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'Jack in the Box': Is J-hope not getting a physical solo debut album? BTS fans slam HYBE

J-hope's album will be digitally available on a Weverse Album app and fans are unhappy that this will deter him from charting well for his solo debut

Fans were over the moon when we finally got concrete information on J-hope’s solo debut. After BTS announced chapter 2 of their careers which would focus on their solo projects, they revealed that dancer and rapper J-hope would be the first member to kick it off. Well, his album is titled ‘Jack in the Box’ and will be released on July 15. But to tease fans, the idol will be pre-releasing a single on July 1. It is to be followed by J-hope becoming the first Korean artist to headline Lollapalooza 2022 on July 31.

While ARMY are hyping up his solo endeavors, the pre-order info has everyone confused and angry at HYBE. BTS’ company has shared that while ‘Jack in the Box’ will be a proper album, it will only be released in a digital format through their Weverse Album app. But while we are not getting a physical album, they will be shipping out J-hope photocards to those who have ordered it, an integral part of K-pop physical albums. With several charts like Billboard giving more importance to physical albums, fans are unhappy that this will deter J-hope from charting well for his solo debut.

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J-hope to not get a physical album

While HYBE has previously experimented with digital albums through the Weverse Album app, they have also released physical editions. J-hope is the first HYBE artist who will only be getting a Weverse digital album. While some BTS fans applauded HYBE for going green as K-pop physical albums are responsible for generating a huge carbon footprint, other ARMY are pointing out the hypocrisy. The company has stepped into the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs and are going to create NFTs of its artists. Studies claim NFTs are even worse for the planet as one transaction generates as much carbon footprint as countries like Denmark in one whole year.

And so, fans are not buying the explanation that HYBE is turning eco-friendly for the release of J-hope’s solo debut album. The ‘Jack in the Box’ pre-order information has further led to confusion as many do not know where to stream which would help digital tracking and charting like on Spotify, iTunes and MelOn. ARMY have resorted to creating threads to explain that the Weverse Album app is just like an online CD and to help J-hope’s album chart, they will have to listen to the album on the usual music streaming platforms like Spotify and MelOn. But the sales of the Weverse Album will only count towards the South Korean charts Gaon and Hanteo.

‘HYBE using their biggest artists to promote their silly app’

With the Weverse app being a new venture with barely 5K downloads, fans think HYBE is using the BTS star to promote their app instead of allowing him to unleash his full potential for his solo debut. One ARMY pointed out, “Hybe is being eco friendly they don't want to damage the environment says the brainwashed cult conveniently forgetting that hybe is coming out with nfts soon.”

Another ARMY commented, “HYBE using their biggest artists to promote their silly app that nobody cares about and sabotaging their chances at charting is evil hope all of them realize their worth leave their a** and watch them sink!!!!” 

One fan asked, “Which group in hybe only has a weverse album? Bcos as far as i know they have weverse album + physical cd.. why experiment with a bts member first solo album?”

Another was disappointed, “Hybe never beating the hoseok anti allegations.” To those who kept saying J-hope is a shareholder and so had a say in the release, one ARMY reminded, “They own 1% AS A GROUP and im pretty sure hobi sold his but honestly can we stop making it look like bt5 are ceos of hybe or that they have a huge say on how the company does things coz it involves them when the company fucks up (w/c theyve done like with nfts).”

But some fans are hopeful, “Other Groups from hybe released  on weverse albums too, so we may have physicals too. they did mention that pre-order locations are online and in-stores .” Another ARMY added, “Maybe they don't care about Billboard...I mean they did sing about not being about crowns,etc.  Idk.”

One asked fans to be patient, “Everyone is so quick to complain and judge instead of waiting for for what's to come. He's just releasing and for him to go online and see all thia toxicity what a way to be a fan right?” With Weverse album not mentioning anything about charting on Billboard, one fan shared, “Buy #JackInTheBox weverse album so Hobi can chart on korean album chart. Give him the biggest korean solo debut 2. But BH will be getting hell from me for restricting his US career and not giving us that full album.”

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