J-Hope Kicks Off Solo World Tour with Electrifying Seoul Concert

"When I'm on stage, I feel the happiest and most alive. I'll keep singing and dancing on stage, so please look at me as I am and love me."

BTS's J-Hope has launched his first solo world tour with a powerful performance in Seoul.

On November 2, J-Hope held his solo concert 'j-hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' in SEOUL' at the KSPO DOME in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

The venue was filled with excitement even before J-Hope appeared. The ARMY (BTS's fandom) chanted his name in unison. Dressed in red, J-Hope made a striking entrance under red lights, opening the show with a powerful performance of 'What if...'. He continued the energy with 'Pandora's Box', 'Arson', and 'STOP'.

J-Hope also performed tracks from his special album 'HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1', including 'on the street', 'lock / unlock' (with Benny Blanco, Nile Rodgers), 'i don't know' (with Huh Yunjin of LE SSERAFIM), and 'i wonder...' (with Jung Kook of BTS). His street dance performances were a highlight, showcasing his roots in street dance. "I wanted to genuinely incorporate those roots," he shared, expressing pride in his ability to bring street dance to the stage.

Fans were treated to a preview of his upcoming single 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)', set to release on November 7. J-Hope wanted his fans to be the first to experience the new track, a Pop R&B serenade expressing his desire to love and be loved.

J-Hope reflected on his musical journey, saying, "After my military service, I pondered what kind of music to create. Love is a simple emotion, yet it seems lacking in today's world." He added, "I wondered if I had ever made a proper love song, and that's how this track came about." The audience responded with cheers as he described the song as a "serenade of love" for them.

He revisited past hits, including tracks from his 2018 mixtape 'Hope World' like 'Base Line' and 'Always', as well as his 2015 solo release '1 VERSE'. These songs, with their distinct lyrics and melodies, highlighted his growth as a solo artist.

J-Hope described the era of these releases as "youthful days" but emphasized, "I'm not embarrassed or regretful of my work. It's my first album and a meaningful one." He added, "I can show a lot at the concert."

In addition to his solo tracks, J-Hope performed BTS group songs like 'MIC DROP' and 'Baepsae', handling other members' parts solo and filling the stage with his presence. The fans erupted in cheers.

'HOPE ON THE STAGE' featured impressive stage production, with a live band enhancing the sound. A total of 26 lifts were used for dynamic stage effects, with 25 main stage lifts adjusting in real-time to J-Hope's music and performance. LED graphics changed according to the song's concept, adding visual intrigue.

Confetti was used effectively, with butterfly-shaped confetti falling during 'on the street', creating the illusion of butterflies fluttering around the venue. Other effects, like fire during 'Arson', complemented the performances and heightened the atmosphere.

Before the encore, Jin made a surprise appearance in the audience, shouting "I love you" and blowing kisses, to which the ARMY responded with enthusiasm. J-Hope acknowledged Jin, saying, "I meant to mention our Jin hyung, but I was so focused on the performance that I forgot." The screen showed Jin, and J-Hope added, "It's a different feeling to have a member come to support me."

With this concert, J-Hope embarks on his tour, promising, "I'll return safely and healthy. Do you trust J-Hope? I'll show you." He expressed his determination to continue singing, dancing, and rapping, aiming to be a beacon of hope on stage.

'HOPE ON THE STAGE' marks J-Hope's first solo world tour in his 12-year career. The tour symbolizes 'J-Hope on stage' and the realization of hope, wishes, and dreams on stage.

From October 28 to November 2, J-Hope performed for a total of 37,500 fans over three days. Following the Seoul concert, he will perform 31 shows across 15 cities, including Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, San Antonio, Oakland, Los Angeles, Manila, Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, and Osaka.

By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr