FIRST IMPRESSION
So, let me just start off by saying this album was a whole experience, and I’m *shook* in the best way possible.
Also, is the name of the album inspired by J Cole? For the ones who might not know, J cole’s first studio album is Cole world: The Sideline Story. If it it i’m gonna scream🤩🤩
The vibe of the album is unreal. From the jump, it felt like J-Hope was personally welcoming me into his world.
TRACK #1 “Hope world”
“Hope World,”** legit gave me such a burst of energy. It’s like waking up to a sunny day, and you feel like you can take on anything. The beat? Fire. His flow? So smooth. It was like he was flexing his personality through the track, with his rhymes bouncing around, and honestly, I was vibing right along. I didn’t even care that I didn’t catch every lyric right away—his energy said it all.
FAVORITE LINES;
“This is style, This is mine
The same-same kids, one body one mind Time
To be in one body and soul
Let’s try it together, it’s a submarine here
Everyone’s Arronax I’m Captain Nemo
Follow“
I think here J-Hope is saying his style is unique and fully his own, unlike others who are all the same. He’s calling out the “same-same kids” who follow trends mindlessly. The submarine and Captain Nemo reference (from *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea*) means he’s the leader of this deep, unique journey, inviting others to follow him into something different and deeper. Basically, he’s saying, “I’m on my own wave—come through if you’re ready for something real.”
TRACK #2 “ P.O.P(piece of peace)pt.1”
MAN, this song hit different. He’s dropping these feel-good, inspirational vibes, and it made me think, “How can a song be this positive and not cheesy?” But it wasn’t. He made it work! This song is like a hug in audio form, but you also catch these slick rhymes where you’re like, “Okay, J-Hope, I see you.”
*FAVORITE LINES *
“Blood and sweat is the daily wage that grows miserable
Answers like a drought
That makes sprouts wither
Even if you scream your song this world is hard of hearing”
And to me this line felt like J-Hope paints a picture of how exhausting the struggle for success and meaning can be. “Blood and sweat is the daily wage that grows miserable” referring to the constant hard work and sacrifice that doesn’t always lead to happiness or fulfillment, but instead drains you.😞 ain’t that the truth.
The “answers like a drought” suggesting that despite the effort, clarity or solutions are scarce, leaving you feeling stuck or hopeless. Finally, “Even if you scream your song this world is hard of hearing” emphasizes the frustration of expressing yourself or your struggles but feeling unheard or ignored by the world, despite pouring your heart out. It reflects the difficulty of making an impact or finding validation in a world that often seems indifferent.
Whew!!
TRACK #3 “Daydream”
Daydream was easily one of my faves. It’s the kinda song you wanna play when you’re chilling or on a late-night drive. But it’s not just about the sound—the lyrics really got to me. J-Hope is out here talking about wanting to escape reality but also knowing he’s gotta stay grounded. The whole thing felt like a relatable rant about wanting freedom but knowing you’ve got responsibilities. It’s a mood for all of us who are just trying to make it through life, lol.
*FAVORITE LINE”
”Y’all must’ve been caught like fish
In a net called ‘desire’ with thirst in life
Common psychological escape
Even I can’t swim out of it
Not, a reality refusal
Discontent, misfitting
Ain’t none of that
Love ma rule”
Well that’s not really a line😅
Away, On this part, I think J-Hope is commenting on how people, including himself, get trapped in their desires and ambitions, which can feel like being “caught like fish in a net called ‘desire’.” This “thirst in life” speaking to the constant yearning for more—whether maybe it’s success, happiness, or fulfillment. The but even he admits that he’s also caught up in it (“Even I can’t swim out of it”).
He clarifies that this isn’t about rejecting reality or being discontent with life (“Not, a reality refusal / Discontent, misfitting”). Instead, he seems acknowledges the struggle but chooses to live by his own values and rules, saying “Love ma rule.” emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and personal growth despite the pressures of desire and the challenges of life.
Don’t you just love how I’ve turned into a hiphop head that over analyze bars for y’all😂😭
TRACK #4 “Baseline”
Base Line ** threw me off in the best way possible. It’s short but straight to the point, like, this is his flex track. J-Hope is out here reminding us he worked HARD to get where he is, and honestly, respect. The beat was nasty (in a good way), and the wordplay? *Chef’s kiss*. The fact that he could pack so much swag into such a short track—bro, I’m still not over it.
