J-hope has been a star for a long time as a dancer, rapper, and singer-songwriter in the group BTS. She has a magnetic stage personality and amazing dance moves that helped the group become famous all over the world. Now, as ARMY around the world waits for the group’s remaining members to finish South Korea’s mandatory military service and for BTS to reunite in June, putting group activities on hold until 2026, the charismatic 31-year-old is making a name for himself as a solo artist, showing off his versatility and creative range that go beyond his BTS persona.
After releasing his first solo album, Jack in the Box, which reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200, and his EP, Hope on the Street, Vol. 1, which reached No. 5 on the chart in 2024, j-hope has already worked with Miguel, Don Toliver, and Pharrell Williams this year. And j-hope is going to new heights with his Hope on the Stage World Tour, which began on February 28 in Seoul: When he played at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, he was the first South Korean male solo artist to open for a major U.S. stadium act. The rest of his band, Jin, will be on the road this summer. His artistic growth has been reflected in the tour, which will end on June 1 after 15 stops in North America and Asia, including a May 31 show in Osaka, Japan, which will be shown live in movie theaters around the world. He is now getting ready for the next part of his solo journey with his upcoming album. Billboard Korea were able to talk to J-hope in Los Angeles about his songs, touring, and what inspires him.
Shoes, pants, a shirt, and a jacket by Louis Vuitton; a watch by Audemars Piguet.
Youngjin Kim did the styling. Naejoo Park did my hair. Put on makeup by Dareum Kim. Billboard Korea is in charge of creative direction. ArtCoded did the production.
