Hope World

Last updated

Hope World
Hope World Cover.jpg
Mixtape by
ReleasedMarch 2, 2018 (2018-03-02)
Recorded2015-2018 [1]
Studio Big Hit (Seoul)
Genre
Length20:20
LanguageKorean
Label Big Hit
Producer
  • Pdogg ( exec. )
  • J-Hope (exec.)
  • Supreme Boi (co.)
  • Dockskim (co.)
  • Hiss Noise (co.)
  • Adora (co.)
J-Hope chronology
Hope World
(2018)
Jack in the Box
(2022)
Singles from Hope World
  1. "Daydream"
    Released: March 2, 2018 (2018-03-02)
  2. "Airplane"
    Released: March 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)

Hope World is the debut mixtape of South Korean rapper J-Hope of BTS. It was released on March 2, 2018 through label Big Hit Entertainment, along with the lead single "Daydream". A second single titled "Airplane" was released a week later. The album's peak at 38 on the Billboard 200 caused J-Hope to become the highest charting Korean soloist at the time of release.

Contents

Background and release

J-Hope pictured with fellow BTS rappers RM (middle) and Suga (right) in September 2014. He cites the two as reasons why he enjoys music. BTS at a fansigning in Jongro, 7 September 2014 (cropped).jpg
J-Hope pictured with fellow BTS rappers RM (middle) and Suga (right) in September 2014. He cites the two as reasons why he enjoys music.

Prior to launching his rap career, J-Hope was a member of the underground dance team Neuron, [2] [3] and was subsequently well-known as a competitive street dancer. [4] This eventually led him to audition as a k-pop idol trainee, where he was discovered by Big Hit Entertainment CEO Bang Si-hyuk. [5] J-Hope trained under Big Hit Entertainment for three years alongside members RM and Suga before making his debut as a member of BTS in 2013. [6] Joining BTS as a dancer with no prior rap or music production experience, [7] J-Hope initially did not care for music and found his eventual interest in songwriting and production surprising. He cited his experience coming to Big Hit as an idol trainee as a major cause behind his eventual interest. In a broadcast for Naver's V Live, he explained that "I came to Seoul [as a dancer] and met many friends who could rap, like RM, Suga, and [Big Hit Entertainment producer] Supreme Boi, and learned so much from those friends... I think that's how I learned to really love music". [1] Largely due to this inexperience, J-Hope felt that, since BTS' debut, he had been nervous about sharing his music publicly. The release of Hope World, however, felt like a "new beginning". [8] [1]

The first mention of a potential mixtape by J-Hope came in a concept book paired with the BTS album Wings , released on October 16, 2016. In an interview portion of the booklet, he was asked if he had any intention of releasing his own mixtape as the other rappers in BTS had done prior. He stated that he was "thinking about it". [9] J-Hope later cited this interest in his solo work, as well as general praise for music he produced, as a major motivation for the creation of Hope World, labeling it "stimulating". [1] The mixtape is intended to serve as an introduction to the rapper, and his musical style, as well as a culmination of his musical skills up to the point of release. On a personal level, he intended it to express the candid emotions he felt during his time as a producer: [8]

The reason I made the mixtape was because it was kind of like a dream for me... to make and play a song that I made about myself. I wanted to play it for many people. And for the longest time, I worked on it and invested in that dream, and I studied a lot and wrote songs, researched to make it happen so I could figure out a way that many fans and the public who don't know about J-Hope can all enjoy my music. So first and foremost the reason why I made [Hope World] was because I wanted it so badly. [1]

In 2017, J-Hope revealed that the mixtape had begun production, and that he planned to release it only when he felt it was ready. [10] On January 3, 2018, RM mentioned the mixtape in a broadcast for V Live, mentioning that J-Hope had been working on its production, stating that he was "really surprised" by its quality and told fans to look forward to it. [11] In February, J-Hope teased the mixtape in post directed to fans on BTS' Daum portal, writing that "[the mixtape] is soon. Real soon". [10] Following this, he hosted his own V Live broadcast on February 18, reaffirming that the mixtape would be released "soon", but no date was given. [12] Later, on February 28, J-Hope posted various clips of him working on the mixtape to the BTS Twitter page with the text "Hope World". The mixtape's release date was eventually announced through Big Hit Entertainment on February 23. [13] After the announcement, J-Hope posted teaser videos of the mixtape's production. [14]

