"Everything is perfect." J-Hope proves he's on a different level... From performance to setlist to production, a "god-tier" first world tour [MD Report] (Summary)

March 2nd, 2025

J-Hope of BTS has successfully wrapped up the finale of his first solo world tour in Seoul, proving his world-class status.

From February 28 to March 2, J-Hope held his first solo world tour "J-Hope Tour : Hope On The Stage in Seoul" at KSPO Dome, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Over the course of three days, he met a total of 37,500 ARMYs. All three shows were completely sold out, showcasing his unrivalled popularity. For fans around the world who couldn't attend in person, the concerts were also streamed live via Weverse.

"Hope On The Stage" marks J-Hope's first solo world tour in 12 years sinr ce his debut. The tour's title signifies "J-Hope on stage" while also representing the realisation of hope, wishes, and dreams on stage.

J-Hope actively participated in planning, structuring, and directing the concert, offering his input throughout the entire process. He also personally selected the setlist, putting great effort into ensuring the highest quality performance. The concert was divided into five sections — Ambition, Dream, Expectation, Fantasy, and Wish — allowing fans to experience the journey he has taken.

One of the highlights that maximized the excitement of the show was its visually stunning production. In addition to the rich sound of a live band, the main stage was designed with 25 lifts, showcasing J-Hope's powerful performances and diverse charms in an unforgettable way.

On this day, J-Hope made a powerful entrance, dressed in a red leather outfit and standing on a lift illuminated by red lights. He kicked off the show in spectacular fashion with "What If..." from his solo album "Jack In The Box." Then, during "Pandora's Box," he moved seamlessly between the rising and falling lifts, engaging with the audience. As he lit a lighter he signalled the beginning of "Arson."

J-Hope's smooth yet powerful movements captivated the 12,500 fans in attendance. ARMYs responded with a loud sing-along, and he continued the performance with "STOP (There Are No Bad People in the world)."

He then addressed in crowd, saying, "I have a feeling today's show will be the best one yet. Normally, I would greet you all first, but your cheers were so overwhelming that I had to take a moment to soak in your energy." He added in amazement, "Wow, today is so incredible!" as he took in the roaring cheers filling the venue.

J-Hope then performed songs from his special album "HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1," including "on the street," "Lock/Unlock," "I Don't Know," and "I Wonder..." He expressed his deep love for the street dance genre, saying, "I live the songs from 'Hope On The Street.' It's not just me being immersed in it — I then started thinking, 'How many artists are able to fully express their performances through street dance?'"

He continued, "The stage holds deep meaning for me. I've been dancing street-style since I was young, and since that's my foundation, I wanted to express it with sincerity."

J-Hope further shared, "That passion led to this album, and that album led to this performance. I feel a strong attachment to it. Being able to share this stage with you and enjoy it together makes me so happy. Seeing you appreciate my benefit performance, "I Wonder..." — could anything make me happier than this?"

Finally, he expressed his gratitude, saying, "if no one listened or enjoyed this, would I even have the energy to keep going? In that sense, I want to say thank you once again."

J-Hope captivated the audience by performing BTS' group song "Trivia 起 Just Dance" before unveiling a special stage for his upcoming new song "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)," which is set to be released on March 7 at 2 PM (KST). The stage design, which made it look as if J-Hope was floating among the clouds, enhanced the dreamy and sentimental charm of "Sweet Dreams."

Speaking about the new song, J-Hope shared, "After completing my military service, I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of music I should make. One thought that kept coming to me was that love is such a simple emotion, yet it feels like the world lacks it these days."

He continued, "I realised I had never really done a proper love song as J-Hope. So, I worked hard in this track, and that's how "Sweet Dreams" was born. It's a time serenade dedicated to all of you."

J-Hope then moved to the sub-stage, where he performs medley of "1 Verse," "Base Line," and "한상 (Hansang)" on a small lift. He then continued with "Airplane" and "Airplane Pt.2," performing on a bridge lift that connected the main and sub-stage. The energy soared as he delivered explosive performances of "Mic Drop," "뱁새 (Baepsae // Silver Spoon)," and "병 (Dis-ease)," igniting excitement in the crowd.

One of the most breathtaking moments was during "Outro : Ego," when J-Hope dramatically dropped the stage via a lift. The selectable continue as he reappeared on an oversized bed, seating the scene for "백일몽 (Daydream)." Finally, he brought the crowd together with "Chicken Noodle Soup," his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, turning the venue into one massive celebration.

At the end of the concert, J-Hope shared his thoughts, saying, "I was really surprised today. It's been such a long time since I performed. When was BTS's last concert? 'Yet To Come'? It's already been three years."

He continued, "Since it's been so long, I honestly didn't expect this level of energy and support from ARMY. I feel so proud. I want to show this moment to the entire world. I want everyone to see how an artist and she/he fandom can have fun together, lead a concert, and share this incredible energy. Every single show has been the best concert. Everything was truly perfect." He then playfully added, "ARMY is the best. I'm not the best."

J-Hope concluded by saying, "Today was the final show in Seoul, and now I'm heading off on tour. I'll make sure to stay healthy and complete the tour safely. Thank you everyone who come to "Hope On The Stage" — I love you all. I'll continue to sing, dance, and bring hope on stage in the future."

To close out the Seoul concert, J-Hope performed "Hope World" before selecting "= (Equal Sign)," "Future," and "Neuron" as encore songs, ending the night on a high note.

After successfully kicking off his first solo world tour in Seoul, J-Hope will continue with 31 performances across 15 cities, including Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, San Antonio, Oakland, and Los Angeles in North America, as well as Manila, Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, and Osaka.

Source: My Daily