The way he plays around with the word “BASE LINE”
Here are a few cool plays on words I peeped 👀
1. **”Base line” as a double meaning**: He uses “base line” in multiple ways—musically, as in beat or rhythm of his songs (“The base line of my music”), but also metaphorically, representing the aspects of his life, success, and hard work (“The base line of my movement,” “The base line of my success”). It’s like he’s saying the core of everything he does is built on his own values and effort.
2. **”Base time” and “base line” difference**: When he says “From now it’s base time,” he’s playing with the word “base” to shift from describing his foundation to announcing it’s *his time* to shine and dominate. Then, “The difference in base you feel” refers to how others perceive his unique style or the solid foundation behind his success. It’s a clever way of showing how his “base” sets him apart from the rest.
3. **”Base on” vs. “basis”**: He flips the phrase “They say, base on / A grade without basis,” where “base” and “basis” sound similar but carry different meanings.Basically saying people judge or hate on him without a real foundation or reason (“without basis”), while his foundation (his base) is solid and grounded.
4. **”Base line, the source of my result”**: Here, he’s tying the “base line” back to the idea that his success is rooted in hard work, discipline, and effort. It’s a cool way of saying that the line, or foundation, of everything he’s achieved starts from his base—his grind and dedication.
5. **”Main base, mainstay”**: In this line, “base” again plays double duty. “Main base” can mean his foundational life or career, while “mainstay” means something constant and reliable. It’s like saying his hard work has always been his anchor in life, and it’s the reason for his success.
TRACK #4 “Airplane”
Okay, let’s talk about “Airplane” This one felt almost bittersweet? The beat was smooth, but the lyrics were like him reflecting on how far he’s come. It gave me chills because it’s like, he’s on this crazy ride, flying high, but there’s still this part of him that feels grounded. I just loved how reflective and real it felt.
TRACK #5 “Blue Side”
And finally, **”Blue Side.”** It’s like he’s closing the door to his world but leaving it just a little cracked open. The mellow vibe and the softness of the track made me feel nostalgic even though I had just finished the album for the first time. Like, it really sealed the whole experience for me.
CONCLUSION!
Overall, what really impressed me was how *personal* the album felt. He lyricism is clever, he’s not just throwing words together. He’s got layers. The double meanings, especially in tracks like *Daydream* and *Piece of Peace*, really hit. Plus, his delivery is so versatile—he can be playful, deep, and introspective, all in the same project.
By the way, this little mind of mine be wanting to dig deep into literally every line😂 but I know in 2024 everyone’s attention span is short so I’ll just keep it short and cute😭
J-Hope, you’ve officially got me hooked. Can’t wait to dive into more!
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Hi, thanks for your wonderful commentary! It’s really fascinating to get a fresh perspective on music that means so much to all of us.
I want to reiterate something important that others have said as well – please use doolset for lyrics https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com. Especially since they are so important to you, one word here and there could give you very different insights. Mistranslations are rampant with BTS songs because a lot of people will just auto translate the Korean lyrics. None of the members shy away from wordplay, so doing their lyrics justice in English is actually quite hard. You’ll miss out on so much without the additional Korean context for a lot of lines. Doolset is widely accepted as the best translation for BTS.
Love what you’re doing here, and can’t wait for you to get to the group’s discography. You will not be disappointed! 💜
Hey there! I really like your reviews, but I noticed that you seemed to have skipped one of the songs from the album, Hansang (Always). It’s between Base Line and Airplane in the track list.
I know it can be overwhelming and things can fall through the cracks, but I wanted to let you know
I came across this on twitter, and I am so glad I decided to read! It’s fun to read peoples first impressions of not just albums, but artists. j-hope and his lyricism is something special, and Hope World definitely highlights that. Did you also listen to Hangsang? That’s track 5 off of the album (after Baseline and before Airplane). If not, I def recommend going back and giving it a listen– it’s another one of those tracks that can throw you off if you’re not expecting it.
And as other commenters have noted: doolset is a fantastic resource for Korean to English translations of BTS/solo works. They provide a lot of nuance since there’s rarely just a direct translation (especially with someone like j-hope who plays with language so much and uses entendres regularly in his lyrics!)
Cheers!