J-Hope at Lollapalooza.Photo: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic
J-Hopehit a huge career milestone over the weekend!
On Sunday, theBTSmember, 28, performed a headlining set at theLollapalooza 2022 in Chicago— and became the first South Korean artist to do so at a major U.S. music festival.
While the performance made music history, it also marked J-Hope’s first as a soloist.
In an interview withRolling Stoneprior to his performance, J-Hope opened up about what it’s been like going out on his own following BTS' announcement earlier this summer that they’re embarking on a “new chapter” in which they’ll release both group and solo projects.
“It’s actually a huge challenge for me as artist J-Hope. It’s a very important momentum to just to go forward,” the musician toldRolling Stonevia a translator. “So I actually had to prepare really hard since it’s a very meaningful moment and an important part of my artistry. After this performance, maybe I’m going to feel a lot of things. I’m sure it’s going to help me as an artist to take the next step.”
J-Hope performing at Lollapalooza in Chicago on July 31.Gary Miller/FilmMagic
He said while this new chapter has been “very fun,” not havingJungkook,Suga,Jimin, V,RMandJinat his side during the solo rehearsal process has been “lonely.”
“I miss my members,” J-Hope admitted.
“[It’s] very challenging, but also very fun,” he continued of the new chapter. “So actually, I think it’s very positive to take on new challenges, [which] are actually going to help me as a person. So I’m actually enjoying the whole process. Every moment is very fun and very new and it makes me feel like I’ve gone back to the old days.”
J-Hope’s first solo album,Jack in the Box, was released July 15. In anotherRolling Stoneinterviewpublished the same day, the performer revealed that the very first person to hear the new record was his bandmate RM.
“He said, ‘Wow, I didn’t think you’d do music like this. I have a bit of brain freeze. And it’s so you. The fact that you brought this music at this time… I really respect it, and I love that it’s so you,'” J-Hope recalled. “He gave me that feedback.”
“It was really funny. After hearing the album, he suddenly went to his studio,” J-Hope said. “I think he felt the motivation to start. I love that one of our greatest motivators is one another.”
BTS.John Shearer/Getty for The Recording Academy
BTS debuted in 2013 and has since become one of the most popular groups in the world, notching several chart-toppingBillboardHot 100 hits including “Dynamite,” “Life Goes On” and “Butter.”
J-Hope toldRolling Stonethat being the first member to put out a solo album came with “a sense of responsibility” and “some pressure.”
“Jack in the Boxis filled only with things I personally wanted to do, almost to the point where I worry to myself, ‘Did I focus too much on solely what I wanted to do?’ I think that’s where the half nervousness comes from,” he said.
The “Chicken Noodle Soup” singer added: “This album is really meaningful to me, and mostly, I feel proud and excited it’s coming out.”
source: people.com
