LE SSERAFIM (feat. J-Hope of BTS) — "Spaghetti" Official MV

"Don't care what you talk about; you're the one comin' runnin' back here every time."

A yoga class, a (gorgeous) drag queen, a spaghetti food truck, swimming in a pool of spaghetti sauce with an asparagus pool noodle, dancing in a giant plate of spaghetti, eating spaghetti with chopsticks in a maze... This MV is WILD. I mean, I know the song's called "Spaghetti," and there's a whole lot of spaghetti imagery, and spaghetti is being used as a metaphor for the band itself (spaghetti is literally blowing people's minds at 3:04), but it's essentially a "FUCK YOU" anthem to Le Sserafim's haters and I'm kinda obsessed. This might be their sassiest song yet (is that actual PROFANITY I hear?), and J-Hope's brand of bad-ass quirkiness fits perfectly here. (He's the king of Chicken Noodle Soup, after all.) It's not an entirely unexpected collab, since Huh Yunjin featured on J-Hope's Hope on the Street album (and they're both on the same label), but his verse really brings out Le Sserafim's peppy cheekiness. And, honestly, "Spaghetti" is just catchy AF.

Anyway, I'm really hungry now.

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour Practice Sketch

"I just need to do a good job myself. The other performances are coming along but we still need to do this live so we've got a long way to go. There are still so many things left to check… This is not good… Whatever the case, I'll do it and I'll stand before you ARMY and show you guys an amazing performance. I'll get through it. So come to the shows with high expectations. This is just the process. Results are what matter."

I know it's his job, but I can't imagine having to re-memorize over 25 songs' worth of choreographies and lyrics in three months to perform live. Globally. In front of hundreds of thousands of people. After being in the military for 1.5 years. But his hard work really paid off because Hope on the Stage was fucking flawless.

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope at Lollapalooza Berlin 2025

How was he not satisfied with his performance here?! This was honestly one of the most energetic, charismatic, and damn near flawless stages I've seen from J-Hope. Like, I know he's a perfectionist but he's being a little too humble here... 

And on another note, I know Justin Timberlake is a 2000s icon, but frankly, in this day and age, BTS is significantly more popular, multi-faceted, and talented (and way less problematic)… but it seemed like J-Hope was way more excited to meet him? And that JT forgot he collaborated with Jungkook until J-Hope reminded him?

BANGTAN BOMB: J-Hope's Summer Swag Sketch

J-Hope: "I wonder if they'll recognize me…"

PSY: "Wow… that was such a 'celebrity' thing to say."

J-Hope: "No, seriously!"

PSY: "Of course they'll recognize you!"

J-Hope: "I'm really worried. It'll be the general public."

PSY: "Geez… Tomorrow's going to be something to remember."

I can't believe J-Hope was worried that the Korean general public wouldn't recognize him. Did he really think PSY would invite him to perform there if he didn't think J-Hope has that kind of impact? J-Hope has proven himself time and time again that he is an insanely talented, incredibly popular solo artist — on top of being apart of the biggest band in the world. J-HOPE, AREN'T YOU BEING A LITTLE TOO HUMBLE?

(On another note, that blingy pizza pendant necklace is basically the best thing I've ever seen in my life.)

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope — Hope on the Stage: Final

I obviously couldn't be there in person, but I'm so glad I got to watch this on livestream. This will forever mark the day BTS was officially reunited in public after their three-year hiatus — so fitting that it was also on the day of their 12th anniversary. God, I can't wait to see the great things they will do together again.

BANGTAN BOMB: J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)" Challenge Sketch

Okay, I don't know like, half of these 4th gen groups but I love how excited and eager and starstruck they are when working with Hobi. So freaking cute! (Also, ENHYPEN killed this challenge.)

J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl" Music Show Promotions Sketch

You know, the effort behind creating all these sets at Korean music shows never fails to amaze me. I still wonder why these types of music shows do so well in Asia, but there's nothing like this in North America. I guess the closest we have are those talent competition shows like The Voice, but there's nothing for already-established artists to perform live stages every week and have fans vote on which group wins best new release. I wonder if it's because North America is too physically big? I mean, to be fair, you could fit like, 12 Koreas inside Ontario alone, so logistics would be a nightmare…

Anyway, big congrats to J-Hope for all his music show wins. Truly well-deserved!

J-Hope — Live at Lollapalooza Berlin 2025

So glad BigHit got the rights to livestream this because everything about this performance was IN-FUCKING-CREDIBLE. The set list, his (very naked) fit, his live vocals, his dancing, the live band... Pardon the pun, but Hobi KILLED IT. 

