More than just a concert, j-hope’s ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ tour stop in Manila became a heartfelt reunion with the Filipino ARMY and a powerful reminder of BTS’s enduring bond with the Philippines.
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Photo by Pauline Guinto
Just Dance with Destiny
When I first heard that j-hope was bringing his ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ tour to the Philippines, my heart skipped a beat — and then sank just as quickly. As much as I wanted to believe I could be part of it, I knew how hard it would be. BTS has become a global phenomenon, especially in the years since the pandemic. And with ARMY’s fierce love for RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, getting a ticket felt like chasing a star — beautiful, but almost out of reach.
To make things even more uncertain, I’m no longer a full-time employee of a media company in my country, so I quietly told myself it was fine. Hobi isn’t my ultimate bias, after all. I should be okay… right? But that logic quickly crumbled when I streamed the first day of ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ in Seoul. Seeing j-hope through the dual lens of a fan and a writer stirred something in me. I knew then: I needed the universe to step in. I needed to be part of the ocean — this time, not purple, but red.
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From buses to planes, Filipino ARMYs went the distance for a night with j-hope. Photo by Erica Luna.
Stepping Into the Hope World
For Filipino ARMY, j-hope’s return marked more than a concert — it was a homecoming. The last time he stood on a Philippine stage was in 2017, alongside his BTS brothers for The Wings Tour. This time, he is alone — not because he was apart, but because he was ready to shine solo.
My best friend Angeli — the type of concert-goer who breathes in manifestations and exhales miracles — was the reason I made it. While I tried to stay realistic, she stayed rooted in quiet certainty. Her faith paid off: we got two upper box tickets for Day 1 of the concert last April 12 — a day that, serendipitously, fell exactly 70 days before Suga, the last BTS member, returns from his mandatory military service.
Even then, I moved cautiously. I didn’t overprepare, didn’t overthink. My outfit came from my existing closet. My ARMY Bomb? Tested only a few hours before we left. But the moment we stepped into the venue, all the hesitation disappeared. I was in.
Daydream Realized
As we settled into our seats and started snapping photos and videos, I sent a quick message to my former boss — a heartfelt thank you for the ARMY Bomb he gifted me back in Christmas 2021. Looking around the arena, it felt surreal, like I had stepped inside the screen I’d spent years watching. But this time, the cheers, the smiles, the concert fits, the energy — they were all real.
Then j-hope appeared. Dressed in a short-sleeved jacket and a red t-shirt, a nod to the sweltering heat of Manila, he was on stage with an energy that felt intimate and intentional. He looked like he came for us, not just as a performer, but as someone returning to a place that had long held him close.
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The production and stage design of ‘HOS’ made sure there were no bad seats, highlighting j-hope’s role as BTS’s dance and performance leader. Photo by Pauline Guinto.
The concert opened with the first chapter, Ambition, which erupted with tracks like “Pandora’s Box,” “Arson,” and “MORE.” Their urgency, amplified by explosive visuals and scorching pyrotechnics, felt more visceral in person. Behind his Balenciaga shades, j-hope paused to say, “You guys make me so happy, so I'll make you guys happy, too.” A simple phrase — but a reminder that the bond between j-hope and his Pinoy fans runs deep and mutual.
The next chapter, Dream, shifted gears. This was Hobi: the dancer, the dreamer, the storyteller. His 2023 digital single, “on the street,” echoed through the venue. But it was “lock/unlock” that gripped me. I wasn’t much of a singer, yet here I was — overflowing with energy, singing despite being out of tune, using my ARMY Bomb as an impromptu mic.
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j-hope reconnects with his first love: dance. Photo by Erica Luna.
“i don’t know” and “i wonder...” peeled back all of j-hope’s remaining layers. We all swayed together, lightsticks gently pulsing, completely immersed. Then came “Trivia: Just Dance,” and with it, a flood of confetti and pure joy. “Sweet Dreams” and “MONA LISA” followed, bringing out a hint of Jay, his bold and sensual alter ego — and suddenly, we were all moving as one.
Airplane Mode
Expectations, the third act, brought a different vibe. Deep cuts like 'Base Line' and '1 Verse' showcased j-hope’s rap skills. The moment he performed 'HANGSANG' and 'Airplane,' my brain short-circuited. Then, when BTS hits 'Airplane Pt. 2,' 'MIC Drop,' 'Silver Spoon,' and 'Dis-ease' played — we all went wild. I found myself dancing on the stairs, ARMY Bomb in hand, unable to hold still. There was no choreography to follow — just instinct, release, and freedom.
Then came Fantasy — the fourth chapter. Starting with “Outro: Ego,” j-hope reminded us to embrace every version of ourselves: past, present, and still unfolding. “Daydream” blurred the line between the imaginary and the tangible for me. By the time “Chicken Noodle Soup” dropped, the entire arena was bouncing.
And then — “Hope World.” I felt like everything in me cracked open. For a moment, all the doubts and deadlines disappeared. The air rained “Hobi money” and I laughed, thinking: happiness might not be for sale, but this? Worth every penny.
Equal Sign of Hope
The final chapter, Wish, took everything higher. When “= (Equal Sign)” started, j-hope descended into the crowd — choosing one lucky fan to sing to, to smile at, to make the world stop for. But this time, we didn’t feel left out. We felt seen. Somehow, in that moment, the Filipina chosen by Hobi was all of us.