On February 23, 2018, Big Hit Entertainment announced the release of J-Hope's debut mixtape set for March 2 via a press release. [15] On March 2, 2018, Hope World was released for digital purchase and streaming and for free via links on BTS' Twitter in conjunction with a music video for "Daydream". [16] J-Hope released a follow-up music video for "Airplane" on March 7. [17] Aside from interviewing for Time, J-Hope did not further promote the mixtape. [5]

For Hope World's three-year anniversary, J-Hope released a full, three-minute long version of its closing track "Blue Side (Outro)" on March 1, 2021—it was uploaded to the BTS Soundcloud page for free. [18]

Development and music

Inspired by Jules Verne's 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea which captivated J-Hope as a child, [5] the groovy track "Hope World" opened the mixtape with the sound of someone submerging, [16] [19] serving as "an introduction to people who are brand new to [him] with [him] as Captain Nemo showing [listeners] around just as the submarine in the book cruised around the world's oceans." [5] The following track "P.O.P (Piece of Peace) Pt. 1" embodied J-Hope's name and wish to "become...hope for someone in the world — not even some grandiose peace but just a small shard of it." [19] [5] In the 90s-vibing "Daydream" with its lazy vocals and bouncing bass line, [16] J-Hope desired to emphasize "the ordinary guy named Jung Ho-seok" behind J-Hope's public persona and used the track as "an outlet to talk about the desires and wishes that every person in the world has but [he has] to hold down and cover up." [5] Flexing over scratch sounds in the trap "Base Line", [16] J-Hope revealed how he started in music and his gratitude for his life and work, [5] leading into the track "Hangsang" where he playfully flaunted his success and his camaraderie with his bandmates. [19] Inspired by an airplane flight in first-class where "it dawned on [him] that [he] was...in the seat and living the glorious life [he'd] only dreamed about when [he] was young, and had somehow gotten used to now", [5] J-Hope reflected on his success in the track "Airplane" before closing the mixtape with the atmospheric, melancholic track "Blue Side (Outro)". [16]

Critical reception

Kim Do-heon of IZM rated the mixtape 2.5 out of 5 stars. He wrote that it shows J-hope's potential rather than his full capacity as an artist. [20]

Ru Bhat of Rolling Stone India wrote that the mixtape "brings healing from within and helps us have faith in our own decisions about our future." [21]

Commercial performance

On the week ending March 1, Hope World debuted at number sixty-three on the Billboard 200 with 9,000 equivalent album sales from less than one day of sales. [22] It reached its highest sales week on the week ending March 8, 2018 with 12,000 equivalent album sales, making J-Hope the highest-charting Korean solo act on the chart at the time at number 38. [23] Three mixtape tracks, "Daydream", "Hope World", and "Hangsang", charted on the World Digital Songs Chart, at number 3, 16, and 24 respectively. The following week, the tracks rose to number 1, 6, and 11, with three additional tracks off of Hope World, "Airplane", "Base Line", and "P.O.P (Piece of Peace) pt. 1" arriving on the chart at number 5, 6, and 12, respectively. "Daydream" made J-Hope one of only ten Korean groups, including his band BTS, to reach number one on the World Digital Songs Chart. [24] The success of his solo debut led J-Hope to rank at number 3 on the Emerging Artists Chart, and 97 on the Artist 100 Chart for the week of March 10, later peaking at number 91 for the week of March 17. He was the fifth Korean artist, and the second Korean soloist after Psy, to place on the Artist 100. [22] [25] The mixtape charted in ten countries worldwide, with "Daydream" charting in three.

