BTS member J-Hope has drawn attention after posting an emotional selfie, revealing a deeply personal moment that unfolded in the middle of the group’s ongoing world tour.

J-Hope shared several photos on social media on Monday with the caption “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ TOKYO.” The images captured a mix of behind-the-scenes moments to high-energy performances on stage.

Among them, one photo stood out: A close-up of the artist with tears in his eyes, his face visibly swollen and flushed. The raw image quickly spread across fan communities and social media, with many interpreting it as reflecting the emotional toll of a recent family loss.

According to the singer, he learned of his grandmother’s death shortly after arriving in Japan for the Tokyo leg of the tour. During a concert, he told fans, “After coming to Japan, I heard that my grandmother, who raised me since I was young, had passed away,” sharing his grief and drawing an emotional response from the audience.

Despite the loss, J-Hope continued to perform, documenting both his off-stage moments and his time in the spotlight. Other photos showed him posing in a leather jacket and scarf for a mirror selfie, as well as performing on stage with a microphone in hand, energizing the crowd.

BTS kicked off its world tour on April 9 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, before heading to Tokyo Dome for concerts held from Friday to Saturday.

The group is set to begin the North American leg of the tour at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, with shows scheduled for April 25-26 and April 28.