Well, if you thought the explosive energy of night 1 of j-hope’s HOPE ON THE STAGE at Goyang Stadium couldn’t be beaten, then think again! Never underestimate the power of Jung Hoseok. By now, we know he embraces many facets as a person and artist: there’s Hobi, Jay, Jack, and of course,  j-hope. While the first night of the finale was filled with emotions and sentiment, ending with FESTA, and celebration of BTS’s 12-year journey. 

Day 2 delivered something different, a full-circle moment revealing j-hope in a new light. An artist who has fully embraced his musical identity, he’s grown into a more confident, self-assured man in his 30s, ready to explore a new image, comfortable in his skin, and unapologetically sexy.

Having started his journey with his dance crew Neuron back home in Gwangju, to now performing on a stage of this scale for 41,000 fans during the second leg of a 31-show, 15-city world tour, one can’t help but wonder how he must feel. While the setlist remained relatively consistent throughout the tour, these last two nights stood out as something different. While he always closes with Neuron, a chorus filled with pride and hope, which ties the narrative and sections of his stage show, because no detail is left out when it comes to j-hope. 

ARMYs from all around the world flew in to witness this one person at a time when we celebrate FESTA and 12 years with BTS. Emotions were running high for both fans and j-hope. The previous night delivered its own iconic moments, including a surprise appearance by the recently discharged Jungkook, who joined j-hope for I Wonder and performed his solo hit Seven. Later, he reunited with Jin as the three of them sang Jamais Vu together.

One thing is guaranteed with j-hope; he’s an artist you can’t ignore.

Even for those unfamiliar with BTS or their legacy, each member brings a dynamic colour to the group, and together, their synergy is one of a kind. j-hope, in particular, is a true craftsman of his art.

In the world of hope, everything arrives with a bang, and his final show was no exception. For these last performances, the setlist and staging were adjusted to centre his artistry, coming alive through striking visual storytelling. Letters from his name appeared throughout the show, and the opening sequence served as a powerful reflection on identity, of discovering who j-hope is, both as a person and an artist. This was expressed through a perfectly orchestrated stack of boxes as he performed Pandora’s Box.

Each box lifted away to reveal the artist at the centre: j-hope, standing tall with a lighter in hand, quite literally lit up the stage as he ignited Arson. The moment burned with intensity, especially as he delivered chilling lyrics like “Want stadium with ma fans.” Knowing that the dream had become reality made the performance all the more powerful, explosive, even.

In the background, the shadow of his alter ego, Jack, lingered – a haunting presence expressing his inner conflict and yearning. Dancers moved around him, enveloping the tension as he sang. As always, j-hope wove a story with finesse, making it all seem effortless, like second nature.

The stages were designed to match the mood of each song. For example, Jack In The Box section was dark and mysterious, symbolising the chaotic ambition j-hope still holds back. The VCRs continued this theme, showing representative boxes leading up to the date April 23rd, his enlistment day, locked away. When the lid was finally lifted, we were taken on a journey through time, leading to the artist he is today.

The HOPE ON THE STREET section, featuring tracks like I Wonder and I Don’t Know, spotlighted j-hope’s roots in dance and hip-hop. Backed by his crew and vibrant, moving light boxes, it became a celebration of where it all began. Bringing his dancers onstage for old-school dance battles added a joyful energy. As always, j-hope made sure everyone shared the spotlight. A humble superstar, he thrives on lifting up fellow dreamers and giving space to their art.

Even if you’re not a fan, it’s hard not to be impressed by what played out on stage. j-hope was not only performing, he was also bringing his vision to life in full colour. After watching the first Seoul show online back in February, seeing it live felt surreal. After months of following his journey, it was almost hard to believe a show this incredible was real.

j-hope is the ultimate artist – a visionary and storyteller who plans everything to perfection. His work, whether dancing, writing, rapping, or styling, shows careful, complex planning. Calling him a muse is no exaggeration. Visiting his WHAT IF exhibition before the concert only confirmed this. It’s rare to see a musician so in tune with his art, and perfection is no understatement. The shift from his solo stage to iconic BTS tracks like Silver Spoon (hello, legendary hip thrust into a split) showed not just fast choreography but also his smooth, graceful movements.

