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Ian Eastwood, an LA-based dancer and choreographer, recently shared his reaction upon learning that BTS’ Jungkook had considered adopting "Ian" as his stage name. The revelation was made in Jungkook's latest Disney+ docuseries, JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL, where the BTS member credited Eastwood’s influence on his dancing journey as the reason behind the choice.
In the series, the K-pop idol candidly shared that his admiration for Ian Eastwood's dance moves during his formative years inspired him to consider "Ian" as a potential stage name. Reacting to this news, Ian Eastwood took to Instagram on December 9, 2024, to express his gratitude and disbelief.
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In his caption, he noted that he was speechless and expressed his eagerness to work together again. One fan commented on the post, highlighting how the mystery behind the BTS member's nickname “Ian” was finally solved through the revelation in the documentary.
In response, Ian stated that he initially thought the connection to the idol's nickname was purely coincidental. He wrote:
"i couldn’t believe it myself! i thought it just happened to be a coincidence."
More about BTS' Jungkook and his connection with the name 'Ian'
The name “Ian” first caught fans' attention in August 2023 when Jungkook inadvertently revealed his private TikTok username, @ian2anean, while posting a video on Weverse. The incident led to a wave of curiosity among ARMYs about the significance of the name.
While Jungkook initially explained that the account was for monitoring purposes, fans speculated about the deeper connection, which is now confirmed in the Disney+ documentary.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time Ian Eastwood has shared his appreciation for working with Jungkook. From their performance with Usher to participating in the Times Square event for Jungkook’s solo debut album, GOLDEN, he had often highlighted the impact of these collaborations on his artistic journey.
In past social media posts, he described the experience as “life-changing” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform alongside a talent he deeply admires. In one of the earlier posts shared in November 2023, he wrote:
"so grateful to experience this. this moment in my life has changed my personal relationship with dance all over again! i will never forget this time. so thankful and very inspired!"
In December 2023, on Instagram, he shared a touching moment before filming 3D when the BTS member recreated his decade-old choreography. Ian described it as deeply fulfilling and a memory he would always cherish.
For those unaware, Eastwood is a celebrated figure in the dance community and has an accomplished career history. He worked with global artists and appeared on platforms like World of Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew. Clips from the documentary further highlight the duo’s creative collaboration on the artist's solo projects' performances.
Meanwhile, the Still With You singer has been fulfilling his military service since December 2023, alongside his bandmates Jimin, RM, and V. The group is expected to reunite and make their return to the spotlight in 2025 once all members have completed their service.