Track listing

Credits adapted from the digital booklet released by Big Hit Entertainment. [26] Additional citations from SoundCloud. [27]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hope World"
Docskim3:24
2."P.O.P (Piece of Peace), Pt. 1"
  • J-Hope
  • Pdogg
3:01
3."Daydream" (백일몽; Baegilmong)
  • Pdogg
  • J-Hope
Pdogg3:48
4."Base Line"
  • J-Hope
  • Supreme Boi
  • J-Hope
  • Supreme Boi
1:29
5."Hangsang" (항상; featuring Supreme Boi)
  • Supreme Boi
  • J-Hope
Supreme Boi3:49
6."Airplane"
  • J-Hope
  • Supreme Boi
  • J-Hope
  • Supreme Boi
3:17
7."Blue Side (Outro)"
  • Hiss Noise
  • Adora
1:30
Total length:20:20

Personnel

Credits adapted from the digital credits released by Big Hit Entertainment; [26] additional citations from SoundCloud. [27]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [28] 13
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [29] 25
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [30] 35
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [31] 34
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [32] 20
French Albums (SNEP) [33] 160
Japan Hot Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [34] 13
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [35] 23
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [36] 14
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [37] 62
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [38] 30
US Billboard 200 [39] 38
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard) [40] 19
US World Albums (Billboard) [41] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)Position
US World Albums (Billboard) [42] 5

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
VariousMarch 2, 2018 Big Hit

Related Research Articles

Raynford Avery Humphrey, better known by his stage name Preme, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was formerly signed to The Blueprint Group (BPG) and RCA Records. He is currently signed to Empire Distribution, in conjunction with his own record label Reps Ups Entertainment, which is also in a joint-venture record deal with Columbia Records and a joint-venture publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

<i>Skool Luv Affair</i> 2014 EP by BTS

Skool Luv Affair is the second extended play by South Korean boy band BTS. The ten-track album was released by Big Hit Entertainment on February 12, 2014, with "Boy in Luv" as its lead single. Two music videos, including a choreography only version, accompanied the single's release. A second single, "Just One Day", was promoted in April. Four different music videos were subsequently released in support of the song.

<i>Dark & Wild</i> 2014 studio album by BTS

Dark & Wild is the debut studio album of South Korean boy band BTS. It was released by Big Hit Entertainment on August 20, 2014. The album contains fourteen tracks, with "Danger" as its lead single. The third track on the album, "War of Hormone", was later promoted as a secondary single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RM (musician)</span> South Korean rapper (born 1994)

Kim Nam-joon, known professionally as RM, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is the leader of South Korean boy band BTS.

<i>RM</i> (mixtape) 2015 mixtape by RM

RM is the debut mixtape by South Korean rapper RM of BTS. It was released on March 20, 2015, by Big Hit Entertainment on SoundCloud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suga</span> South Korean rapper (born 1993)

Min Yoon-gi, known professionally by his stage names Suga and Agust D, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and record producer. Under Big Hit Entertainment, he debuted as a member of the South Korean boy band BTS in 2013. His first solo mixtape, Agust D, was released in 2016 and re-released in 2018 to digital download and streaming platforms, reaching number three on Billboard's World Albums Chart. In 2020, he released his second solo mixtape, D-2; it peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, number seven on the UK Albums Chart, and number two on Australia's ARIA Album Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J-Hope</span> South Korean rapper (born 1994)

Jung Ho-seok , better known by his stage name J-Hope, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He made his debut as a member of South Korean boy band BTS in 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment.

<i>Love Yourself: Answer</i> Compilation album by South Korean boy group BTS

Love Yourself: Answer is the third Korean-language compilation album by South Korean boy band BTS. The album was released on August 24, 2018, by Big Hit Entertainment and is available in four different versions: S, E, L, and F. The album contains twenty-five tracks, including seven new songs, with the track "Idol" serving as the lead single. Most tracks are from Love Yourself: Her and Love Yourself: Tear, including some remixes. The album debuted at number one in South Korea, Canada, Japan, and the United States, becoming BTS' second chart-topping album in the US market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airplane Pt. 2</span> Song by South Korean band BTS

"Airplane Pt. 2" is a song recorded by South Korean boy group BTS, released as a B track on the album Love Yourself: Tear. On November 7, 2018, the Japanese version of the song was released through Def Jam as their ninth Japanese single.

