You know you’re a huge pop star when the mere mention of your name or a brief cameo during the host’s monologue sends the studio audience into a frenzy. BTS’ j-hope knows this feeling well.
The singer had fans, known as ARMY, in a frenzy early on Monday night during his appearance on “The Tonight Show” when he made a surprise appearance during Jimmy Fallon’s monologue. The bit poked fun at Fallon’s dance moves. “I wish I could dance even a tenth as well as he can,” Fallon said, comparing his skills to those of his guest. Roots drummer Questlove assured Jimmy that he indeed had smooth moves. As Jimmy attempted some dad-style choreography to massive screams, a smiling j-hope took the stage to show him how it’s done, leaving Fallon to humorously claim, “You love my dancing!”
Later, j-hope returned for a sit-down chat, beginning with his favorite activities when visiting the U.S. Fallon noted that the K-pop superstar recently made his first visit to In-N-Out Burger and asked how it went. Switching from Korean to English, j-hope described ordering a cheeseburger, animal-style, a vanilla milkshake, and fries. “It was good… very salty and cheesy and sweet… but not healthy,” he said with a smile.
After Fallon shared a recent Instagram post of j-hope showcasing his Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” shuffle dance, the singer confirmed that he’s never met Lamar but is open to a collaboration. “I’m ready to work with you, Kendrick,” he said, drawing cheers from the studio audience as he performed the signature dance from Lamar’s single.
In addition to discussing his early days in the underground dance crew Neuron, which was inspired by the rap duo Kriss Kross, j-hope shared that, like Justin Timberlake, he can’t help but dance to his own songs in the studio. “Whenever I listen to music, something comes up in my mind,” he said. “And I think of how I want to express that on stage.”
The singer closed the show with a performance of his new solo single, “Sweet Dreams,” featuring Miguel. Standing on a platform on a fog-shrouded set, j-hope harmonized with the soul singer on the song’s love-filled chorus during his first-ever solo spot on the show. He then delivered his melodic rap on the verse while rocking the stage in baggy jeans and fuzzy bunny slippers.