Kuwentong Bangtan: JHope asks, "Did you cheat?"

Every year at Festa, BTS members would write ARMY a letter. It is a tradition that both parties look forward to. If you are ARMY, you would know and recognize how much it means to Bangtan to share slivers of their lives in the persona they chose to assume. It’s impressive how they do this - to be authentic and sincere while wearing the skin of a Kpop idol.

This year, I was reduced to tears reading all seven letters. How I wished I had the wisdom that each of them displayed when I was in my 20s-30s. I thank God, nonetheless, for witnessing the depth of Bangtan’s knowledge of themselves amidst a world where people choose to destroy each other. Theirs is an awareness that springs from a deep personal recognition of their limitations. They are eternally curious, too. They wonder all the time! This is power. If you are ARMY, of whatever age, creed and culture, you would do the same in your own unique way.

You would want to create art. You would want to share; to grow; to connect; to reflect, introspect and ask questions. So, I wasn’t surprised when Jhope, our Hobi, inquired. We are used to hearing/reading their reminders and asking us of self care. It was the question about loyalty that was unexpected.

How many were caught off guard? How did ARMY, especially Pearl ARMY, respond? The responses were as interesting as the question itself.

Translations on X abound. And we know what gets lost in translation. But, to continue, I picked two: one from Haruharu and another from an un-named source (will get back on the credit). The former is direct and blunt. The later is gentle and kind. Either way, the question is a brave exploration into human nature and the circumstances that inform our decisions.

What a courageous thing to do, Jung Hoseok!

His question merits a truthful answer. Only in truth can we set ourselves free.

Happy Festa! Happy Independence Day!

#festa2024 #independenceday2024 #AGU_Communication #ARMYGlowUp2025

Kuwentong Bangtan: Serve well, Jung Hoseok!

When Bangtan was starting out in 2013, Hobi had the least number of fans; received very few fan mails; judged and ignored by media. His looks and aesthetics did not fit into the Kpop mould. But Big Hit, being Big Hit knows what to do and puts it faith on seven extremely talented misfits.

Jung Hoseok being one of the seven worked hard and persevered becoming ARMY’s Sunshine and Hope. As one of the three rappers in Bangtan, his brand of poetics and prosody shine through tough times, even questioning the status quo and instilling peace and harmony within the self. In his mix-tape, Hope World and the solo album Jack in the Box, Hoseok examines the listlessness of youth, the struggle for independence and finally, the constant introspection and weighing in of the goodness and the evil that reside in the human heart.

(Yes powz. Hindi lang powz pa-eme-eme ang Bangtan)

His recent single, On the Street is a collaborative work with respected hiphop artist JCole. The song is many things. The layers of meaning can be peeled like an onion. One thing I truly love about On the Street is the allusion to a deep spirituality. Humans as we all are, we are capable of achieving divinity. This is a a message found in many of Bangtan’s songs.

(Yes powz. Hindi lang powz pa-eme-eme ang Bangtan)

And now, Hobi, Jhope, our Sunshine will begin military service leaving us with a song of faith, love and yes, Hope.

“Even my walk was made of your love and your faith.

As always for us!”

Serve well, Jung Hoseok! We love you!

DJ Ahjumma Reviews: Hope Wants More

BTS member Jhope has a new single, More. It dropped last July 1, 2022 causing a stir among casual fans and listeners, intriguing and exciting ARMYs along the way. Fans and Kpop followers are waiting in bated breath for the release of the digital album, Jack in the Box, where More is one of the tracks in the album. This is the first official solo project that a member of BTS launched since the group announced the beginning of Chapter 2 of Bangtan during the Festa Dinner in June.

The noise behind More can be attributed to Jhope's known image and personality being the sunshine and vitamins of Bangtan Sonyeondan. The theme of the single is a departure from his established persona. The colors and the tone of the music and its vidoe is dark and starkly grittier compared to the swag of his melody rap and hard hitting hiphop songs he writes, performs and produces. The beat and the chord patterns are reminiscent of 80s and 90s alternative rock and hiphop that one would have an immediate recall of Linkin Park, Limpbizkit and U2. Nonetheless, this new single emerging from Chapter 2 of Bangtan Sonyeondan is a change welcomed by many, ARMYs and casual fans of Kpop.

Jhope's first mixtape, Hope World (Big Hit 2018), is a burst of colors. The album cover shows a landscape and seascape with striking mix of bright colors: lavander, teal, turquoise, bright yellow green in a red orange back drop. Clouds hover above and an airplane flies over in suspended animation. This is a reflection of Jhope's world at the time. BTS was touring actively and winning awards left and right. It was also the year when BTS as a band started asking questions about the future that is yet to come.

Hope World has eight tracks with the title track bearing the name of the mixtape too. HopeWorld, the song begins with the sounds of bubbles that mimic a swimmer or a diver going underwater. Inspired by the book which Jhope read as a young boy, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Jules Verne), the song is an invitation to his mindscape; his dreams and ambitions; his worries and what keeps him up at night. With an upbeat sound that runs accross all songs in the mixtape, as well as a bit of melacnholy in some songs, Hope World is a wellspring of joyful music that reveals the diverse influences of Jhope as an artist and musician. It was a well recieved work of music from critics, reviewers and ARMYs.

More, on the other hand speaks of hunger and going beyond achievements. It is a song that denotes reaching a certain peak or level of accomplishment that the persona/singer is asking for more. Jhope is involved in a soliloquy by singing out loud on what he can do, what lies ahead, pursuing what ever else is there to conquer and why.

Jhope sings:

Self-learning for 11 years/ My highlighting’s my art of learning 

Endless studying I crash and fall to make my art 

Still make it move from where I stand / Make it mine, make it right 

 Somebody’s favorite song again 

That’s half my life, reason for living, joy of life / Motivated to carry on … 

Bring it all / I’m doing it all

In More, Jhope is determined. The days of the dreamy young man of Hope World who wonders is over. In More, Jhope is Jung Hoseok who has a clearer vision of his identity as artist. He knows what he wants. He knows how to get it.

But the question remains. With More, who is the Jhope who will spring out of the box?

Rating: 4/5 Shots of Soju

Source for lyrics of More: https://www.glamsham.com/music/lyrics/bts-jhope-more-song-lyrics-english-translation

Source for Hope World Mixtape cover: https://pin.it/67LA0YI

Hope's World

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Poetry: What are sunshines if there are no sunsets

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Bangtan Appreciation Post: JHope at Christmas

Kung may ultimate bias may all time bias wrecker. And for me it’s Hobi.

When Hobi dances, he does it with with passion and purpose. Yes, swak ang SMART sa tag line (someone in the advertising department must be ARMY to get this right). He dances with joyful generosity and I can feel it when he moves - from the tip of his hair to the end of his toes. Kita ang kaluluwa! I don’t know how he does it. It can be a natural talent. Something he is born with which was honed and polished over the years.

When Hobi performs, the love is evident. A love he shows and shares with all six members of Bangtan. A love for his family. His rendition of Mama was a touching tribute to his mom, of course. An accessible narrative which many can relate with especially mothers.

So, Hobi. This Christmas, I thank you for always giving your best. You continue to persevere. You are constantly learning.

It is the season of hope. Your stage name is an appropriate reminder that HOPE is something we should always give ourselves not just on Christmas, but all year through and in every waking moment.

Borahae, Jung Hoseok!