Program Note
The most successful boy band in the global music industry and a superstar with the most fervent fanbase was consistently the center of attention. The documentary j-hope IN THE BOX captures the journey of j-hope, from the making of his debut solo album, “Jack in the Box” which marked his first foray into solo activities among the BTS members, to his preparation for headlining the renowned music festival, “Lollapalooza”. Starting with the captivating image of j-hope rising from below the stage, the film unveils j-hope’s hidden longings and concerns, as well as his visions and passion for music, which he had kept hidden within his own box with an intimate perspective, employing a friendly camera approach and suspenseful storytelling using a D-Day structure. The movie highlights his remarkable transformation from a dance lover to the main dancer and rapper in BTS, culminating in the awe-inspiring achievement of becoming the headline act on the main stage of “Lollapalooza”, a first for a Korean musician. It serves as a representation of BTS’s decade-long journey. With “MORE” framing the start and conclusion of the performance and film, it leaves anticipation for what lies in the next box, as j-hope’s first journey reaches its conclusion. (MO Eun-young)