As this year’s Lollapalooza Chicago came to a close on August 3, the energy in the air hadn’t faded. Among the many standout performances from global artists, several Korean acts left a strong impression. Still, the moment that continues to define K-pop’s presence at the festival belongs to BTS’ j-hope.
It’s been three years since j-hope’s 2022 headlining performance at Lollapalooza Chicago. That night wasn’t just about a solo debut, as it marked a turning point for Korean artists in the Western music scene.
A serendipitous spark
In a recent interview, Houston Powell of C3 Presents, the organizers of Lollapalooza, shared how j-hope ended up joining the 2022 lineup.
“In May 2022, one of our headliners, Doja Cat, canceled due to vocal surgery. I was talking with Jared Braverman from Live Nation and Steven Kim in Korea, and they suggested j-hope. I knew a little about BTS but not much about K-pop overall. I was honored he said yes. I just didn’t realize how big that moment would become. That performance was the start of something bigger.”
Making history and headlines
j-hope became the first Korean artist to headline a major U.S. music festival. More than 105,000 fans watched him live in Chicago, and millions more tuned in online through Weverse and Hulu. It wasn’t just a performance, as it was a landmark event.
Korean media took notice. OhmyNews wrote, “Before j-hope’s appearance, Lollapalooza was barely known in Korea. But it’s a huge festival with a long history and hundreds of thousands of attendees.” The Korea Daily added that Lollapalooza used to be considered a “K-pop wasteland” until j-hope changed that.
Global outlets also highlighted the moment. i-D listed j-hope’s Lollapalooza set among the biggest K-pop events of 2022.
Opening doors
j-hope’s show didn’t just spotlight his own talent—it helped shift how Korean artists were viewed at major U.S. festivals. Since then, Lollapalooza Chicago has welcomed more K-pop headliners, including TOMORROW X TOGETHER and TWICE. Each carved their own path, but j-hope helped clear the way.
To this day, j-hope remains the only Korean soloist to headline any Lollapalooza stage worldwide.
A performance that stuck
Critics widely praised the Chicago set. NME gave it 5 out of 5 stars, calling it a moment of “true greatness.” Consequence highlighted the emotional impact, noting how j-hope delivered a piece of himself through that performance. MTV called it a “rite of passage” and one of the best sets the Lollapalooza stage had seen.
Another milestone in Berlin
j-hope was later invited to headline Lollapalooza Chicago again, but scheduling conflicts got in the way. Instead, he headlined Lollapalooza Berlin, making him the first Korean soloist to do so in that city.
His Berlin set wrapped up the Charm of Hope project and included “Sweet Dreams” with Miguel, “MONA LISA,” and “Killin’ It Girl” featuring GloRilla. More than 60,000 fans were there in person, with thousands more watching online. RollingStone Germany called the night “magical.” Bandwagon Asia said j-hope “left no doubt” that he’s a true show-stealer.
Still setting the standard
j-hope continued breaking records in 2025. He became the first Korean soloist to sell out a U.S. stadium concert and landed on the Billboard Midyear Top Tours chart.
What he’s doing now goes beyond personal milestones. It’s part of a larger shift in how Korean music is welcomed and celebrated on global stages.
More than just a debut
Calling j-hope’s Lollapalooza moment a “first” is technically true, but doesn’t fully capture what it meant. That night redefined who gets to stand front and center at some of the world’s biggest festivals. It wasn’t just about him—it was about opening the door wider for those coming next.
Three years later, we’re still seeing the ripple effects. Lineups have changed. Perceptions have shifted. And what j-hope brought to that stage in 2022 continues to influence where the music world is heading.
Watch j-hope’s Lollapalooza performance in Chicago here.
Watch j-hope at Lollapalooza Berlin here.
