'J-Hope In the Box' shows us why Jung Hoseok was born to be a star
The BTS rapper gives fans an inside look on his craft in new documentary
(Photo Credit: Disney+)
One of the things I’ve appreciated most about BTS’s hiatus and new chapter is getting to know each of the members as individuals.
J-Hope, born Jung Hoseok, is commonly known as a lead rapper and main dancer of BTS. However, 2022 saw him blossom as a solo artist with the release of his debut studio album Jack in the Box and a historic headlining performance at Lollapalooza.
Many fans have long known J-Hope was ready for to take on these projects. After all, his 2018 mixtape Hope World made him the highest charting Korean soloist at the time of release, peaking at number 38 on the Billboard 200.
Now a new Disney+ documentary called J-Hope In the Box sheds light on his journey to making Jack in the Box, giving fans a glimpse of some of his more intimate moments — from doubt, fear of failure to his strive for perfectionism.
One could say being placed in a box has followed J-Hope in his journey as a musician. As an Asian artist in white-dominated music industry, we’ve seen time and time again how BTS is perceived in mainstream media — from Grammy snubs to being the subject of tasteless jokes on late night television.
J-Hope’s stage name itself is also a reference to the myth of Pandora’s Box. Once opened, all the evils inside would be released to the world, leaving hope as the only thing left.
On top of all this, many fans of BTS know J-Hope as someone who’s always cheerful and smiling, representing “hope” to fans. It’s rare to see J-Hope angry or sad. As someone with a positive persona to uphold, you could say that portraying someone who is always happy is a “box” in and of itself.
“With Hope World, I was still inside the box. I always wondered if that was who I really was,” J-Hope says in the film about his debut album, describing how he wanted to show a “maturer side” of himself.
It’s no surprise then, that the album soon became known as Jack in the Box.
Having been placed in many boxes throughout his career, J-Hope’s album can be viewed as a way for him to finally reveal his own musical aspirations, but also his inner thoughts, feelings and desires for more fame and success. And thankfully for fans, he gets to fully tell his story from start to finish through this documentary.
(Photo credit: Disney+)
J-Hope In the Box shows never-before-seen footage of the BTS member’s journey of making his debut album and documents the creative process around his Lollapalooza performance, where he became the first South Korean artist to ever headline the main stage of a major U.S. music festival.
When I first listened to Jack in the Box last July, I was truly impressed with the concept. The album discusses themes of passion, ambition, insecurity and anxiety for the future —things I too had been contemplating myself in my life and career. I resonated with the message of wanting to “break the mould and grow further” in my job and as a writer of Asian descent. And having now seen the behind-the-scenes of J-Hope’s creative process, it makes me appreciate just how hardworking and meticulous he really is in his craft.
In the film, we see him spending long nights in the recording studio, struggling with writer’s block, and even apologetically skipping out of a visit from his father who was in town because he wanted to finish his album. “I’d love to go home, have good food and crash out,” J-Hope sighs.
In another scene, he contemplates why he’s even putting in so much effort on the album. “To be absolutely frank, there’s no reason for me to push myself this hard. But I guess this is just who I am.”
(J-Hope rehearsing ahead of Lollapalooza. Photo credit: Disney+)
But it’s not just the music that J-Hope takes extra care in. He’s involved in everything else around him — from choreography, styling, to planning a listening party to celebrate the release of his album.
One can feel the exhaustion on J-Hope during the film, especially as this comes just months after the release of BTS’s anthology album Proof and four sold-out stadium shows in Las Vegas. He sometimes even doubts himself after business meetings. “Maybe I bit off more than I can chew,” he says.
Though it’s easy to see why J-Hope is putting in that much effort. It’s not just because he’s a musical artist with endless creativity and inspiration. In the documentary, he admits he dedicated his entire 20s to BTS, but then reflects on the importance of experiencing “something new to be able to appreciate what I have now.” He later says confidently that he believes pursuing separate activities could also make BTS stronger as a team.
Amidst moments of self-doubt and insecurity however, there is thankfully lots of reprieve in J-Hope’s journey. Midway through the film, he travels out of Seoul back to his parents’ home, where he spends time with his dog Mickey and shows his mother’s ever-growing collection of J-Hope merchandise and BTS magazine covers.
BTS fans will also be delighted to see that Jimin get lots screen time in the film too, after he flies to Chicago to support his bandmate’s Lollapalooza performance. Admitting that he was lonely, J-Hope later reflects on the importance of having Jimin there with him.
