A few days have passed since the electric energy of BTS’s J-Hope set Manila ablaze with his two-night sold-out concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. While I wasn’t physically present, like many fellow ARMYs, I watched almost every fancam available—and let me tell you, it felt like being there, screaming along from behind a screen.
The last time BTS performed in the Philippines was way back in May 2017. That’s almost eight years of waiting. And now, finally, a member has placed the Philippines back on the tour map. For Filipino ARMYs, this wasn’t just a concert—it was a long-awaited homecoming.
The Sunshine Returns
Jung Hoseok, aka J-Hope, is one of BTS’s lead dancers, rappers, and choreographers. He’s known for his precision, energy, and pure passion for performance. At 31, he’s the third eldest among the seven: Jin (32), SUGA (32), J-Hope (31), RM (30), Jimin (29), V (29), and Jungkook (27). With the group currently on hiatus due to their mandatory military service, Jin and J-Hope were the first to complete theirs, with the rest expected to return by June 2025—just in time for BTS’s 12th anniversary.
J-Hope has long proven his artistry beyond group activities. In 2018, he released his first mixtape, Hope World, which has since amassed over 658 million streams. He followed it with Jack in the Box in 2022 (902 million+ streams), marking the start of BTS’s “Chapter 2.” He made history as the first South Korean act to headline Lollapalooza, drawing over 100,000 in-person attendees and millions more online.
And just before enlisting in April 2024, he gifted fans with a heartfelt collab—On the Street with J. Cole. Even during his enlistment, he prepared a full album: Hope on the Street Vol. 1, with 371 million+ streams to date. The album, rich in dance and storytelling, features powerful tracks like “Neuron” and “I Wonder” (featuring Jungkook).
A Concert Worth Waiting For
When J-Hope announced his “Hope on the Stage” world tour, the Philippines lit up. He became the second BTS member (after SUGA’s Agust D tour) to go solo globally. He also dropped charting singles like “LV Bag” (feat. Don Toliver & Pharrell), “Sweet Dreams” (feat. Miguel), and “Mona Lisa,” all of which peaked impressively on the Billboard Hot 100.
True to his nickname “Sunshine,” J-Hope didn’t just perform—he radiated. Even from fancams, you could see the thought and heart behind every detail: the lighting, the LED visuals, the backup dancers, the transitions. He performed 26 songs with full choreography—singing, rapping, dancing, and interacting with the crowd. It felt like he gave 200% each night.
Filipino ARMYs: The Loudest Backup Singers in the World
One thing we can all agree on—Filipino fans showed up. And not just physically. We matched his energy bar for bar, word for word. During performances of “Sweet Dreams” and “Mona Lisa,” it was clear from J-Hope’s smile: he felt the love. He heard our hunger. This wasn’t just about a concert—it was about hope, the dream of BTS returning as OT7.
As a fan who couldn’t attend in person, the second-hand joy was still overwhelming. Fancams showed it all: the seamless transitions, the choreography so sharp it could cut air, the crowd roaring in every beat. One fan even said, “There was barely a pause between songs, but his energy never dropped. J-Hope is singing and dancing at the same time—what a pro!”
“Hobi Set the Standard”
J-Hope didn’t just put on a show—he reminded us what excellence looks like. As one media outlet said, “He doesn’t settle for the bare minimum—he is detail-oriented and driven. That’s what makes him elite.” Even fellow BTS members have joked that they’re scared of disappointing him during practice—he’s that intense.
But that intensity is love. You feel it in every bounce, spin, and wink. As the crowd chanted his name, it felt like a mutual exchange of energy. And though here in the Philippines we may have taken over the lyrics, J-Hope happily let us sing back to him. It was our way of saying, “We missed you.”
A Sign of Hope
This concert wasn’t just a performance—it was a promise. A promise that BTS hasn’t forgotten the Philippines. That maybe, just maybe, OT7 will return and light up the stage together again. J-Hope show it best during his ment during the final night: “Babalik ako” with a pinky promise and of course, they’ll be seven again that time.
Until then, we keep the hope alive by streaming his and BTS discography, supporting each solo release, and waiting for that magical moment when the seven stars align once more.
Congratulations, Hobi. You gave us more than a show. You gave us hope. Your best of Hope World.
