature of his fame, which thrives in dedicated niche communities and high-fashion circles rather than broad, mass-market numerical dominance. His influence remains profound among millions of followers who view him as a mediator-like figure, even if the algorithmic scales have not yet assigned him a specific ordinal number.[edit]

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Joshua Hong is fully ethnically Korean and an only child who credits his private parents as his primary role models. He carries a deer emoji as his representative symbol and has been reported holding both ENFJ (2019) and ESTJ (2022) MBTI types. Fans affectionately call him the "Gentleman of Seventeen," a legend born from his consistent fluency in English and his habit of translating for the group during international press conferences. A story often retold involves his seamless code-switching between languages at a major press event, a moment that solidified his reputation for natural charisma. In June 2026, he delivered a speech at a UNESCO event urging youth to keep dreaming, marking a transition from idol to cultural ambassador. Later that month, he was announced as a "Friend of the House" for the luxury watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre, joining an elite circle of global celebrities. His presence at the Super Bowl LX in February 2026 further highlighted his expanding footprint in the American market, distinct from typical K-pop celebrity appearances.[edit]

Joshua is an only child. His parents are Korean and have been described by him as his role models. He has kept details about his family life private, with no public information about his parents' names or professions. [edit]

Joshua is most closely associated with his fellow SEVENTEEN members, particularly the Vocal Team, as well as Pledis Entertainment and HYBE. He has also worked with brands like MAPS magazine and Bobbi Brown for modeling projects. [edit]

Joshua Hong has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. As a K-pop idol, he maintains a private personal life, and no credible reports of dating exist. As of 2026, he is publicly single. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Joshua Hong's net worth is estimated at $10 Million as of 2026. This figure remains speculative since Pledis Entertainment does not disclose individual earnings for its artists. His primary income streams originate from SEVENTEEN's massive group activities, including album sales, digital streaming numbers, sold-out concert tours, and merchandise revenue. Beyond music, he generates significant wealth through individual modeling contracts and endorsement deals, notably his long-standing work with Bobbi Brown. The group's unprecedented global success has likely amplified his earning potential considerably since his debut, though no official financial records are available to verify exact figures.[edit]