J-Hope Opens Up About BTS' Difficult Times In 2018 And How The Band Managed To Overcome

BTS rapper J-Hope, recently, opened up about the phase when the band members faced difficult time. The Bangtan Boys, also comprising Namjoon, Jin, Suga, Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook went "through a bit of a slump" in 2018. 

J-Hope on BTS' difficult times in 2018

J-Hope, on the YouTube variety show Pinggyego, hosted by Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho, revealed that seven years ago matters got “scary”, and “overwhelming”.

As translated by allkpop, J-Hope said, "Around 2018, BTS was receiving so much love that I started wondering if we truly deserved all that attention. People’s eyes on us became a little scary. Normally, getting a reaction is something to be grateful for, but it started feeling overwhelming. Even the members went through a bit of a slump."

How BTS overcame the tough times

The 31-year-old singer also said that the band managed to sail through the hard times together. He shared they overcame the phase by "reminding ourselves of our message—Love Yourself". He further said that the "idea wasn’t just for others; it applied to us too. And as we embraced it, we found real strength". J-Hope also said that penning songs helped them "learn and grow emotionally".

While opening up about BTS' upcoming activities, he said as all the members have completed their military service, they are preparing to resume team activities. "But it’s been such a long time—we haven’t been together as seven in nearly three or four years. I’m constantly thinking about how to best coordinate things with the members as we reunite. It’s been so long, so I want to do it right," he added.

BTS' last studio album was Proof (2022). Post that, they served the mandatory military service. Jin started his military service in December 2022 and completed it in June last year. J-Hope was discharged in October 2024. Namjoon, Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook and Suga were discharged in June this year.