j-hope of BTS Shares Heartfelt Tribute to Late Grandmother During Tokyo Concert

During a concert at the Tokyo Dome on April 17, 2023, j-hope, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, shared the news of his grandmother's passing with the audience. He expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “Honestly, this might be a bit of a heavy thing to share, but I really wanted to express how I’m feeling today.” He revealed that he received the news shortly after arriving in Japan, describing his initial feelings of shock and uncertainty.

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j-hope highlighted the significant role his grandmother played in his life, noting that she raised him and was immensely proud of his achievements with BTS. He reflected on her pride not only in him but also in his fellow band members, saying, “She thought what we did was truly incredible.” He expressed a belief that she would have enjoyed the concert, stating, “I’d like to think that if she was watching from up above today, she would have absolutely loved every moment of it.”

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In his moment of grief, j-hope found solace in the company of his bandmates and the supportive atmosphere created by the fans. He mentioned that sharing a meal with the members and focusing on rehearsals helped him cope with his loss. He concluded his heartfelt message by thanking the audience for making the concert special, despite the circumstances.

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The concert in Tokyo was part of BTS's ongoing tour in support of their album "ARIRANG," which has recently achieved its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Following the Tokyo shows, BTS is scheduled to continue their tour across North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and other parts of Asia, concluding in March 2024.

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BTS has not released an official statement regarding j-hope's grandmother's passing, but the emotional tribute during the concert has resonated with fans worldwide, showcasing the close-knit relationship between the artist and his family.

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While the concert was a moment of shared grief and celebration, some fans expressed concern over the emotional toll such performances may take on artists dealing with personal loss. Discussions on social media highlighted the pressures faced by performers to maintain their public personas amidst personal tragedies.

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• “Honestly, this might be a bit of a heavy thing to share, but I really wanted to express how I’m feeling today,” — j-hope, BTS

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• “My grandmother was always so proud — not just of me, but of all the members.” — j-hope, BTS

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• “My grandmother was always so proud — not just of me, but of all the members. She thought what we did was truly incredible. So I’d like to think that if she was watching from up above today, she would have absolutely loved every moment of it.” — j-hope, BTS

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This concert marked a poignant moment for j-hope and the BTS community, reflecting the intersection of personal loss and public performance.

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