DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: J-HOPE IN THE BOX

4/5

A Box Full Of Hope.

Spike from 'Notting Hill' may have never got the chance to see Pandora's box, but now you can on Disney +. As their latest music documentary takes you behind the stage scenes for 'J-Hope In The Box'. Following their 'Permission To Dance' concert film, the Mickey Mouse giant entertainment company's streaming service looks at the making of BTS member J-Hope's 'Jack In The Box' album. And nothing is left on the cutting room floor.

From Seoul to Chicago, we see the South Korean rapper like never before. All whilst curating and creating his classic album, hot on the heels of his supergroup's hiatus. You get to see just how hard Hope works here and how all it all pays off...without a trace of 'Ego' like that epic song. The soul of Bangtan Sonyeondan takes his solo act to the Lollapalooza stage, burning the Windy City down like he did his credit card on his last shopping spree on Lake Shore Drive. An effervescent man of the people. He gregariously gushes upon meeting rap God J. Cole and impresses the emcee with his mixtape knowledge. He gets sweet support from his bandmates Suga and Jimin, showing this brief break could never bore into the beautiful bond this Korean ARMY still makes and recreates.

Get ready to be surprised like a popping box, Jack. Because if you thought this type of music was manufactured, your mind needs a rework. The meaning behind this muse and his message is given new translation, no longer lost thanks to the subtitles. Then, it feels like the whole state of Michigan is out in full force behind him, at the same Grant Park President Barack Obama gave his election victory speech. The whole raised like the L skyline behind like, "the city is mine."

But even off-stage he holds court like a GOAT. Working in the studio like a bull on an album that shows he's a real rapper to all that pop power. Hitting the rehearsal steps like M.J. (either or) did the gym. J is all butter like another big hit. If this is what hope looks like, I don't know why we lost it.

Intimate and inspired from production to performance, Jung Hoseok is the real deal. Sitting in New York's Bryant Park with a smoothie like you wish you were there that afternoon, or chopping it up with collaborator rapper Becky G like he was the 'Chicken Noodle Soup' to her soda on the side. The love felt for Hope is palpable. The process, potent. This journey of endeavour is one that will encourage fellow artists to follow suit, no matter what hand they've been dealt. From Seoul to 'trotting around the globe is a notion that is now more than just an American dream in this and his reality. You can't keep the energy of Hope in a box. And now the whole world is open to it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'BTS: Permission To Dance (On Stage-LA)', 'Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever (A Love Letter To Los Angeles)', 'Taylor Swift: Folklore (The Long Pond Studio Sessions)'.