After nearly eight years since the now globally-renowned group BTS held their WINGS tour in Manila, Filipino ARMYs reunite with BTS member j-hope for an unforgettable and historic weekend at the long-awaited HOPE ON THE STAGE in Manila.
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j-hope, also known as Jung Hoseok or in ARMY’s hearts as Hobi, dominated the MOA Arena stage for two sold-out nights last weekend surrounded by tens of thousands of Filipino ARMYs and thousands more waiting outside the arena, a perfect way to kick off the Asia leg of his tour, showcasing his undeniable talent and world-class artistry.
HOPE ON THE STAGE was nothing short of phenomenal. It was a two hour and thirty minute journey through unforgettable performances, top-notch production, and a clear message – all kept within a ‘box’ of hope. The show was everything and we fear we won’t be able to recover from it. So, join us as we attempt to articulate the show that kept us speechless, shook, and shaken in all the right ways.
HE’S J-HOOOOPE
To call him an ace simply does not do him justice in describing his talent and what he brings forth as an artist. He is truly a jack of all trades on the stage and an elite performer. As if being the main dancer and lead rapper of BTS is not enough, we’re absolutely gagged to see him excel at being a lyricist, composer, producer, choreographer, vocalist, and even MORE.
HOPE ON THE STAGE encapsulates all that perfectly – his versatility and individuality as an artist, seeing firsthand what he brings to the table as j-hope, whether as a solo artist or as a member of BTS. Another factor we marveled at during the show was how we saw j-hope’s true appreciation and understanding for the artform. If it isn’t already clear, the global idol is a student of his craft who incorporates his own style to his inspirations while understanding the greatness and meaning behind his references.
Case in point: there was an entire part of the concert where he paid homage to his dance background, fully giving the spotlight to his dancers to celebrate and truly appreciate hip-hop dance culture and its impact on his life. People want to throw around the term “reheating nachos” these days, but j-hope skipped the microwave and instead pulled out the Dutch oven as he cooked a tasteful meal. The concert had this appreciative essence of hip-hop dance culture weaved throughout its run in a way that wasn’t meant to pander but highlight and celebrate the aspects that made j-hope, well- j-hope.
A SHOW COOKED TO PERFECTION
Having indulged in BTS content, from their performances to their documentaries and variety shows, many ARMYs would agree in saying that j-hope is quite the perfectionist when it comes to their performances. As the main dancer, he’s basically their performance (dance) leader, making sure that the group maintains the quality of performance they’re praised for. It’s become an inside joke for ARMYs and for BTS themselves to not mess around with j-hope when he’s on stage, as he gets scary when he’s serious – as opposed to his widely-known ‘sunshine’ personality.
That side of j-hope reflected through how the entire show was stitched together, everything was meticulously planned and carried out to present the many sides of j-hope the performer. The main stage alone had 17 lifts that shaped the impressive stage design to fit the vibe for the song, accompanied by a variety of pyrotechnics, smoke, and lights to further the impact of his performances. A standout performance was ARSON in which you quite literally felt the heat from the fire being continuously shot out of the sides of the stage in line with the flow of the chorus, hearing him rap “Let’s burn” – exactly bestie!
Every aspect, from the performances, the production, and all the way up to the set-list and dancers was a masterclass in balance that knew what to give in any given moment. You just knew that Hobi was the mastermind behind all of it.
CHEF’S KISS SETLIST
Whether you’re an ARMY or discovering him for the first time, everyone was in for quite the treat with the setlist.
Each set presented a different theme that aligned with selected songs from his discography separated per genre. J-hope transitioned sets seamlessly without breaking a sweat – from very hardcore, rap-heavy songs like What if… and Pandora’s Box to his hip-hop and R&B tracks like lock / unlock and i wonder… and eventually taking ARMYs on a rollercoaster with his BTS medley, featuring unforgettable performances of MIC DROP, 뱁새 (Silver Spoon) and 병 (Dis-ease).
Our personal favorite performance was definitely ARSON and his solo tracks with BTS, namely Just Dance and OUTRO: Ego since the energy shared within the arena was unmatched.
FOMO? WE DON’T KNOW HER
FOMO was nowhere to be seen during HOPE ON THE STAGE, as j-hope did not miss with his crowd checks, which he did consistently during his ments, for every floor of the arena to make sure that all ARMYs and everyone present at the show felt included and seen. This played into his production too, especially with the moving stages, as he had one platform that went up particularly high (like in HANGSANG), increasing his visibility and presence around the arena.
Hobi is in his fan-service era, and we’re all here for it! Some lucky Filipino ARMYs were able to get up close and personal with him – getting to high-five him and even hold his hand while he sang to them. ARMYs were definitely a key part of the show, and j-hope didn’t miss out on the opportunity to spotlight them too.
The Filipino ARMY crowd also did not disappoint, receiving praise and validation from ARMYs around the world. From the iconic MIC DROP fanchant to sharing the microphone with Filipino ARMYs, j-hope returned the same energy sharing his knowledge of some Tagalog phrases like “Walang uuwi”, “Astig ang ARMY”, and the favorite “Mahal ko kayo!” Also, can we talk about his affinity for Filipino food like halo-halo and his delectable post-concert meal from Manam? Taste!
See, being a legend is more than just telling your story, it’s about realizing that you’re making it alongside your fans. It was an aspect that j-hope showcased over the weekend. He could have easily performed for two hours, said goodbye, and left, and we would have still gotten our life, but j-hope made an effort to match the energy he was getting from fans.
He goes above and beyond to maximize his stage presence and performance quality to make sure the experience is worth it for every single person attending. From the barricades to the highest levels of MOA Arena, everyone got their money’s worth. For someone who has continuously proven himself to be an elite, he never fails to surprise us every time.
THE BEST MOMENT IS YET TO COME – A PROMISED RETURN
2025 so far has been a fruitful year for ARMYs. Aside from j-hope’s world tour, fans are also just a few months away from finally being reunited with their OT7 with the last remaining members wrapping up their military service. Honestly, j-hope’s concert left us wanting more, and it’s a feeling we bet many Filipino fans have as well. Luckily enough, j-hope assured ARMYs that they’ll be back, and when the day (hopefully not too far in the future) comes, we are more than sure that Filipino ARMYs will make their next show worthwhile.
But as we wait and manifest for more solo concerts and an OT7 concert in the future, for now, we have the memories made over the weekend to remember. J-hope came through and then some, leaving a lasting impression that many Filipino ARMYs will be taking to heart for the rest of the year and beyond. HOPE ON THE STAGE is an ode to his artistry, the career he’s built with BTS, and living proof of the hope to anticipate what’s next to come.
Photos courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
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