He became the first member of BTS to enter the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist in 2019, when his single "Chicken Noodle Soup", featuring singer Becky G, debuted at number 81.

[7] Under the band's name, he has performed four solo songs: "Intro: Boy Meets Evil", "Mama", "Trivia 起: Just Dance", and "Outro: Ego".

[11] "Outro: Ego", also an upbeat, "funky" track, from 2020's Map of the Soul: 7, reflected on J-Hope's career and the decisions and hardships he faced through the years, additionally addressing the "dichotomy between his stage persona and his birth identity".

[12] J-Hope also collaborated with bandmate V and Swedish singer Zara Larsson on the single "A Brand New Day" for the official soundtrack of the BTS World mobile video game.

[13] J-Hope's first solo release, outside of his work with BTS, was the 2015 rap track "1 Verse"—it sampled "El Chapo" by The Game—uploaded for free via the band's SoundCloud.

[14] A darker sound in comparison to what he would become known for later on in his career,[15] the song addressed J-Hope's haters, particularly those who continuously listened to his music just to criticize him, and showcased his ability to mold his vocals and rapping style to reflect the content of his lyrics.

[14] On March 1, 2018, J-Hope released his first solo mixtape Hope World worldwide, accompanied by a music video for the lead single "Daydream".

[23] J-Hope released the full version of the mixtape's closing track, "Blue Side (Outro)", for free via BTS' SoundCloud page on March 1, 2021, in celebration of Hope World's third anniversary.

Recorded before J-Hope began his mandatory military service a year prior, both projects explored his artistic roots and street dance background.

[40][41] J-Hope participated in Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes, a charity event hosted by the First Lady of France Brigitte Macron, in January 2025.

Held at La Défense Arena in Paris, he performed a three-song set as the show's opening act—per Macron's request—before a crowd of 35,000 attendees, marking his first musical appearance following the completion of his military service three months prior.

[47][48] His mixtape, Hope World, was described as having a fun nature and variety of musical genres, including synth-pop, trap, house, alternative hip hop, funk-soul, and retro elements.

[16][49] In a review published by The 405, Emmad Usmani praised the mixtape's concept and production, writing "J-Hope showcases exceptional creativity, genuine personality, and a cohesive sense of direction over the 20 minutes of the project".

[50] Jeff Benjamin of Fuse wrote that the atmospheric style of "Blue Side", Hope World's outro track, "leaves the listener curious for what's coming next from J-Hope".

[51] The lyrical elements of the mixtape, notably the lead song "Daydream", was praised by Billboard for its discussion of the difficulties an idol faces in their career, various literary references, and fun presentation of the serious subject matter.

[72] Following the 2022 South Korean floods in Seoul, J-Hope donated ₩100 million through the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to assist those affected.

[74] Following the crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 in December 2024, J-Hope donated ₩100 million ($68,000) to families of the victims as a "small measure of support".

[75] In February, Seoul Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital revealed that he donated ₩200 million which will be used to improve treatment facilities for the patients, as well as for research into severe and rare incurable diseases.