When it comes to BTS, we figured that we would keep the introduction brief so that we can get to the meat of the interview. Conducted on 21 March, right after BTS’ comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, the singer and rapper, J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok), sat with us about the band’s latest album, ARIRANG; his writing process, and his ambassadorship with Louis Vuitton.

ESQUIRE: Included on the album ARIRANG is “Arirang”, a folk song that feels deeply familiar to Koreans. It is also a song with emotions that are so layered and complex that they’re almost impossible to fully translate. What made you choose this song? 

J-HOPE: You’re right, “Arirang” is a folk song that feels deeply ingrained in our hearts, something that’s incredibly familiar and close to us. If you ask why we (BTS) chose it… I guess it’s simply because we are Korean. 

We felt it could serve as a core that reflects the roots shared by all seven members. And since it is a folk song that has been remembered and sung for generations, we also wanted to express the hope that BTS’ music, too, could represent its era and remain something precious in people’s hearts for a long time.

ESQ: ARIRANG is a 14-track full-length album that symbolises resilience and longing. After listening to it, it felt like the album explores themes of identity and belonging while also clearly expressing each member’s individual direction. J-Hope, you’re credited on so many tracks—which song do you think best represents BTS? 

JH: Since this is our first full-length album in a long while, every single track feels incredibly meaningful to us. But if I had to choose the song that best represents the identity of this album, I think it would be the title track, “SWIM”. It captures our attitude toward life and the love we carry as we live in the present moment, so I think that is a song that holds the sincerity of who BTS is now, while also giving people something to look forward to from the group in the future.

ESQ: I’m also curious about how you worked on the songs. Apart from the title track, is there a particular song you feel especially attached to? 

JH: After finishing performing at Lollapalooza in Germany, I joined the LA sessions about a week later. At the time, Jung Kook was working on a song called “Hooligan”. I worked with him on the structure he had already laid out, and we discussed whether the track suited our team and what direction it should take. 

I participated more extensively in the sessions for songs called “2.0” and ”Aliens”. I stayed involved throughout the later topline-writing stages as well. “2.0” was actually a song I first suggested to the producer when we were in the theme developing stage, because I felt it contained something essential for BTS’ next chapter. Looking back, I think I naturally gravitated toward songs that could really come alive through performance, since that’s the role I tend to play within the team.

ESQ: Just like how meeting J. Cole at Lollapalooza led to the creation of “On the Street”, was there a similarly fateful encounter or coincidence during the making of ARIRANG? 

JH: I met such a wide range of producers this time around, and I learnt so much from all of them. In particular, I really connected with El Guincho, the producer behind “Hooligan”. If the opportunity comes around, I’d love to work with him again. 

“Since this is our first full-length album in a long while, every single track feels incredibly meaningful to us."

ESQ: The moment during the comeback performance when you stepped forward and shouted, “It’s so tight,” after the first verse of “Body to Body” was incredibly cool. 

JH: “Body to Body” is actually one of my favourite songs on the album, and I loved how that moment heightened the tension in line with the lyrics.

ESQ: This is BTS’ first comeback in three years and nine months. I imagine there must have been countless emotions exchanged throughout the process of the seven of you coming together again to make music.

JH: Now, more than anything, I just feel grateful that the seven of us are together again. This moment can only exist because all of our hearts were aligned. I think the most emotional moment was right before we stepped onto the stage at Gwanghwamun. It was the very first moment the seven of us became one again.

ESQ: This tour is set to include 82 performances across 34 countries and cities. It’s a massive tour that will go down in music history. Is there a moment you’re especially looking forward to, or perhaps a part of the schedule that feels especially daunting?

JH: I think there will definitely be important moments during this tour that we, as a team, absolutely have to deliver. So I do feel a certain pressure and sense of responsibility about how well we can carry that momentum and communicate it to the audience.

Since it’s a stadium tour, things like the weather can also be pretty intimidating variables. But even so, I want us to overcome all of those challenges and create truly great performances together. We’ll have to overcome it well.

ESQ: Meanwhile, the performance at Gwanghwamun Square was directed by Hamish Hamilton, who is known for directing the Super Bowl halftime show and the Oscars. He described this production as one of the “most challenging” projects due to its “pure logistical complexity.” What was the most memorable part of the stage preparation process for you?

JH: I felt there were so many things that needed careful attention—not just the artist’s presence, the cultural significance, and the showmanship itself, but also the sense of order and structure that such a performance required. I could really feel how thoughtful Director Hamilton was as he considered all of those aspects.

More than anything, I’m deeply grateful that the entire schedule was completed safely and without any incidents. If the opportunity comes again, I’d love to create something incredible together with him once more.

“I’ve always believed that fashion is closely connected to music. The same goes for performance. Depending on what you wear, the atmosphere and the message you can convey can change completely, so it’s something I’ve always considered important. In that same line of thought, I really want to show many different sides of myself through this concert as well.” 

ESQ: By the time this interview is published, the Netflix documentary, BTS: The Return, will be out. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m guessing it follows the seven of you reconnecting again after you guys’ military discharge to the LA recording sessions. Still, I’m even more curious about what happened when the cameras weren’t rolling. 

JH: We went out to eat good food and went shopping together a lot, too. It might sound funny, but we even bought computers and played games together. Honestly, our lives weren’t that different from what you’d expect when seven close guy friends are hanging out together.

ESQ: It’s been quite some time since your first photoshoot as a Louis Vuitton ambassador. As an artist standing at the intersection of fashion and art, how do you think that experience has influenced your music or performances?

JH: I’ve always believed that fashion is closely connected to music. The same goes for performance. Depending on what you wear, the atmosphere and the message you can convey can change completely, so it’s something I’ve always considered important. In that same line of thought, I really want to show many different sides of myself through this concert as well.

Photography: Jang Dukhwa
Fashion Editor: Cha Jonghyun
Styling: Kim Young-Jin
Hair: Park Nae-ju
Makeup: Lee Shin-ae
Set Stylist: Kim So-jung
Art Designer: Kim Dae-seop
Assistants: Lee Won-kyung and Kim Ji-ho
Translation: Jin Serin