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour in Asia

The amount of hard work, planning, practice, dedication, endurance, creativity, and stamina — not just from J-Hope, but also the dancers and staff — that went into this tour is just remarkable. I am so glad that I got to witness a part of it in person. 

J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl" Dance Practice Behind

I've been following BTS for nine years and I never take the members' energy, commitment, and consistency for granted. I know practice makes perfect, but the sheer amount of elements involved in being a K-pop idol — live and recorded vocals, live and filmed choreography, singing in tune while dancing, dynamic facial expressions, stage placement and positions, charisma and stage presence, media training, face and body aesthetics — is, frankly, beyond exhausting. I will never not be impressed and in awe of the amount of effort going into these performances, but the outcome is so, so worth it.

J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl" MV & Choreography ver. Shoot Sketch

Okay, I know filming this MV was pretty brutal for them, but there's something about dancing in the rain that makes this choreography even sexier…? 

(Also, I want to point out that it is actually hotter in Toronto than it is in Bangkok today — it is 37℃ and with a humidex of 43℃, with a heat warning across the entire metropolitan area — lest non-Canadians think we all live in snow year round. So I can attest to the brutality of being outside in this kind of stifling humidity. And I'm not even doing physical exercise.)

J-Hope on SBS Inkigayo: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

WHOA THERE, MISSY, THAT IS A LOT OF BARE SKIN TOUCHING. (You know, I can't help but think that if this was any of BTS' maknae line — Jimin, V, and Jungkook — a huge amount of ARMYs would be revolting at this amount of sexy touching by a female, even if it is a part of the choreography. Like, to the point where I'd be worried that the dancer would get serious death threats. An unfortunate double-standard in BTS, but it's true.)

J-Hope at MBC Show! MusicCore: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

I love that J-Hope is still using the original dance crew from the MV for all his Korean music show appearances. I recognize some of the dancers from his tour and the "Mona Lisa" MV, too. Imagine being so integral to these performances that J-Hope won't use any other crew, even if it means paying for them to travel the world with him. Man, they're living the ultimate back-up dancer's dream. 

J-Hope at KBS Music Bank: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

Another amazing live performance, and I'm just gonna go ahead and say it — I think it's significantly better than the recorded version. The live stages have rendered the AutoTune on the recorded version completely unnecessary. I know they added the AutoTune for stylistic reasons, but I just prefer Hobi's real, live vocals so much more.

J-Hope at Mnet M Countdown: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

Okay, first of all, this is, without a doubt, the biggest stage I've ever seen on a Korean music show. I think bigger than anything I've seen even for BTS. Secondly, J-Hope has gotten awfully comfortable with being naked on stage. Thirdly, we are just being VISUALLY ATTACKED left, right, and centre. Yeah, J-Hope, "I'm not sure if I pulled off the bad boy role," MY ASS.

J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)" Official MV (Choreography ver.)

JUNG HOSEOK, THIS IS ILLEGAL. 

BTS CHOREOGRAPHY: J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)" Dance Practice

It's sassy, sexy, and full of attitude, but it also looks technically complex and suits the song perfectly. This might be my favourite J-Hope solo choreography yet.

J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl" Stage Cam at Hope on the Stage: Final (Day 1)

A better view of the "Killin' It Girl" choreography from Hope on the Stage: Final (which was INSANE, by the way — and I can't believe Jungkook is already performing with full vocals and full choreography literally 3 days after military discharge) and I swear, it gets hotter every time I watch it.

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour in North America

I am so glad to have been able to witness J-Hope perform live in person. My friend Iris and I went to the first show on the tour in Brooklyn, and to have been able to be a part of the audience to see "Mona Lisa" performed for the first time was an absolute honour. J-Hope is a phenomenal performer — his energy, live vocals, charisma, choreography, and stage presence are just incredible. I know how much the BTS members practice for anything that they have to do, especially for live performances, but it really, really pays off.

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope HOPE ON THE STAGE Tour in Seoul

"All the Bangtan parents came yesterday. They were apparently very surprised. I feel so glad that they enjoyed it. From the parents' perspective, every member is their kid. Imagine how proud they must feel knowing how tough this is, more than anyone else. They've watched everything from the sidelines as family. All the parents showed up yesterday, not a single one missing. I felt so grateful."

Hope on the Stage was planned impeccably. The set list, the outfits, the choreography, the live band, the back-up dancers and, most importantly, J-Hope's energy, are all incredible. The show I went to on this tour was so vivid and memorable for me, and I am just so, so glad I was able to get tickets, let alone such amazing seats. (Not to mention that I was lucky enough to attend Day 1 of the Brooklyn shows, where he premiered "MONA LISA" — a genuinely amazing surprise that even Seoul attendees didn't get to see live.) I feel so proud of every single member of BTS, and I'm not even their parent.