j-hope Soars with First Solo Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE'

When I said I’d give my kidney to see j-hope perform live again I meant it, lucky for me all I had to do was travel across the country this time. Currently on his ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE World Tour,' j-hope visited Chicago on March 17th and 18th while in North America. With six North American stops, the idol began with three performances in Seoul beginning on February 28th before heading oversees. ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ will come to a close on June 1st after two performances in Osaka. 

Photo @uarmyhope

At almost exactly 8:00 on the dot the house lights at Chicago’s All State Arena went down and the arena flooded with red lights illuminating from the stage. If you didn’t know j-hope you may be shocked to think he was starting off with ODB’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” but as the piano notes hit the ears of ARMY, we all knew we were in for opening number “What if…”. The stage, divided into several rising platforms and covered with fabric draping it in it’s entirety, began to transform. As several of the platforms rose and fell, j-hope emerged from the center wearing an iconic all red ensemble including a red leather jacket draped in a fur collar, sunglasses and gloves. 

Transitioning into dance heavy tracks featured on j-hope's 2024 album hope on the street, j-hope hit ARMY's with "lock/unlock," "i don't know," and "i wonder..." Paired with his street team dancers, j-hope hit the stage in an oversized Louis Vuitton polo, complete with bucket hat and bandana to show off his smooth and fluid hip hop numbers. He shared fun and playful moments with dancer Locking Neal, who definitely danced his way into the hearts of ARMY.

Photo @uarmyhope

With everyone loudly chanting “j-hope,” sounding like a chorus from a church I would gladly attend, Hobi went into newest tracks "Sweet Dreams" and "MONA LISA."

Heading into the third act of the show, j-hope showcased older tracks, most notably everyone excited to hear “1 Verse” live for the first time on tour. Some may debate this song either started my reawakening or caused my demise, either way 항상 (HANGSANG) changed my life and I could not believe I would be hearing it live again. Can someone tell me how it went though, because I think I blacked out. 

Photo @uarmyhope

Thoughts of "Calm down my daughter," hit every parent as we transitioned into BTS medley including

"Airplane pt.2," "MIC Drop," and "Silver Spoon." With so much charisma, swag and talent j-hope breathes even more life into the already overflowing air, if the arena could burst I think it would. Ending the set with dance heavy "Chicken Noodle Soup" and finally "Hope World," j-hope fully immerses you into just that - his own Hope World that he has created throughout the years. A positive place to gather, uplift and shine, not only for fans but for the idol.

Photo @uarmyhope

On the Stage, On the Street, In the Car, j-hope is welcome anywhere. Truly an idol of idols, delivering iconic punchy raps, gritty vocals and of course his unattainable dance style, j-hope commands and entrances with every breath and movement. 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' a testament to his power, j-hope continues to cement himself as one of the bests, now and for the "Future."

j-hope

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