“I was panicking and I could only shake off that fear thanks to Jimin,” he says. “Seeing him goof around as usual, I could forget that fear.”
As someone who has had the chance to see a livestream of Lollapalooza, it comes as no surprise that J-Hope successfully executes his first festival performance as a solo act. Still, you just can’t help but feel anticipation and nervousness moments before he jumps on stage. It’s the culmination of having witnessed all the hard work he put in on his album and festival performance. It’s hard not to feel proud of all that he’s achieved.
Yes, it’s true that J-Hope in the Box is obviously made for BTS fans — or ARMY — in mind. However, I would argue the film is just as rewarding a watch if you’re remotely curious about BTS.
It is deeply motivating to see an artist at the very top of his game going through the ups and downs of his creative process. It almost makes you want to channel that same energy on your next project.
Personally, I know I’ll never be as famous or talented as J-Hope. But as a writer who often goes through successes and ruts, this film made me feel seen and appreciated all the same. And if J-Hope can overcome his own creative struggles, so can I.
J-Hope in the Box is out now on Disney+
In other news…
Toronto fans are excited to see actor Lee Min-ho in the city filming the second season of Pachinko. However, they were confused to see him shopping for groceries at Shoppers Drug Mart — a pharmacy chain usually more reserved for buying toilet paper, snacks and makeup products. The actor was also spotted walking around the Lakeshore on a really cold and windy day. As a Toronto gal, I hope he’s enjoying the city and not feeling like we have no good food. Someone please take him to Galleria for some Korean meals! But more importantly, I’d like him to go on a shopping spree at Farm Boy. We MUST KNOW what he thinks of the edamame kale dip. Plus what DOES he really think of our Ontario bagged milk?
HYBE officially becomes largest shareholder of SM Entertainment
Despite tense back and forth, HYBE announced earlier today it has completed its acquisition of a 14.8 per cent stake in SM founder Lee Soo-Man’s shares. This makes HYBE the largest shareholder of SM Entertainment. In an open letter sent by HYBE CEO Jiwon Park, expressed “regret” to SM artists by recent turn of events.
“This is an era of change for both companies. We wish any short-term business decisions or prejudgement by some leaders would no longer cause confusion and uncertainty. I hope the management can come to a wise and reasonable conclusion to ensure that our shared visions and business directions are on the right track,” Park wrote.
This comes after SM Entertainment released a lengthy video statement regarding HYBE’s acquisition of SM founder Lee Soo-man’s shares earlier this week. The video was titled “HYBE’s hostile takeover.”
“As soon as SM’s new vision ‘SM 3.0’ was announced, the largest shareholder sold his stake, and a hostile takeover attempt by a competitor started. This is an attempt that ignores not only the fierce deliberation and efforts of the 600 SM employees who have dreamed of becoming the No. 1 entertainment company in the world, but also the values and pride of SM that it has pursued together with the fans and artists,” said SM Chief Financial Officer Jan Cheol Hyuk.
“Ultimately, K-pop fans will be the ones that will be most affected by the monopoly.”
These exchanges come after SM’s CEO Chris Lee accused Lee Soo-man of greed and poor behind-the-scenes decision making in a separate video released last week. In that video, Chris Lee alleged that Lee Soo-man attempted offshore tax avoidance. Chris Lee added that Lee Soo-man founded a Hong Kong-based production company named CT Planning Limited in 2019 to evade taxes and has been seeking to expand that company's businesses to include all of SM artists' overseas music activities. Read more on the story here.
TWICE is going on another tour…and they didn’t forget Toronto
I’m going to need K-pop groups to stop jump-scaring me on a Tuesday with tour annoncements. Last week, it was Suga. This week, it’s TWICE.
At a time when K-pop groups often forget Canada exists, JYP Entertainment has finally decided to rectify this by bringing TWICE to Toronto! Wow, this should be a Canadian Heritage Moment. After all, it falls right on Canada Day weekend.
BTS’s Jimin will release solo album in March
BTS member Jimin will be releasing his first solo album FACE on March 24, 2023. According to a release by BIGHIT MUSIC, FACE is all about Jimin facing himself head-on as he gets ready for his next step as a solo artist.
Like I said, loving this new chapter!!
ICYMI: Bunni Pop’s exclusive interview with singer TE.O!
I recently had a chance to chat with rising Korean R&B singer TE.O about his new track ‘Payphone.’ I am really excited to include fun interviews with artists and fans on this newsletter. I promise there will be much more to come in 2023!
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