The worlds of K-pop’s most celebrated boy band, BTS, and girl group, BLACKPINK, intertwined over the weekend when j-hope of BTS attended the second night of BLACKPINK’s long-awaited DEADLINE World Tour on July 6 at Goyang Stadium in South Korea.
Captured in a video by Billboard Korea, j-hope was seen being escorted to his seat as he arrived at the stadium, where BLACKPINK members ROSÉ, LISA, JENNIE, and JISOO performed their opening concerts in two years. The atmosphere was electric, with fans cheering and filming as j-hope, dressed stylishly in an open button-down shirt and sunglasses, made his way through the crowd. Another clip showcased him enjoying the performance, adding his own dance moves to the music playing in the stands.
BLACKPINK’s performances signified a remarkable return from their two-year hiatus, after which the members had pursued solo endeavors. During the concerts, they featured a mix of individual songs alongside group performances. The lively reunion is reminiscent of BTS, which is also preparing for a comeback, expected to occur in 2026 as its members finish their military service.
In a recent announcement, BTS shared plans for an album release slated for spring next year. “Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music … We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you’re as excited as we are,” the group stated.
The last BTS album was released in 2020, with their project *Be* hitting the top of the Billboard 200 charts that December. During their break, each member, including j-hope, explored solo projects. Most recently, j-hope released singles such as “Mona Lisa” and “Killin’ It Girl,” featuring GloRilla, earlier this year.
Reflecting on BTS’s future, j-hope remarked on Weverse Magazine that the group’s reunion is poised to have a substantial impact. “When we’re all back together, it’s going to have a huge impact, and everybody’s going to be watching,” he stated, expressing his enthusiasm for their joint return and performance.
This convergence of K-pop titans resonates positively within the fandom, hinting at an exciting future for both BLACKPINK and BTS. With both groups actively engaging their fans through music and performances, the anticipation for their future projects signals a vibrant phase in the K-pop scene.