J-HOPE graced the final main stage of 'Lollapalooza Berlin' at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, around 3 AM KST on the 14th, delivering a spectacular 90-minute performance that served as the grand finale of the festival. The event attracted an audience of approximately 60,000 people.
The venue was packed from dawn with global fans, underscoring his worldwide popularity. Fans started hyping up the atmosphere well before the show began, chanting not only J-HOPE and BTS's names but also "J-HOPE, We wanna party!"
True to his word, J-HOPE thoroughly enjoyed the festival. He performed 21 songs, rearranged with a band sound, and heated up the venue with performances befitting a 'world-class performer'. Despite the intense choreography, his stable vocals proved his worth. As night fell, the official light sticks, Army Bombs, shone brightly, and J-HOPE's presence under the spectacular fireworks was nothing short of powerful. The audience responded with deafening cheers, and many were moved to tears.
J-HOPE made his entrance on a lift, opening the show with 'What if...' and 'Pandora's Box' from his first solo album 'Jack In The Box'. He then exclaimed, "'Lollapalooza' is my second time. Welcome to round 2 of 'Hobipalooza' (a portmanteau of J-HOPE and Lollapalooza). Are you ready to go wild tonight? Let's do this!" instantly elevating the mood.
He went on to perform 'on the street (solo version)', 'lock / unlock (with benny blanco, Nile Rodgers)' among other tracks from his special album 'HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1'. The stage for 'Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)' was bursting with sexiness. The audience sang along loudly to 'MONA LISA' from start to finish. During 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel) - FNZ Remix', a surprise event featuring purple heart slogans moved the crowd. As BTS's group songs 'MIC Drop', 'Dynamite (Tropical Remix) + Butter (Hotter Remix)' medley began, the excitement reached its peak, with the audience singing along to every Korean lyric.
At the end of the performance, J-HOPE shared, "This year has been incredibly meaningful to me. I'm grateful for so much as I've toured around the world. Being here with you all tonight feels like the perfect conclusion. Thank you once again for joining me on this unforgettable journey. I love you." The fans from around the world shouted "I love you" in Korean, conveying their feelings. Even after the show ended, they continued to chant "J-HOPE, We wanna party!" Prompted by this, J-HOPE returned to the stage to perform '=(Equal Sign)', 'Future', 'NEURON (with Gaeko, Yoon Mi-rae)', showcasing his tireless energy until the very end.
This performance was special as it adapted the 'J-HOPE Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE'' for a large outdoor stage. The tour's iconic lift was placed on both the main and extended stages as a key element of the production. The cube-shaped band, vibrant VJ visuals, lighting, and special effects all combined to enhance the immersion and quality of the performance.
Returning stronger than ever for 'Hobipalooza' after three years, J-HOPE's appearance at 'Lollapalooza Berlin' clearly demonstrated why he was invited as a headliner to this global festival. Previously, in 2022, he made history as the first Korean artist to take the main stage at 'Lollapalooza Chicago'.
[Photo=Big Hit Music]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)