Jaehwa Bernardo

K-pop superstar J-Hope performs during the first day of his 'Hope On The Stage' concert in Manila, held at the Mall of Asia Arena, April 12, 2025. Photo from J-Hope's Instagram account

Article (news)

BTS' J-Hope electrifies Manila with stunning 'Hope On The Stage' concert

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744523764502SnapInsta.to_490373937_639741282189516_759312750576412923_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>K-pop superstar J-Hope performs during the first day of his &#x27;Hope On The Stage&#x27; concert in Manila, held at the Mall of Asia Arena, April 12, 2025. Photo from J-Hope&#x27;s Instagram account</div>MANILA — “You guys’ energy is on another level,” J-Hope said in English, addressing the sold-out crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena, four songs into the first night of his “Hope On The Stage” tour in Manila on Saturday.As he introduced himself and welcomed fans to the concert, the fervent cheers continued to pour in, prompting him to remark, “Okay, I just love this sound.” He then urged the crowd to “[o]ne more time. Everybody, mag-ingay (Make some noise)!” The audience complied, filling the Pasay venue with deafening shrieks.Listening to the screams, it&#x27;s hard to believe that many of the fans, collectively known as ARMY, had been in the venue’s vicinity for several hours before showtime, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/4/12/j-hope-is-back-bts-star-s-return-to-ph-thrills-fans-1607">celebrating J-Hope’s return to the country</a> through various activities.Earlier in the day, a “fan zone” was set up at the nearby Mall of Asia’s music hall, featuring a photo wall and J-Hope standees for fans to take pictures with, as well as booths selling BTS merchandise. Around the mall, fans exchanged self-made merchandise, including bracelets and stickers.But the day-long festivities did little to drain the fans’ energy. For the lucky ones inside the concert hall that night, there was plenty to scream about.After all, the Manila show was not just the first stop on the tour’s Asia leg, but it also marked the first time in nearly eight years that a member of BTS had returned to the Philippines to perform.One could say the crowd’s enthusiasm was the culmination of a long wait, even if it was just for one member.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744524087821SnapInsta.to_490274174_1700803637311607_2734778618184456686_n.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo from J-Hope&#x27;s Instagram account</div>As expected, J-Hope—whose real name is Jung Ho-seok—did not disappoint, powering through a 27-piece repertoire over the course of two-and-a-half hours, backed by a live band and a crew of equally skilled dancers. More than anything, the concert was a testament to the 31-year-old artist’s talent, charisma and remarkable stamina.One segment saw him blaze through 11 songs, from “1 Verse” to “Chicken Noodle Soup,” with only a few brief pauses in between.With most of the tracks highlighting his strengths in rap and dance, J-Hope was almost always in motion, working the stage to hype the crowd or delivering choreography. Even drenched in sweat, he somehow managed to look effortlessly cool and fresh.The concert’s production was nothing short of spectacular, with a setup fit for a star of J-Hope’s caliber. The pyrotechnics and bursts of confetti were a given, but the stage design also captured attention. Made up of smaller cube-shaped lifts, the stage morphed into various configurations—from a towering box seemingly inspired by J-Hope’s debut album “Jack In The Box” to stepped platforms.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744524118150SnapInsta.to_491468744_652802624274563_4269123730892486695_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo from J-Hope&#x27;s Instagram account</div><div>Diverse sounds</div>The stage and background visuals perfectly complemented the performances, which highlighted J-Hope’s diverse discography. The opening set, for instance, featured tracks from “Jack In The Box,” characterized by its old-school hip-hop sound and grungy vibe.In “Pandora’s Box,” the large screen at the center and the elevated parts of the stage revealed the silhouette of a figure seemingly trapped inside a box, adding a haunting visual layer to the performance.For “Arson,” the raised sections were drenched in molten lava projections, while flames erupted from the stage’s perimeter and behind J-Hope.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744523899204Copy of JHOPE_01.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>The performance of &#x27;Pandora&#x27;s Box.