This concert gives me j-hope

Ben Hurney / THE GATEPOST

By Liv Dunleavy Asst. Arts & Features Editor Jung Hoseok - more commonly referred to as his stage name j-hope, and to ARMY as Hobi - has been on the North American leg of his world tour “Hope On The Stage Tour,” (HOTST) and as an attendee, I can confidently say if “Arson” was what he was going for, he has been definitely leaving a trail of fire in his wake. I attended day two of the Brooklyn, New York shows, and let me tell you, spoilers be damned, this was easily one of the most memorable concerts I’ve ever attended. From outfits I can only describe as, “Oh God please help me,” and a setlist that could bring the roof down if you would just GIVE me a minute - HOTST was not to be messed with. ARMY showed up and showed out, many dressed in j-hope’s unofficial (but kind of obviously official) color palette of red and black, and some fun themed outfits that could only be Hobi inspired. If I bet a hundred dollars for every hamburger and Sprite costume duo at a show, I’d be rich. Jung Hoseok is not a man who does things carelessly. Everything - the stage design, props, transitions, and attire, all the way down to his belt - which we WILL talk about - was meticulously planned. Every song had the crowd on their feet and screaming, and no, we don’t just sing along or stand still at a j-freaking-hope concert - everyone was dancing, chanting, and screaming our ARMY hearts out. The energy in that stadium was palpable. I was sweating and crying at the same time and I felt like my skin was buzzing and the euphoric feeling of seeing our hope, our sunshine, after it’s been so long - it is a true privilege to say I was breathing the same air as Jung Hoseok. The transitions were like whiplash, from sobbing to “on the street (solo version)” straight into watching a dance battle of his backup dancers - my confusion had me literally just viciously wiping the tears off of my face to chant and clap because I have to admit they were tearing that floor up. His decision to perform an unreleased song from his new album also caught me off guard - except it didn’t because he performed it the night before so we all just acted surprised and also we died because what the heck was that! “Mona Lisa,” his newest released single, is not only a banger but also changing the BTS hierarchy as we know it! Put that man back in his box! He’s going insane! At this point I’m not calling him j-hope. That’s just Jay now, because I’ve lost all hope. He revealed to us his new belt buckle in a way that I don’t believe is safe for work. Sir, this is a sports arena. All jokes aside, I am glad Hobi is venturing into more genres of music with his new albums, because I love his singing voice and his most recent singles have shown his vocal talent that ARMY has been deprived of. J-hope said during his fake first ending ment, “I have to say I’ve missed this moment. I was thinking earlier when I was on the bed, it felt like it was at home. The funny thing is I couldn't believe it myself so I laughed to myself - that’s how comfortable I am and how happy I am to be here with you.” We have been apart for what felt like a really long time. ARMY and Bangtan’s relationship still holds strong, but we miss them. It showed how fiercely we care when j-hope performed BTS group songs and every soul in the room was participating in the fan chant. After the encore, and the final sing along of “NEURON (with Gaeko & YOON MIRAE),” the tears were flowing for most in the room. Jung Hoseok has shown us so much of himself since 2013. We have discovered ourselves through his music and he has learned about himself through our love. “Like the name of this tour, I am at my happiest when I'm on the stage,” he said during his fake ending ment, and smiled so brightly the sun was outshone for a moment. It was a lot, emotionally, to be in a room with all of these people who I love so much. Experiencing a BTS concert is one of the most joyous moments of life. I have been lucky enough to experience it and I hope to again. “I’ll tell you again, we’ll never ever give up forever. I’ll say it again, we’ll always be alive to move us,” when the concert came to a close, j-hope and ARMY sang in unison.