What’s the Connection Between BTS and ‘Red, White, & Royal Blue’?

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.