It’s a bold statement to say someone is a natural-born star who was simply destined to be a performer, knowing from an early age that dancing and rapping were their true calling. Many can only dream of achieving what j-Hope has created for himself if they do. Starting as a dancer and eventually joining the underground dance crew Neuron in Gwangju, his journey began. Since then… Well, we all know what happened next. Debuting with BTS in 2013, one could say he achieved his goals and far surpassed them. Yet, ever the professional, he remains humble, always acknowledging that his success is the result of hard work, earning him well-deserved accolades not only with BTS but also for his solo achievements.

His first mixtape, 2018’s Hope World – inspired by his idol, the American rapper J. Cole – was a descent into the dark world of his daydreams becoming reality. The bright-sounding EP spawned hits such as Hope World, Daydream, and, later, Chicken Noodle Soup featuring Latin star Becky G in 2019.

In 2022, Chapter Two was announced as the next step for BTS during their annual Festa dinner. It was designed to allow the members to explore their musical paths while ensuring a steady, healthy, and successful future for the group. What followed were several solo albums that perfectly captured the essence of each member. j-Hope officially kickstarted this solo chapter era with his debut album, Jack in the Box. The album surprised fans and introduced his alter ego Jack/Jay, leading to significant successes, such as landing at number nine on Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Best Albums of 2022 and becoming the first Korean soloist to headline Chicago’s Lollapalooza.

Which brings us to this review: After much speculation about an upcoming tour following his military discharge back in October, the time has finally come to see what he had been under wraps. ANOTHER album and a US and Asia tour titled Hope on the Stage! While the lucky fans in Asia and the US get to enjoy those shows, for everyone else, it’s back to traveling once again to see a BTS member.

However, the star made his European solo stage debut at the Le Gala Des Pièces Jaunes in Paris, an annual televised charity gala that raises money to improve the lives of hospitalised children. Paris, the city of fashion and love, warmly welcomed him as he arrived for the Louis Vuitton Men’s 2025 Fall/Winter collection. During the event, Pharrell Williams premiered his newly produced track LV Bag, which j-Hope worked on and also features alongside Don Toliver.

Making his stage debut in Paris made sense – not only because of his love for fashion as Louis Vuitton’s house ambassador but also thanks to his philanthropic side. This event symbolised his return to a place he knows best. True to their dedication to the cause, ARMY, like artist-like fans, did what they do best: promoting the event across social media. They created flyers and QR codes encouraging fans worldwide to donate to the charity. To date, their efforts have raised over €14,327.

j-Hope, of course, wasn’t the only one performing on the stage, as a lineup of other artists, including Katy Perry, John Legend, and Lang Lang, also took to the stage. Joining them were Korean icons G-Dragon and Taeyang, as well as Blackpink’s Rosé.

Bear in mind, the last time j-Hope performed in Paris was back in 2018 during the BTS World Tour: Love Yourself: Speak Yourself. By the time he was due on stage, that gentle ocean of purple finally welcomed him back, with flashing ARMY bombs frantically showing their excitement to greet the person they’d been waiting hours for. For the fandom, they already know how intense he can be on stage. Think of him headlining as the first Korean soloist at Chicago’s Lollapalooza or opening with Mic Drop during Yet to Come in Busan. Add to that the fact that he hadn’t performed for over two years, and well… When Jay comes out to play, everyone is in trouble.

Popping out to fanfare, he shouted to the crowd, “What up, Paris?” From there, the setlist unfolded like a short story. Before leaving for the military, he gifted fans with the track On The Street (featuring J. Cole). It felt only fitting that he began his returning performance with the song he used as a special goodbye – this time, the updated solo version from his latest album, Hope On the Street Vol. 1.

The stage visuals recreated the famous street from the music video, making it feel as though we had been transported back to that moment, only now reunited and ready for the new chapter to begin. Starting this way felt appropriate, allowing him to take in the crowd as he sang. Describing this stage production as “great” would be an understatement. Everyone knows how creative this individual is and how much effort he puts into bringing his detailed ideas to life. Each track was perfectly matched to the staging, yet he kept it at a level where it didn’t need excessive bells and whistles – he was the main attraction.

The crowd was particularly engaged when More was performed. Released in 2022, its darker concept perfectly matched the stage aesthetics, which brought fans back to the edgy vibe of the music video – a track that had many completely bewitched. He effortlessly owned the stage, and if you were to look up the definition of “cool” in the dictionary, this performance – outfit and all – would undoubtedly be listed. The highlight of the night came when the crowd sang along with him, word for word: “I want it, stadium with my fans, I still do / I sweep into my bag all the trophies, Grammys too / Fame and wealth are not everything; I already know it / My work makes me breathe, so I want more.”

As he looked out at countless ARMY bombs lighting up the arena, fans’ strong support and love poured out in waves. That ocean turned into a torrential seabed when the familiar beats of Mic Drop began. Lights across the stadium rafters lit up random panels in sync with the beat. Once again, this served as a beautiful conclusion to a three-track story, delivering a message loud and clear. Performing it upon his return spoke volumes, and paired with a real-time OT7 BTS fan chant, the moment became not only soothing for the soul but also gave chills – it was both mighty. At that moment, it felt as though both fans and the artist were working together to prove a point to outsiders – true teamwork. As the final unified shout of “BTS” echoed through the arena, he launched into the opening notes with perfect precision.

Radiating his main dancer energy and joined by six backup dancers, he dominated the stage with the iconic, fast-paced choreography of Mic Drop. Keep in mind, this is someone who hadn’t performed on stage for over two years, yet it didn’t seem like a thought – it was as if he’d never left. His control over his body while executing choreography like Mic Drop, all while rapping not only his own verses but also those of SUGA and RM, made it look effortless. Ending the performance by literally dropping the mic felt like a bold closing statement.

Oh, and as if all of that wasn’t enough, On The Street and More were performed with a live orchestra seated in the pit. This arrangement brought something we hadn’t seen or heard from him before, adding a new layer to the already stunning performances.

Those in the fandom, they often say it’s impossible to describe the excitement or deep connection that comes with being a fan of the group. But it’s more than just admiration for the members – it’s about being part of a collective that inspires one another, meeting people from all walks of life, ages, and genders. All are brought together by a shared love for artists who are not only once-in-a-lifetime talents but also create music that is in-depth, well-written, and deeply relatable.

This particular night proved that any pre-enlistment fears about the future or concerns about whether fans would still be around were likely put to rest. The crowd understood the assignment – dressed in their best purple outfits and proudly holding handmade signs throughout the week that read, “ARMY is here for j-Hope.” This was another step in their shared history. The sheer volume of noise, synchronised fan chants, and sense of belonging were back. On top of that, knowing it was all for a good cause made this event the perfect first step back into the spotlight. This, in essence, is j-Hope.

Although we got just a sliver of Jung Hoseok in Paris, his Hope On the Stage Tour is unquestionably going to be iconic. The event will be televised on France 2 and YouTube for international fans on Tuesday, the 28th, at 8:50 PM French time.

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Written by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of BIG HIT Music

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}