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BTS’ j-hope Lights Up Manila with His Hope on the Stage World Tour
The long wait was finally over on April 13, 2025, when BTS’ j-hope brought his highly anticipated Hope on the Stage World Tour to Manila, Philippines. As one of the most dynamic performers from BTS, j-hope proved once again why he is considered an A+ all-around artist.
j-hope’s First Southeast Asian Stop: Hope on the Stage in Manila
The Philippines marked the first Southeast Asian destination for j-hope’s Hope on the Stage World Tour. After his three-night concert kickoff in Seoul on February 28, 2025, and completing a successful North American tour with Los Angeles as the final U.S. stop, Manila was buzzing with excitement.
It had been eight years since j-hope last performed in Manila with BTS during their 2017 Wings Tour at SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. Now, at the same iconic venue, j-hope made history again with his two-day sold-out solo concert. The show was produced by Live Nation PH.
Music magazine NME praised his Seoul performance with a perfect rating, calling it a show that “allowed him to burn more powerfully than ever.” That same fiery energy was on full display in Manila.
Blazing Performance at SM Mall of Asia Arena
As an ARMY, I had dreamt of seeing BTS live. Although my first live BTS-related experience was Min Yoongi (SUGA/Agust D)’s D-Day Tour in Singapore, seeing j-hope live in Manila was on a whole new level.
Opening with “What If…” from his Jack in the Box album, j-hope immediately set the tone with powerful choreography and unmatched charisma, dressed in a stunning red outfit designed by Korean designer Juntae Kim.
The energy soared as he transitioned into tracks from his Hope on the Street Vol.1 album, performing hits like “On the Street” and “Lock/Unlock,” produced by Benny Blanco and featuring the legendary Nile Rodgers Jr.
As BTS’ lead dancer, j-hope showcased his full talents during Hope on the Stage in Manila, making it a truly unforgettable performance.
j-hope Sings BTS Songs and Speaks Tagalog for Filo ARMYs
While fans were thrilled with j-hope’s solo songs like “Sweet Dreams” and “Mona Lisa,” the entire arena erupted when he performed beloved BTS tracks such as “Airplane pt.2,” “Mic Drop,” and “Baepsae.”
He also delighted the audience with his solo performances of BTS songs like “Trivia: Just Dance” and “Outro: Ego.”
Adding to the magic of the night, j-hope spoke several Tagalog phrases to connect with the Filipino ARMYs, saying:
- “Magingay!” (Make some noise!)
- “Kamusta kayo, tonight?” (How are you all, tonight?)
- “Mahal ko kayo.” (I love you.)
- “Ready na ba kayo?” (Are you ready?)
- “Walang uuwi!” (No one goes home!)
His efforts to speak Tagalog made the night even more special for the fans.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience for Filo ARMYs
Getting a ticket for j-hope’s Hope on the Stage in Manila was no easy feat. Thanks to a generous reseller who sold me a ticket at face value, I was lucky enough to experience this incredible show.
It was clear throughout the concert that j-hope poured his heart into every detail of this tour. Seeing the overwhelming love from Filipino ARMYs, hearing the chants of “j-hope!” fill the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and witnessing his growth as an artist made it a night that none of us will ever forget. Hope on the Stage in Manila wasn’t just a concert — it was a celebration of how far j-hope has come, and a reminder of how much love he inspires across the world.
Denise J. Mallabo 