j-hope‘s 2022 Lollapalooza Chicago headline still making waves three years later.
The controversy began when Doja Cat canceled last-minute in May 2022 due to vocal surgery. Houston Powell of C3 Presents revealed how j-hope got the call to fill in.
“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.”
— Houston Powell, C3 Presents
j-hope became the first Korean artist to headline a major U.S. music festival. Over 105,000 fans showed up live in Chicago, plus millions watching online via Weverse and Hulu.
Korean and global media took note. OhmyNews said,
“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 called the festival a former “K-pop wasteland” before j-hope changed that perception.
Even i-D listed j-hope’s Lollapalooza set as one of the biggest K-pop moments of 2022.
j-hope’s show wasn’t just a solo highlight—it shifted how K-pop was seen at U.S. festivals. Since then, Lollapalooza Chicago included more K-pop headliners like TOMORROW X TOGETHER and TWICE.
He remains the only Korean soloist to headline any Lollapalooza stage worldwide.
Critics praised j-hope’s 2022 Chicago set. NME gave it 5/5 stars, calling it “true greatness.” Consequence said j-hope gave an emotional, personal performance. MTV called it a “rite of passage” and one of Lollapalooza’s best sets.
j-hope was invited back to Lollapalooza Chicago but couldn’t attend due to scheduling. Instead, he headlined Lollapalooza Berlin, becoming the first Korean soloist to do so in that city.
The Berlin show wrapped up his Charm of Hope project with hits like “Sweet Dreams” featuring Miguel and “Killin’ It Girl” with GloRilla. Over 60,000 fans were there live.
RollingStone Germany called the show “magical.” Bandwagon Asia said j-hope “left no doubt” he’s a genuine show-stealer.
In 2025, j-hope broke more records. He became the first Korean soloist to sell out a U.S. stadium concert and made the Billboard Midyear Top Tours chart.
His impact goes beyond personal wins. It’s changing how Korean music is accepted and celebrated globally.
Three years later, j-hope’s Lollapalooza breakthrough is still shaping the game.
Watch j-hope’s full Lollapalooza Chicago 2022 set here: YouTube Playlist
Watch his Lollapalooza Berlin headline here: YouTube Playlist