&#x27; Photo from Live Nation Philippines. Photo courtesy of BigHit Music via Live Nation Philippines</div>Another segment saw J-Hope draw largely from &quot;Hope On The Street Vol.1,&quot; his special album paying homage to his roots as a street dancer.He shared the spotlight with his dancers, showcasing styles like popping and tutting against the groovy soundscapes of tracks such as “lock / unlock,” “i don’t know,” and “i wonder...”. The set closed on a high note with the ebullient “Trivia: Just Dance.”He also debuted his newer singles: The laid-back R&amp;B track “Sweet Dreams,” where smoke drifted across the stage to evoke the clouds from the music video, and the flirty “Mona Lisa,” during which audience members appeared on screen with their faces transformed into a painted style.J-Hope turned up the energy once again with the lengthy set that kicked off with “1 Verse,” followed by tracks from his “Hope World” mixtape and select BTS songs. The performances had even those in the upper floors on their feet—jumping, dancing, singing along, and waving their light sticks in the air.“Manila ARMY, you guys know how to party. It was so fun singing and dancing with you guys,” J-Hope said.A standout moment came during “Mic Drop,” when fans passionately delivered the fan chant in unison, their voices echoing throughout the venue as they recited the names of all seven BTS members during the song’s intro.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744523959044SnapInsta.to_490359643_1375975896756770_6181830421906055266_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>J-Hope interacts with the crowd. Photo from J-Hope&#x27;s Instagram account</div><div>No one left out</div>J-Hope also made sure no part of the crowd felt left out. He didn’t just perform for those in front of the stage; several numbers had him turning fully to the left or right, engaging with fans on all sides of the arena. He also kept acknowledging those in the upper floors, occasionally calling on them for a cheer. In some songs, like “1 Verse” and during the encore, he stepped off the stage to get even closer to the fans in front, holding their hands and giving high-fives.Near the end of the concert (presented by Live Nation Philippines), the audience chanted, “Walang uuwi” (No one’s going home).At first, J-Hope didn’t quite understand, but true to his mischievous nature, he playfully repeated the phrase, amusing fans.Once the meaning was translated to him, he casually sat on stage and asked through an interpreter, “So I should just stay here?”. This led to even louder chants from the crowd.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744523987181SnapInsta.to_491456648_1015929503818947_8507259253795182981_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo from J-Hope&#x27;s Instagram account</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744524008043Copy of JHOPE_04.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Fans fill up the Mall of Asia Arena during the first day of the &#x27;Hope On The Stage&#x27; concert in Manila. Photo courtesy of BigHit Music via Live Nation Philippines</div>J-Hope described the Manila concert as a “precious moment,” crediting the local crowd’s passion for setting the tone for the rest of his tour’s Asian leg.“It’s also been a long time since I last visited Manila, Philippines, right? Of course, it’s beyond expectations,” he said.“I was able to absorb your energy and vibe so I’m looking forward to this Asia tour. And with that, you guys gave me a lot of inspiration today. Of course, you gave me hope for my Asia tour,” he said.J-Hope also vowed to return. “I’ll never forget Manila and make sure to come back,” he said.And judging by the cheers and fan-made signs shown on the screens before the encore, it’s clear what many Filipino ARMY are hoping for:  that the next time J-Hope steps onto a Philippine stage, he won’t be alone, but reunited with all six of his bandmates—five of whom are still completing their mandatory military service—for a full BTS concert.<div>Setlist</div>What if...Pandora’s BoxArsonStopMoreon the street (Solo Ver.)lock / unlocki don&#x27;t knowi wonder...Trivia: Just DanceSweet DreamsMona Lisa1 VerseBase LineHangsangAirplaneAirplane pt.2Mic DropSilver Spoon (Baepsae)Dis-easeOutro: EgoDaydreamChicken Noodle SoupHope World= (Equal Sign)FutureNeuron

During his 'Hope On The Stage' concert, BTS star J-Hope powered through a 27-piece repertoire, showcasing his stamina, charm and commanding stage presence.

During his 'Hope On The Stage' concert, BTS star J-Hope powered through a 27-piece repertoire, showcasing his stamina, charm and commanding stage presence.