BTS’ j-hope kicked off the North American leg of his tour, “HOPE ON THE STAGE” with two sold-out shows in Brooklyn on March 13-14.
Thousands of fans clamored to the Barclay’s Center wearing their favorite BTS merch, many of whom have been waiting over five years just to see j-hope grace the stage in New York once more. As the first solo tour since his debut 12 years ago, the K-Pop all-star meticulously planned its artistic direction, creating a dynamic performance that pays homage to his music, Hip Hop, and his decade-long work with BTS.
Jennifer Castro hugged her merch from the BTS ‘Map of the Soul’ tour, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as she sat outside of the Barclay’s Center with her friends observing the massive crowd. It has been a long time coming since she was able to see j-hope, a man she describes as favorite artist due to his joyful and playful demeanor.
“This merch I got since the [Map of the Soul] tour which got canceled because of COVID, so I’m really excited to wear for the first time,” Castro said.
“We’ve been waiting,” her friend, Tiana Lee, chimed in, “He feels like home. It feels like wow, there are idols who can be comfortable [being themselves], and it makes you feel good, and I love that about him.”
Affectionately known as ARMY, supporters wearing their most intricate j-hope and BTS-themed outfits exchanged photocards, bracelets, and fan-made memorabilia of the beloved K-Pop star as they waited to be let inside Barclay’s Center. Some even filmed themselves dancing to their favorite j-hope songs, like the newly released single “Sweet Dreams” with Miguel.
Days before the concert, the Big Apple got a taste of j-hope “Sweet Dreams” song with numerous pop-ups. Fans were already eagerly running around New York City rushing between themed cupcakes and banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery in Midtown and personally curated flowers by j-hope himself at Genesis House in the Meatpacking District.
Fans say this personal touch bestowed upon the city enriched their concert experience so much more. For 19-year-old Genesis Amadit, this thoughtfulness is what makes j-hope such a beloved artist.
“J-hope basically saved my life because I was so sad at one point and he was there for me [with his music],” Amadit said, adding that it’s important for her to show support for all of his endeavors.
The love for j-hope emanated from the crowd inside the arena, where thousands of light sticks glowed brightly, matching the stage’s color themes. The animated energy from fans exploded from the traditional BTS chant made during the rendition of “Mic Drop” to the adoring cheers for his unreleased single, “Mona Lisa” (which will be out on March 21). To be among the first to hear the love song live, fans say, was a moment they would never forget. The song, which pays tribute to celebrating unique beauty, was said to be a love letter to BTS’ ARMY.
J-hope’s performance not only nodded to his first mixtape, Hope World, and his songs with global icons BTS but also paid homage to New York City’s history of Hip-Hop street dance styles like breakdancing, popping, locking, and more.
Staunch ARMY members like Julia Hawkins were left in tears upon the concert’s culmination. She said the experience was emotional after waiting so long to see j-hope on stage and finally receive the love and support she believes he deserves.
“I am just so happy to see j-hope perform at this large capacity and having a sold out show for day one and day two of New York! It just makes me feel so warm and so excited that he is finally getting the recognition and happiness he deserves. J-hope I am really proud of you, I am really happy for you. I just can’t wait to see what you do in the future. Keep going. I love you,” Hawkins said, tearfully.
“HOPE ON THE STAGE” will continue to span across 15 cities worldwide with 31 shows in total, including United States stops in Chicago, Mexico City, San Antonio, Oakland, and Los Angeles.
For those who were still riding the rollercoaster of energy from the concert, fans were able to stop by Monarch Rooftop bar in Herald Square for the APANMANIA “ARMY ON STAGE” with DJ Madi.
“Through ANPANMANIA Media, we organized a BTS Club Night in New York City with the theme ‘ARMY ON THE STAGE’ for BTS ARMY to celebrate j-hope’s solo tour and build anticipation for all seven BTS members to reunite this 2025,” DJ Madi said.