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In true Filipino fashion, j-hope was met with warmth and admiration. Photo from j-hope’s Official Instagram account.
The night closed with “Future” and “Neuron” — songs that reached beyond the now and pointed forward. As the lights dimmed and ARMY Bombs blinked out, something lingered. Everyone left glowing — not just from the lights, but from everything we had shared, and this time, it included j-hope, in real life.
Hope “on the street”
While not everyone made it into the arena, that didn’t stop the Filipino ARMY from turning Manila into a living, breathing Hope World. Nearly 40 BTS fanbases joined forces for Hopeful in Manila, crafting guides, organizing projects, and transforming the city into a festival of light, love, and fandom.
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As part of the HOPEFUL in MANILA project, ARMY covered their lightsticks with sunflower toppers and waved them during “Sweet Dreams,” turning the arena into a glowing Sunflower HOPEfield. Photo from BANGTANTV’s YouTube channel.
Street banners lined Macapagal Blvd., NAIAx, and lamp posts along SM Mall of Asia. Free bus rides called Hope on the Move helped fans from all over the metro reach the venue. UARMYZONE at MOA Music Hall became a mini wonderland of merch booths, art, and activities. Inside or outside the venue, the spirit was the same—creative, generous, and unified.
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This fan project, raised during ARMY Time on Day 2, is a reminder of how ‘HOTS’ brought us together. Photo by Mateo Juyseu.
Fans gave away various tokens: snacks, stickers, banners, keychains, bracelets — no expectations, just kindness. While in line at Paris Baguette, I casually asked the girl in front of me if she was attending the show after noticing her BTS-inspired keychain. We exchanged a few words, and when she asked who my bias was, she smiled and casually handed me an original Dicon RM photocard — just like that.
More in the Future?
The energy in Manila was unlike anywhere else. Of course, Manila delivered vocally — so much that international fans joked we probably swallowed CDs. The Philippine pride response? Well, we do sing the national anthem every week in school. And didn’t we invent karaoke?
j-hope’s Weverse Live after his Day 2 concert last April 13 at 11 PM lasted a full hour and two minutes, notably longer than his livestreams from other cities. While everyone joked it was because the Wi-Fi in his hotel kept lagging, you could tell Hobi was savoring every last bit of time he had in the Philippines. He even proudly showed what he had for his (very late) dinner: crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckle with crunchy skin), sinigang na baboy sa sampaloc (a tangy tamarind-based pork soup), crispy sisig (a sizzling dish of chopped pork, onions, and chilies), garlic rice, and his new favorite dessert — halo-halo, a colorful mix of crushed ice, sweetened fruits, flan, purple yam, and milk.
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While j-hope enjoyed Filipino food and caught up with ARMY, Jin joined in the fun through the comment section. Screenshot from j-hope’s Weverse livestream.
This, on top of his playful banter and heartfelt ments (short speeches) during the show, made it clear j-hope truly had a good time in the Philippines. At one point, he began saying, “I know it may be sad, but…” — only to be interrupted by a chorus of ARMY chanting “Walang uuwi!” (No one’s going home!). Understandably confused but amused, Hobi joined in the chant, then asked, “Can I speak Korean?” before turning to his translator to ask what it meant. After learning the translation, he teased, “Eh di dapat dito lang ako?” (“Then I should just stay here?”) — and promptly sat down on the stage, much to the crowd’s delight.
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Even without the official tour jersey and acorn charm, Filipino ARMY made sure j-hope would never forget Manila. Photo by Erica Luna
“Alam nyo, today is ’yung beginning ng Asian tour, kaya napaka-precious nung moment tsaka nung concert ngayong gabi.” (“You know, today marks the start of my Asian tour, so this moment and tonight’s concert are incredibly precious.”) - j-hope said through his translator.
“It has been a long time since I last visited Manila, Philippines, and syempre, it’s beyond expectation,” he continued. (“Of course, it’s beyond expectation.”) “You guys gave me a lot of inspiration today. Syempre nabigay nyo na ang hope sa ’kin para sa aking Asian tour,” he added. (“You’ve already given me the hope I need for the rest of my Asian tour.”)
And before saying goodbye, j-hope promised: “Syempre, babalik ako dito.” (“Of course, I’ll come back here.”)
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One of the banners proudly held by a Filipino ARMY during Day 1 of the concert. This one reads “Pak Ganern” — a playful Filipino phrase similar to “Boom! Nailed it!” — which j-hope said during BTS’s mall show in the Philippines years ago. Photo by Erica Luna.
This concert wasn’t just a tour stop — it was a long-overdue embrace between j-hope and his Filipino ARMY. With their united fan projects, the Filipinos have shown that we are ready, not just for one member, but for the full symphony of seven. ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ in Manila wasn’t just a performance; it was the match that struck hope and lit a thousand dreams. And maybe, just maybe, it was the sign that one day, “Spring Day” will finally come again — with all of BTS, back on a Philippine stage, where the magic never really left.
Words by Erica Luna
Photos by Erica Luna, Pauline Guinto, Mateo Juyseu, screenshots from j-hope’s Weverse Livestream, j-hope’s Official Instagram account