BTS J-HOPE successfully concluded his North American tour with the 'j-hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' in LOS ANGELES' held at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on the 7th (KST).
J-HOPE performed in six cities―Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, San Antonio, Oakland, and Los Angeles―over 12 shows, engaging with approximately 178,000 fans and reaffirming his presence in the music scene.
As the first K-pop solo artist to perform at BMO Stadium, his Los Angeles concert drew significant attention even before it began. The show featured a surprise appearance by Miguel, who joined J-HOPE on stage for their collaboration on the new track 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)'.
J-HOPE greeted his fans warmly and kicked off the show with 'What if...', followed by performances of 'Pandora's Box', 'Arson', 'Trivia 起 : Just Dance', and 'Hope World', showcasing his identity and narrative. He delivered flawless performances with his dancers on tracks like 'MIC DROP + Baepsae + Disease' and 'Chicken Noodle Soup (feat. Becky G)'. He also connected with the audience through songs like 'on the street (solo version)' and 'NEURON (with Gaeko, Yoonmirae)', elevating the concert's energy.
With impeccable live vocals and powerful performances, J-HOPE filled the stadium, and the audience responded with enthusiastic cheers and sing-alongs. His new songs 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)' and 'MONA LISA' received particularly strong reactions. J-HOPE delivered sweetness with 'Sweet Dreams' and showcased a captivating and sexy choreography with 'MONA LISA', leaving the audience in awe of his dynamic performance.
Towards the end of the concert, J-HOPE shared, "Today marks the finale of my North American tour. Initially, I was doubtful and afraid, but through facing challenges, I learned more about myself and the world. That sincerity becomes music, and that music reaches you. I am grateful to the ARMY for being part of this journey. My first solo stadium concert is a significant milestone and history in itself. This stage is created by you, and everything comes together thanks to you. Like the tour's name, I am happiest when I'm on stage."
International media praised J-HOPE's North American tour. Forbes described his concert as "a masterpiece showcasing the pinnacle of creativity and music," noting that despite performing the same setlist in five previous cities, he exuded joy and passion on stage as if he had been waiting for this moment his entire life. His energy remained unwavering despite intense choreography and continuous live performances.
The LA Times commented, "J-HOPE seems to evolve with each city he performs in. In 'HOPE ON THE STAGE', he seamlessly transitions between rap and singing, displaying a diverse vocal range." They also highlighted his stage presence and musical growth as the first K-pop solo artist to perform at BMO Stadium.
Meanwhile, J-HOPE is set to kick off his 'j-hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' in ASIA TOUR' starting in Manila on the 12th and 13th. He will then meet fans in Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, and Osaka.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)