With those new stages came new outfits, and one in particular revealed a more mature, sexy side to the rapper. During his new track Killin’ It Girl, he came out dressed in the same look as those concept photos. Turns out, we in the crowd were to be the girls he was thinking of killing, as there may have been no roof to blow off, but had there been, the stadium would have been in deep danger. He knows his power, and now, choosing to dabble in that side is exciting to see. The new choreography was equally striking, featuring sleep group movements and stunning girls dancing around him, all of whom are every ounce as cool as him.

While Mona Lisa celebrated and uplifted femininity – the power of not needing validation and self-assurance – the staging took that further, with ARMYs in the crowd portrayed as his own modern-day Mona Lisa. But Killin’ It Girl enhanced that energy to a whole new level, not just in terms of our empowerment but even his. Now in his 30s, he’s confidently showing a mature, sexier side of himself, one that he is more than happy to share and one that the fans are more than happy to support and cheer for. 

This was striking as he wore the same outfit throughout the show, confident, editorial, and statuesque. Jack in the Box revealed a darker, introspective start to this chapter, but now he’s closing it by embracing maturity and breaking free from idol expectations. It felt like a new step, offering a preview of BTS’s future: confident, calm as well as freer.

Like the previous night, another surprise awaited as rapper Crush joined him for Sweet Dreams, singing Miguel’s parts beautifully. His vocals were perfect for a track like this, balancing alongside j-hope. They then moved into Rush Hour, which was Crush’s first single since his military discharge, and seeing them both on stage together for the last night felt like a wondrous full-circle moment for both. 

Each section carried a theme, and it was the hope part that was a burst of colours splayed across the stage. Staying in the same outfit, he transitioned into that hope section, flopping playfully backwards into a giant bed for Daydream before “jumping” into the delightfully vibrant feel-good vibes of Hopeworld. 

The final “ARMY time” encore was a heartwarming moment. Fans showed their love with handmade signs on the big screens, praising j-hope’s hard work on the tour. The mix of admiration, fandom jokes, and heartwarming words brought the setlist to life. At every stop, fans proudly reminded everyone that BTS is 7, a powerful sign of unity and strength between the artists and ARMY. j-hope often expressed his gratitude and congratulated both BTS and the fans

The tour kicked off in February but had a little pre-show warm-up by performing at Le Gala Des Pièces Jaunes, Paris; the first performance since his discharge. Even then, the love for the stage was undeniable, especially after an 18-month absence. From the moment j-hope returned, it was clear that he had only grown stronger, bolder, and, dare I say, unstoppable. Choosing to bring Mic Drop to that one show, it grew into an otherworldly monster. It became a staple for every show, the power in the lyrics being loud and clear, especially the line ‘Mianhae Eomma’, the line rapped by SUGA. When that beat drops, he now fully expects the crowd to shout the lyrics more powerfully than the last, pausing to hear them sing. 

As the night drew to a close, emotions ran high. During his endments j-hope was visibly moved, as the tears fell as he reflected on his tour. He explained the joy of hearing the voices of ARMYs all around the world. Then going on to share, “I am so proud of you guys, and I am so happy to be an artist for this fandom.” 

During the tour, J-Hope didn’t just interact with the crowds; he celebrated them, sharing moments on Instagram with pride and infectious positivity. He not only performs for ARMY, but he performs with them. And j-hope is just as much a fan of ARMY as they are of him, especially proud to uplift and celebrate such a powerful community of women.

Mona Lisa and Killin’ It Girl reflect that sentiment, with lines like “I like my girls” and “no need for validation” serving as a direct, empowering message, especially to women, to rise above the tired misogyny often aimed at BTS fans.

For the final encore, j-hope appeared in all white, closing the night with Neuron and a tender switch to Safety Zone. The staging was simple yet powerful – soft white tones and quiet contentment – not a grand finale, but the perfect ending. 

As he’s said, he’ll keep doing this as long as he can, and as long as we let him. Being part of a fandom that understands the message: to dream, to hope, and to grow, is its own kind of gift. Without a doubt, we have seen new, more mature sides of him, ones he’s longed to share, and we’re ready to receive. The future is bright. Welcome to a new Hope World…

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Written by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the 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.}