j-hope Makes History at His Los Angeles Concert
On Saturday, April 4, BTS’s j-hope launched his highly-anticipated concert series in Los Angeles, marking the beginning of his HOPE ON THE STAGE world tour. This remarkable milestone made j-hope the first Korean solo artist to headline a sold-out stadium concert in the United States, drawing considerable interest from both dedicated fans and the general public.
As the first show drew to a close, j-hope took a moment to reflect on his experiences during this monumental concert. He conveyed his feelings of gratitude for being able to perform solo in such a grand venue, highlighting how this experience diverged from his previous performances with BTS.
During his heartfelt concluding speech, j-hope candidly expressed the nerves that accompanied him as he commenced this pivotal performance.
“This is my first stadium concert for my solo. I feel like as BTS we were able to enjoy some time with you guys here at the stadium. It is a little bit strange but also at the same time I feel a little bit proud that I’m here by myself to perform at such a big stadium like this with you guys. I was really nervous when I came onstage today,”he said.
He elaborated on his feelings:
“I feel like I was a little bit intimidated just thinking about meeting you guys at such a big stadium like this and just being by myself here. But because you guys are with me tonight, I just don’t feel that nervousness anymore. In conclusion, I’m basically saying that you guys are the ones that really make up this stage. And through you guys, everything just becomes one together.”
j-hope concluded his speech by expressing his deep appreciation for his fans’ unwavering support, which has enabled him to achieve this significant milestone in his career.
A Glimpse into j-hope’s Solo Journey
In the wake of BTS members’ military service, j-hope has been steadily reestablishing his presence in the music scene. His initial steps included high-profile appearances, such as throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the second game of the 2024 Korean Series, featuring the KIA Champions and the Samsung Lions in October 2024.
In November 2024, he graced the red carpet at the Audemars Piguet x KAWS brand event. By January 2025, he showcased his musical talents at the Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes charity event in Paris. His solo music endeavors resumed in February 2025 with the release of LV BAG, a collaboration with Don Toliver, produced by Pharrell Williams.
This track made its debut during the Louis Vuitton men’s fall 2025 show in Paris. Shortly thereafter, he released another collaborative piece, Sweet Dreams, featuring Miguel on March 7. His latest single, MONA LISA, was launched on March 21, 2025, while he simultaneously embarked on his first solo world tour, HOPE ON THE STAGE.
The tour commenced on February 28, starting with a three-day concert at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Following this vibrant kickoff, j-hope has taken his performances across North America with stops in Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, San Antonio, and Oakland. In the upcoming weeks, fans can look forward to more shows in cities such as Manila, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Osaka, and beyond.