j-hope is on the Lookout for a Pretty Face in New Single “MONA LISA”
Korean BTS member and rapper j-hope is back in full force with his new sexy single “MONA LISA” as he steps away from his sweet side. Released on March 21, “MONA LISA” offers listeners a sneak peek at just what j-hope likes, but it doesn’t stop there as the song is paired with equally smooth and sensual choreography. Three months into 2025, j-hope has already jumped back into releasing top hits after being featured on the runway single, “LV Bag,” and releasing his first single since his return, “Sweet Dreams” featuring Miguel. Though j-hope has had some showstopping collaborations, the artist chose to approach this newest release solo.
All About the Avant-Garde
For the creation of the song, as traditionally seen, j-hope is credited with producing the funky track. However this time around, he joined forces with Blake Slatkin to fully master a dynamic and infatuating rhythm. The production is not only easy on the ears, but it keeps steady throughout, creating a feel-good relaxed beat that invites listeners to sing along. The lyrics focus on a woman who attracts endless attention and draws the eyes of many, encapsulating the essence of the girl j-hope wants. Inspired by the timeless Mona Lisa painting, the music video was aptly filmed in a museum.
In the music video, j-hope lets the song shine and enhances it with his charismatic charm as he becomes a moving piece of art. Adorned in his ideal brand, the Louis Vuitton ambassador, sophisticatedly moves throughout the set and even gives them a simple shoutout through the lyrics. Within the whole verse, he raps, “Love the way you take the stress and Louis off of me,” before transitioning back into the song’s catchy chorus.
In the beat-driven chorus, j-hope keeps his poetic flow while raspily rapping, “I like my girls / Pretty in the face / Art piece to the frame / Mona Mona Lisa.” Describing his ideal type, the artist paints a picture of a confident woman who possesses an individuality that enamores and draws him in.
Reintroducing Hope World
After taking such a long break from music, j-hope is finding his way back to entertainment and self-expression, and he seems to be doing so by returning to his roots. “MONA LISA” is an easy-to-dance-to track with heavy and leading bass, creating a dynamic hip-hop track with a velvety R&B influence. Because of this, it is strongly reminiscent of his first mixtape Hope World, and early BTS tracks like “Airplane pt. 2” and “Rain,” both of which j-hope has writing credits on.
Along with a nod to his early sound, the beat and lyrics are matched in energy by his signature smooth and fluid choreography. Lucky BTS fans (ARMY) in attendance of his U.S. tour, “HOPE ON THE STAGE,” were the first to witness the intense choreography with a surprise early premiere of the song. As j-hope and his six backup dancers moved through the music, they framed every ounce of star quality the rapper possessed while keeping a lively synchronization, which raised the anticipation for the single’s release.
With an energetic and vibrant tone, “MONA LISA” sets the tone to welcome the warmer weather of springtime on its way. “MONA LISA” is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. To keep up with j-hope’s activities and releases, make sure to follow him on Instagram and TikTok.
Interested in adding more new music to your playlist? Check out our article on G-DRAGON’s album Übermensch here!
