”Comparable to Michael Jackson”... BTS' J-HOPE's dance is praised on Japanese TV show

J-HOPE (BTS) was praised for his dancing skills on a Japanese TV program, becoming a hot topic.

On the 5th, J-HOPE appeared on Nippon Television's THE MUSIC DAY 2025 and performed his solo song 'MONA LISA'. THE MUSIC DAY is a special music program that began in 2013 and is a popular program that is broadcast live for eight hours every summer.

　J-HOPE wore a headset microphone and flawlessly executed the live performance while performing vibrant and intense dance moves. The venue was packed with fans who responded with enthusiastic cheers.

Prior to the performance, during an interview conducted by host Sakurai Sho (a member of Arashi), it was revealed that Japanese BTS fans cite J-HOPE's “world-class dance skills” as the reason they support him.

　Next, dancers appeared on screen, praising J-HOPE. Hibiki, a 17-year-old winner of the 2023 World Dance Championship, and Moé, a 14-year-old, commented on J-HOPE's dancing, saying, “Among BTS members, J-HOPE stands out,” and “His smile is memorable, and his bright presence is reflected in his dancing, making it enjoyable for the audience.”

　Additionally, TAKAHIRO, a renowned Japanese dancer, choreographer, and performance director, commented on J-HOPE, saying, "There is a dance term called ‘picture,’ which refers to 'suddenly stopping and leaving a symbolic pose imprinted in the mind.' J-HOPE is truly skilled at creating ‘pictures,’ much like Michael Jackson. While frequent stops can sometimes appear unnatural, J-HOPE seamlessly synchronizes his subsequent movements with the music, conveying a sense of rhythm. I deeply respect J-HOPE."

　The broadcast screen featured edited footage of J-HOPE and Michael Jackson's dance scenes.

TAKAHIRO is a visiting professor at Osaka University of Arts, a nine-time consecutive winner of the American variety show contest Showtime At The Apollo, the choreographer for the opening ceremony of the 2007 World Athletics Championships in Osaka, and a former exclusive dancer for Madonna's world tour.

　J-HOPE, touched by TAKAHIRO's praise and respect, said, “I always strive to improve my performance. Thank you for your kind words,” and bowed his head.

Sho Sakurai recently mentioned J-HOPE's successful solo world tour, saying, “It became a major topic of discussion in Japan,” to which J-HOPE responded, “I am honored to be able to do a solo world tour. Having so many fans with me made it even more meaningful. It was the best.”

Over the past four months, J-HOPE sold out 33 solo world tour shows, setting a record by attracting over 520,000 attendees. Notably, as the first Asian solo artist to sell out two consecutive shows at an American stadium, he redefined concert history. His recently released track 'Killin' It Girl' charted on Billboard's main singles chart, the Hot 100, for two consecutive weeks, setting a new record for the most chart entries by a Korean solo artist (eight songs).

　J-HOPE, who has proven himself as a world-class artist both in name and in deed, will perform a 1 hour and 30 minute headlining show at the Lollapalooza Festival in Berlin, Germany, on July 13th at 8:15 PM local time. J-HOPE made history as the first Korean artist to headline a U.S. festival at the Lollapalooza performance held in Chicago, U.S., in 2022.