"The first solo stadium performance is of great significance to me and is history itself."

Jung Ho-seok of BTS concluded his North American tour successfully on July 7 (Korean time) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, with the ‘j-hope Tour ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ in LOS ANGELES’. Jung proved his presence once again, connecting with approximately 178,000 audience members through a total of 12 performances across six cities.

In particular, as the first K-pop solo artist to perform at BMO Stadium, his Los Angeles concert drew significant attention even before it began. Moreover, Miguel made a surprise appearance during the performance of his new song "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)" to join in celebrating the grand finale.

On this day, Jung warmly greeted the fans filling the audience and started his performance with "What if..." followed by "Pandora’s Box," "Arson," "Trivia 起 : Just Dance," and "Hope World," showcasing a stage that embodied his identity and narrative. In pieces like "MIC DROP + Dae-bsae + Byeong," and "Chicken Noodle Soup (feat. Becky G)," he displayed perfect synergy with his dancers, while in "on the street (solo version)," and "NEURON (with Gaeko, Yumirae)," he warmly interacted with the audience, raising the energy of the performance.

Jung filled the stadium with flawless live vocals and overwhelming performances, while the audience responded with explosive cheers and sing-alongs. In particular, there was a passionate reaction to his new songs "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)" and "MONA LISA." After delivering sweetness in "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)," he captivated the crowd with powerful and sexy choreography during "MONA LISA." His performance, which skillfully controlled the tempo, left the audience in awe.

Towards the end of the concert, Jung remarked, "Today is the day that adorns the finale of the North American tour. At first, I had doubts and fears. But I realized that experiencing and facing many things ultimately helps me understand myself and the world. That becomes sincerity, and that sincerity turns into music, and that music is conveyed to all of you. I am grateful and love all the ARMY who are with me through this process. The first solo stadium performance is of great significance to me and is history itself. This stage is created by all of you, and everything becomes one because of you. Like the name of this tour, I am happiest when I am on stage."

Foreign media praised Jung's North American tour. The American economic magazine Forbes noted, "Jung's concert is a masterpiece showcasing the pinnacle of creativity and music," adding, "Even though he performed the same setlist across five previous cities, he radiated joy and passion on stage as if he had been waiting for this moment all his life. Despite the intense choreography and continuously live vocals, Jung's energy never faltered or diminished."

The LA Times evaluated, "Jung seems to grow more with each city he performs in. He seamlessly transcended the boundaries of rap and song in ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’, showcasing a diverse range of vocals." They then focused on his stage dominance and musical growth as the first K-pop solo artist to perform at BMO Stadium.

Meanwhile, Jung will kick off the ‘j-hope Tour ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ in ASIA TOUR’ in Manila on the 12th and 13th. He will subsequently meet fans in Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, and Osaka.

[Photo] Provided by Big Hit Music

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