AceShowbiz - J-Hope is described by songwriter James Essien, one of his collaborators on Arirang, as "softly spoken and kind of elegant," but then, when he raps, it’s like an unexpected force, akin to DMX bursting through unexpectedly. This contrast defines much of his artistry and public persona.

His 2022 solo debut, Jack in the Box, followed his 2018 mixtape Hope World, showcasing a sound that is both diverse and relentlessly powerful. J-Hope, born Jeong Hoseok, consistently surprises listeners, revealing that his cheerful image is only one facet of his identity.

Having joined BigHit (now Hybe) as a street dancer, J-Hope only learned to rap after becoming a member of BTS. He is known for his quick wit in interviews, often filling silences and sensing when the energy in a room or among his friends needs lifting. “I do what I can for the other members,” he stated during a mid-February interview at Hybe’s Seoul headquarters.

Regarding his return to BTS after completing his military service, J-Hope shared how the reunion feels distinctly different from his solo period. “After finishing my military service, I performed as a solo artist for a time before reuniting with the group. During that time, I was already feeling how different those experiences are. Now that we're back together, the other members are filling in any gaps that I feel in my expression, in my performance.”

He reflected on the group dynamic, emphasizing the unique strengths of each member: “In a lot of ways, I realized that this is why there are seven of us: Each person was doing their job spectacularly well, and that was something to cherish. But my favorite part is that the fans will be happy that we're back together. I'm so happy about that as well.”

The May issue of Rolling Stone marks its nearly 60-year history with an ambitious cover story, featuring eight different print covers. These include a group cover and seven solo covers, one for each BTS member, accompanied by videos and solo Q&As released through April 20. Fans can also purchase a box set of all eight covers.

J-Hope's solo track “Arson” contains a pivotal lyric: “Do I put out the fire, or burn even brighter?” This line resonates deeply with his personal and BTS’s career journeys, echoing RM’s reflection on contemplating disbandment but choosing to continue instead. When asked about this connection, J-Hope explained, “When I was writing that song in 2022, I poured in all of my emotions I was feeling at the time. Back then, I was worried. I thought: Is getting all this love and attention actually a good thing? Maybe while everyone is clapping and cheering for me, I should just turn it all off. And I wondered whether I wanted this.”

He acknowledged personal growth since then: “But I think I've changed a lot since then. Because all of this is just a part of me. And through it all, whether working with the group or in my personal career, I'm experiencing a lot of life and learning from everything.”

“There are things that you can only feel at a particular time in your life. That's how you live, and grow, and become an adult, after all. I think I felt a lot of that while making music during that time and ever since.”

When asked if BTS might have ended their journey while on top, J-Hope responded thoughtfully, “Now that some time has passed, I realized it's probably not something I can stop just because I want to stop it. Personally, I'm very affected by the people around me, so I have to think about whether I can handle the emotional effect my decisions will have on so many others. I struggled with that. In the end, I felt that keeping the flame burning is what I truly want, and the choice that feels most authentically me.”

On the metaphor of being inside a box, which was central to his 2022 solo album, J-Hope noted, “I think that was a perfect metaphor for the time. But now that I've made more of my own music, challenged myself, and felt more overall, I wouldn't say that I'm in a box anymore. Now, I'm wondering, ‘What can I create now that I'm outside of the box?’”

He connected his music’s origin story to Pandora’s Box, explaining, “Although, actually, the origin story for [my] music comes from Pandora's box. In the story, all evil is released when she opens the box, but when she closes it, there's still hope left inside. So what does hope have to face when it leaves the box? When I think about it, there must be so many ... other presences that I need to find and incorporate into my music. Because there are so many emotions in life, right? Whether it's joy, or love, or even something more negative, nowadays I'm more interested in facing those emotions head-on and expressing them through my music.”

J-Hope also reflected on his role within BTS, both musically and emotionally. Known for keeping the group united and sharing leadership duties with RM, he revealed, “I wouldn't say it's a burden. I just do what I can. I think that's my role on the team. And, well, I don't think of it as a requirement. I don't think about what I need to do. It just comes naturally. This ... role? Should I even call it that? It feels weird to call it a role. But all I do is take it in stride.”

The theme of hope runs deeply through his work and life. When questioned about his own source of hope, J-Hope said, “Well ... I actually think about that all the time. Even as I went around talking about hope, I wasn't sure if I was truly a hopeful person. Truthfully, though, it's all about your mindset. Before I got my name J-Hope, was I always a bright, positive, and hopeful person? Sure, I had a lively personality, but I wasn't obsessing over the nature of hope or anything. It's like the name made me who I am, and the place I found in life made me who I am as well.”

He explained how receiving the name changed his perspective: “Once I got this name, I told myself that I should take responsibility for this name that I'm carrying, and it changed something inside of me. I started searching for hope everywhere. So I told others about this as well. That if you change your mindset, you can truly find hope. I'm always reminding myself, ‘You are J-Hope.’ So, no, I don't have a detailed method for how to get there, but my current life is so intertwined with the concept of hope, and J-Hope, so I happened to find my way.”

Discussing the recording process for the BTS album Arirang, J-Hope highlighted a new experience for the group: “First off, just the fact that all seven of us flew to the States and had recording sessions together was a complete change to our process. So we had a lot of fun taking in the culture and feeling out the vibes as we worked. I think that's what made this album as special and unique...”