<i>Mono</i> (mixtape) 2018 playlist by RM

Mono is the second mixtape by South Korean rapper RM. It was released on October 23, 2018, through Big Hit Entertainment. It features seven tracks and was accompanied by an animated music video for the final track, "Forever Rain". RM has called Mono a playlist, while other publications have referred to it as a mixtape. It features songs sung and rapped in both Korean and English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RM discography</span>

South Korean rapper RM has released one studio album, two mixtapes, and 19 singles. He has recorded with a variety of artists throughout his career including Warren G, MFBTY, Primary, Wale, Fall Out Boy, Tiger JK, Honne, Lil Nas X, Younha, Erykah Badu, and Anderson .Paak.

<i>Map of the Soul: Persona</i> 2019 EP by BTS

Map of the Soul: Persona is the sixth extended play by South Korean boy band BTS. It was released on April 12, 2019, via Big Hit Entertainment with "Boy with Luv" as its lead single. It is the follow-up to their 2018 albums Love Yourself: Tear and Love Yourself: Answer, and preceded the band's Love Yourself: Speak Yourself world tour. American singer Lauv appeared on a version of the track "Make It Right" that was released on October 18, 2019, as the album's second single.

<i>BTS World: Original Soundtrack</i> 2019 mobile game soundtrack album by various artists

BTS World: Original Soundtrack is the soundtrack album for the Netmarble mobile game of the same name. Released on June 28, 2019, two days after the mobile game's release, the album features four singles by South Korean boy band BTS and instrumentals from the game. Its release was preceded by the singles "Dream Glow", "A Brand New Day" and "All Night". On June 26, the song "Heartbeat" was revealed in the game after its release. The album debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart and their first #1 in Spain. Also, it became the first K-pop soundtrack to debut on the Billboard Top Soundtracks chart.

<i>Agust D</i> 2016 mixtape by Agust D

Agust D is the debut mixtape by the South Korean rapper of the same name, better known as Suga of BTS. It was released on August 15, 2016 by Big Hit Entertainment on SoundCloud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicken Noodle Soup (J-Hope song)</span> 2019 single by J-Hope featuring Becky G

"Chicken Noodle Soup" is a song by South Korean rapper J-Hope of BTS featuring American singer Becky G. It was released through Big Hit Entertainment on September 27, 2019. The song samples DJ Webstar and rapper Young B's song of the same name, featuring the Voice of Harlem from Webstar's 2006 album Webstar Presents: Caught in the Web.

<i>D-2</i> (mixtape) 2020 mixtape by Agust D

D-2 is the second mixtape released by South Korean rapper Agust D, better known as Suga of BTS, following his eponymous debut mixtape released in 2016. The mixtape was released on May 22, 2020, through Big Hit Entertainment, along with the lead single "Daechwita" (Korean: 대취타). The mixtape consists of ten tracks, with songs sung and rapped in both Korean and English. Its lyrics share the rapper's viewpoint of the contemporary world.

<i>Jack in the Box</i> (album) 2022 studio album by J-Hope

Jack in the Box is the debut studio album of South Korean rapper J-Hope of BTS, released on July 15, 2022, through Big Hit Music. It contains 10 tracks, including the lead single, "More", which preceded it on July 1, and the follow-up single, "Arson", which was released the same day as the album, together with an accompanying music video. A concept album revolving around the story of Pandora's box, Jack in the Box discusses themes of passion, ambition, humanity, insecurity, success, and anxiety about the future. Primarily an old-school hip hop-influenced record, the album features a blend of genres, including pop, grunge, and R&B.

