Photo Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
Not one to play it safe or to even keep things a secret, BTS’s j-hope dropped a surprise to fans during the first night of his North American leg tour HOPE ON THE STAGE last week. Performing two sold-out shows at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, the rapper – to the shock of fans – proceeded to sing and dance to the R&B track titled Mona Lisa. Complete with a visually stimulating screen that shifted from the audience to Mona Lisa herself.
Hot off the release of the gorgeously dreamy Sweet Dreams (feat Miguel,) j-hope has taken a new direction with Mona Lisa. Perhaps in a bid to showcase his more mature side since his military discharge, the track had been gradually teased, which alluded to the more grown-up sultry version of j-hope or his alter ego, Jay.
The lyrics and accompanying choreography more than back up this concept. Naturally, Mona Lisa draws comparison to the beauty of the iconic Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece housed at Paris’ Louvre Museum. Keeping on theme, the music video takes place in a museum, offering a bright and airy atmosphere where J-Hope delivers a very enjoyable dance routine.
The song’s message itself perhaps parallels the beauty and mystery of the Mona Lisa with the person the rapper is singing about, likening them to a timeless masterpiece. Infatuated not just with external beauty, but also with the special qualities that lie beneath the surface. Quite frankly, that’s a very romantic message to send out to a crush or loved one.<
A little sway
, a little attitude
Join the MONA LISA dance challenge now! 
https://t.co/UzjlaqSbnD#MONALISAChallenge #jhope_MONALISA #jhope #제이홉
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) March 21, 2025 /span>
The concept photos themselves were straight out of an art gallery – mysterious, chic, and reflective of the vibe of the song itself. Mona Lisa is a clear path of just what a versatile artist j-hope is, with a discography that spans multiple genres, ensuring there’s a little bit of something for everyone. One that is sure to stand out in his ever-expansive discography. What also stands out from past releases, besides the more mature side, is seeing him tap into singing.
Photo Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
While he is primarily known as a rapper, he has a gorgeous set of soft vocals that work so well in a soft R&B vibe, such as in the last few releases, such as Sweet Dreams & On the Street. Of course long-time fans will recall his softer side on album tracks such as Blue Side, and P.OP (Piece of Peace)Pt.1, which highlighted a depth of emotions and reassurance. Yet his new direction reflects his passion, direction, and willingness to explore beyond his comfort zones and continue to try new things.
From Sweet Dreams (feat Miguel) to Mona Lisa, the track pulls you in from the get-go, leaving the listener no choice but to be serenaded. The lyrics, of course, perfectly complement the mature theme: She’s so sexy/I’m obsessed, yeah/Toes all in the sand/Come and walk with me (Walk, walk)/Love the way you take the stress and Louis off of me (Of me).” The chorus is irresistibly catchy, almost like a slow climb to slowly teasing the sensuality he’s out to showcase. With just one more single on the way, who knows when j-hope will decide to casually drop it? But with eight more shows on his North American leg, there is no doubt fans can expect plenty of teasers for the foreseeable future. After all, we’re all living in a Hope World.
Mona Lisa is available to stream worldwide everywhere now.
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