J-hope is no stranger to making history. It’s something he’s done multiple times as part of BTS—breaking YouTube records more than once, being the first Korean artist to top the Billboard Hot 100, and too many other accolades to list here. But tonight (July 31), the rapper, dancer and producer steps into the spotlight firmly on his own to become the first South Korean artist to headline a major US festival.
Headlining the Bud Light Seltzer Stage on the final day of Lollapalooza 2022, J-hope’s monumental set felt like both a triumphant return and an introduction. His headlining performance is the first live solo endeavor by a BTS member since they began the group’s “second chapter” in June; one that will put more focus on individual projects. If Chapter Two is a chance for the seven members to prove themselves as individual artists as well as part of the biggest group in the world, J-hope is more than up to the challenge tonight.
That he begins this next step by bursting out of a set made to look like a Jack in the Box feels symbolic—like he’s leaping into new, uncharted territory, but doing so explosively and confidently, rather than timidly tiptoeing toward – the wide world. Pyrotechnics fly off the stage as he stands up and surveys the massive crowd gathered in front of him for a moment before launching into recent rock-rap single “MORE” and setting out to prove he belongs on such a huge platform regardless of what he has achieved with his core group so far.
Just as his debut solo album ‘Jack In The Box’ tells the story of its creator, so does his set tonight. The first half deals mainly with newer material and its darker, edgier stylings, but also includes older songs that fit a narrative of ambition, greed and fame. “HANGSANG” and its fame-focused lyrics air before “POP (Peace Of Piece)” shows the star’s desire to become an artist who can deliver exactly what the title suggests.
J-hope CREDIT: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic
As J-hope delves into the performance, the story also continues. The bright, slightly funky “= (equal sign)” shares a message of love that sounds even more beautiful with the crowd singing along. After an incendiary “Arson” — which begins with a single flame burning on a jack in the box on stage — the rapper returns to the inside of the giant toy box, only to burst back out minutes later in a new, white outfit.
What follows are sunnier tracks from his catalog, starting with a tropical remix of BTS’s “Dynamite,” before moving on to “Daydream,” in which he accepts that his dreams won’t last forever. Each is enhanced by the addition of a live band that makes the early part of the performance louder and heavier and adds more vibrancy to the latter part.
Throughout, J-hope never forgets where he came from and often returns to his roots. During “Base Line,” the screens lining the stage showed images of landmarks and streets in Korea, including the Sajik Park Observatory in his hometown of Gwangju. When performing BTS’ ‘Cypher Pt. 1’ show clips of him with his six bandmates. His music’s roots aren’t forgotten, either—when he blasts “Chicken Noodle Soup” with special guest Becky G toward the end of the set, he makes sure to call out DJ Webster and Young B, the writers of the track’s original sampled song.
Whether the rapper is in dark or light territory tonight, however, he puts his all into every song. “I put my heart and soul into my music,” he tells the crowd at the start, but it’s something that feels like stating the obvious when you watch him perform. When J-hope launches into a slow-burning performance of “Safety Zone,” he seems completely lost in the music, his every move intertwined with the music and the emotion and energy contained within it. His set also showcased his versatility brilliantly, from rock star rapper, gutturally screaming lines on “What If…” and “MORE”, slick dancer on “Dynamite” and dazzling performer with infectious spirit on “Outro: Ego” and “Hope” World ‘.
During the little over an hour that J-hope lit up the stage, he spoke briefly to the audience, welcoming ARMYs and non-fans alike and sharing his thoughts throughout (“What the hell… I feel like he’s gonna die he declares after the energetic “Hope World”). Before saying goodbye, he took a moment to speak in Korean, discussing his thoughts on his album and the honor of headlining Lollapalooza.
J-hope CREDIT: Michael Hickey/Getty Images
“To myself who made it through this moment,” he begins at one point, referring to the insecurities he’s felt along the way, “I’m a little shy, but I want to say I’m really proud of you.” When the uplifting opening notes of the latest track “Future” kick in and the rapper raves one last time, it’s a sentiment you can’t disagree with. At Lollapalooza, J-hope makes history again, but more than that, he proves exactly what he’s capable of with or without someone by his side—true greatness.
J-hope played:
‘MORE”Pandora’s Box”The Baseline”Cypher Pt. 1”HANGSANG”POP (Piece Of Peace)”= (equal sign)”STOP”’Blue Side”Safety Zone”What If…”Arson”Dynamite (Tropical Remix)”Daydream’ ‘ Outro: Ego”Hope World”Trivia: Just Dance”Chicken Noodle Soup”Future”
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