<i>D-Day</i> (album) 2023 studio album by Agust D

D-Day is the debut studio album by South Korean rapper Agust D, better known as Suga of BTS. It was released on April 21, 2023, through Big Hit Music, as the third installment in a trilogy of works that includes the mixtapes Agust D (2016) and D-2 (2020). Comprising 10 tracks, the album features appearances by BTS bandmate J-Hope, IU, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Woosung of the Rose. Two singles were released in promotion of the project: "People Pt. 2" featuring IU on April 7, and "Haegeum", which premiered alongside the album. Music videos accompanied both singles, with a third released for the track "Amygdala" on April 24.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 j-hope Mixtape <Hope World> Behind (in Korean). V Live: Naver. March 1, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  2. [spotlight] 방탄소년단│② 랩몬스터, 슈가, 제이홉's story – ize. ize.co.kr (in Korean). July 18, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  3. 승리가 '방탄소년단' 제이홉 얘기 듣고 놀란 이유 (ft.광주). Dispatch (in Korean). December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  4. Herman, Tamar (June 20, 2017). "Get To Know BTS: J-Hope". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bruner, Raisa (March 2, 2018). "j-hope of K-Pop Sensation BTS Has His Own Story to Tell on New Solo Mixtape". Time . Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  6. Bennett, Colette (May 12, 2016). "How BTS is changing K-pop for the better". dailydot. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  7. Herman, Tamar (June 30, 2017). "Get To Know BTS: J-Hope". Billboard . Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Choi, Min-jee (March 2, 2018). "[SS이슈] 'Hope World', 제이홉 믹스테이프 그 이상의 의미". Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  9. Wings: Concept Book (in Korean). Big Hit Entertainment. 2016.
  10. 1 2 Peters, Megan (January 9, 2018). "BTS' J-Hope Teases When His Mixtape Will Drop". Comicbook. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  11. RM's Hello 2018! (in Korean). V Live: Naver. 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  12. Chua, Dennis (February 19, 2018). "(Showbiz) BTS's J-Hope thanks fans for birthday wishes and gives update on mixtape". New Straits Times . Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  13. Martin, Annie (February 23, 2018). "BTS rapper J-Hope to release mixtape in March". UPI . Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  14. Herman, Tamar (February 23, 2018). "BTS' J-Hope Reveals Mixtape Release Date". Billboard . Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  15. Woo, Jae-yeon (February 23, 2018). "BTS' rapper J-Hope to release mixtape next month". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Herman, Tamar (March 1, 2018). "BTS' J-Hope Delivers 'Daydream' Video From 'Hope World' Mixtape". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  17. "[e영상] 방탄소년단 제이홉, 'Airplane' MV 공개..美 빌보드 한국 솔로가수 최고 순위". eNews24 (in Korean). March 7, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  18. Mamo, Heran (March 1, 2021). "BTS' J-Hope Releases Full Version of 'Blue Side' on the Anniversary of 'Hope World'". Billboard . Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 Kim, Youngdae (2019). "Review 12". BTS - The Review: A Comprehensive Look at the Music of BTS. RH Korea. ISBN   9788925565828.
  20. Kim, Do-heon (March 2018). "Hope World". IZM (in Korean).
  21. Bhat, Ru (March 2, 2021). "'Hope World': A Kaleidoscope of Wonder". Rolling Stone India.
  22. 1 2 Benjamin, Jeff (March 5, 2018). "BTS' J-Hope Enters the Billboard 200, Earns highest entry for a K-Pop Solo Act". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  23. Benjamin, Jeff (March 14, 2018). "J-Hope Rises on Billboard 200, Tops World Digital Song Sales in Second Week of 'Hope World'". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  24. Benjamin, Jeff (March 14, 2018). "J-Hope Rises on Billboard 200, Tops World Digital Song Sales in Second Week of 'Hope World'". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  25. J-Hope Billboard charts:
  26. 1 2 Hope World (Digital booklet). J-Hope. South Korea: Big Hit Entertainment. 2018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. 1 2 "j-hope - Hope World by BTS on SoundCloud". SoundCloud . March 2, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  28. "Australiancharts.com – J-Hope – Hope World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  29. "Austriancharts.at – J-Hope – Hope World" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  30. "Billboard Canadian Albums". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  31. "Dutchcharts.nl – J-Hope – Hope World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  32. "J-Hope: Hope World" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  33. "Lescharts.com – J-Hope – Hope World". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  34. "Hot Albums". Billboard Japan . Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  35. "Charts.nz – J-Hope – Hope World". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  36. "Norwegiancharts.com – J-Hope – Hope World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  37. "Spanishcharts.com – J-Hope – Hope World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  38. "Swedishcharts.com – J-Hope – Hope World". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  39. "Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  40. "Billboard Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  41. "Billboard World Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  42. "Year-End Charts: Top World Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2019.