Category: K-POP ARTISTS

On October 3, BTS‘ j-hope became the talk of the town when it was revealed that his vibrant personality inspired a main character in the 2019 novel Red, White & Royal Blue. This revelation became even more significant when the novel was adapted into a film, featuring Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry and Taylor Zakhar Perez, best known for The Kissing Booth, as Alex Claremont-Diaz.

Katie Rogers, a book blogger at Pages and Pugs, unveiled this connection in 2019. She had won an annotated copy of Red, White & Royal Blue at a charity auction for RAICES, a cause championed by the author Casey McQuiston. Among the annotations, one on page 31 stood out, where McQuiston listed the inspirations for the character Percy “Pez” Okonjo. The note read, “Inspirations for Pez include John Boyega, Jung Hoseok, Freckle from ‘The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo.’”

In the film, Malcolm Atobrah brings Percy “Pez” Okonjo to life. Pez, with his charisma, fashion sense, and flair reminiscent of j-hope, captivates the audience from his very first scene. His chic outfits and radiant demeanor mirror the style of j-hope, BTS‘ main dancer and sub-rapper. j-hope, celebrated for his charm and talent, was a fitting muse for a character in a novel that transitioned to the silver screen.

Where is j-hope now?

Released last August on Amazon Prime Video, Red, White & Royal Blue tells the fictional love story between Prince Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor and Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the U.S.’s first female president. Directed by Tony-winner Matthew Lopez for Amazon Studios, the film is proof of Lopez’s directorial prowess. (He also co-wrote the screenplay with Ted Malawer.)

While the j-hope connection has intrigued many, Red, White & Royal Blue has also been lauded for its progressive themes and breaking traditional gender boundaries. The novel proudly secured its position as a New York Times Bestseller in 2020. Interestingly, it also references BTS‘ leader, Kim Namjoon, or RM. In a text message on page 210, Alex playfully addresses his sister June using RM’s real name.

In related news, j-hope began his military service on April 18, 2023. He passed basic training with flying colors and is currently serving as an assistant drill instructor. He’ll return to music with his bandmates in 2025. In the meantime, fans can check out his solo album Jack in the Box (Hope Edition). – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: K-pop and literature collided in ‘Red, White & Royal Blue.’ Sources: Instagram/@casey.mcquiston and @uarmyhope.

In an essay penned before his demise, the iconic Japanese art-rock maestro Sakamoto Ryuichi unveiled a private rendezvous with BTS‘ SUGA during the latter’s Tokyo trip. Despite the brevity of their meeting, they shared profound insights that bridged gaps of age, generation, and nationality. “SUGA thinks so much about music that one could think he has no other hobbies,” Sakamoto remarked.

Tragically, in April 2023, Sakamoto succumbed to cancer, leaving behind a legacy of collaborations with artists. Among his final works was a collaboration with SUGA on a track titled “Snooze,” a dramatic rap-rock ballad from SUGA‘s third release under his Agust D persona. This song also features Woosung, the frontman of the South Korean rock band, the Rose.

BTS (방탄소년단) Agust D Ft. Ryuichi Sakamoto & WOOSUNG ‘Snooze’ MV

The allure of BTS

Sakamoto Miu, his daughter, opened up in a recent interview about her father, BTS, and the solace she found in SUGA‘s music. “I got hooked on BTS during the pandemic. Being obsessed with an idol is a first for me. I lived in the U.S. from the age of nine, and my first love was David Sylvian, the vocalist of the British band Japan. I never imagined I’d be squealing over idols in my forties. But many mature women in their forties, fifties, and sixties, not just in Japan but worldwide, are deep into the BTS fandom.”

When asked by interviewer Nakano Nobuko about the allure of BTS, Miu responded, “The entry point might be their faces or their songs. But beyond their music, the messages in their lyrics and their personalities play a significant role. What’s especially noteworthy is the wonderfulness of the fandom. The ARMY invested money, time, and effort to push them to the top. Having observed this industry since I was young, I’m aware that artists and fans are inseparable and mutually dependent. But I’ve never seen such unity, such mutual love between an artist and their fans.”

Reflecting on her father’s collaboration with SUGA, Miu shared, “A few years ago, I lectured him several times saying how SUGA-san started to like his songs since he saw Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and The Last Emperor. Last year, he visited my father and they made a song together called ‘Snooze.’ It was released right after my father passed away. I feel like he’ll carry the spirit of Ryuichi Sakamoto.”

Miu’s work of mourning

She added, “During SUGA-san’s concert, there was a memorial message after the video, before he sang ‘Snooze,’ and seeing that made me feel that my father is still living in the song. I was truly comforted by that. I went to the concert in Japan and Thailand, but if I hadn’t gone through this process, I might still be stuck in deep sadness of losing my father.”

The interviewer then introduced the Freudian concept of “work of mourning.” She described it as a mental process to overcome grief and sorrow. By keeping oneself occupied, individuals can effectively navigate the emotional tumult of bereavement, allowing for a healthier and more adaptive grieving process. Miu responded, “If I think that way, I believe keeping up with SUGA-san’s solo activity was my work of mourning. It was physically hard, but something that was necessary for me.”

Music, as they say, has the power to heal. For Sakamoto Miu, the melodies of BTS and SUGA became her refuge during her darkest hours. Thank God for SUGA! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: SUGA definitely lives up to BigHit Music’s old tagline, ‘Music for healing.’ Source: X/@061313purple.