Seoul: J-Hope of K-pop supergroup BTS has been featured on the cover of Billboard's May issue.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.S. music magazine highlighted J-Hope's role as a dancer, rapper, and singer-songwriter in BTS, noting his magnetic stage presence and captivating dance moves that contributed to the group's global success. The cover story, released on Tuesday, emphasizes J-Hope's influence in the music industry and his unique position as the second male soloist from the K-pop genre to be featured on Billboard's cover, following Psy in 2012, as stated by BTS' agency, BigHit Music.
BTS previously appeared on the cover of the magazine's 2018 special issue and its August 2021 issue. J-Hope expressed his aspirations in the cover story, saying, "Just as I drew inspiration from the artists I admired growing up, shaping my own music through their influence, I'd be honored if my work could inspire others and pass on that same positive energy -- that would mean the world to me." He further shared his hope to grow into an artist who spreads light and encouragement wherever he goes.
In a historical moment for the artist, J-Hope became the first South Korean male soloist to hold a concert at a stadium in the United States during his inaugural solo world tour in April. Reflecting on this achievement, he admitted to initial doubts about performing solo, having been accustomed to sharing the stage with his bandmates. However, he successfully rose to the challenge, marking it as a cherished milestone in his career.
J-Hope's latest single, "Mona Lisa," debuted at No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March, following his collaboration with Miguel on "Sweet Dreams," released two weeks earlier. He articulated his artistic journey, stating, "Both tracks are easy to connect with, yet they offer a glimpse into the broader, more evolved musical world I'm building. This is just the start -- I have plenty more musical experiments in store."
The rapper-dancer is scheduled to continue his world tour in Taipei on Saturday and Sunday, further solidifying his solo career on the global stage.