j-hope recently teamed up with נαραиese designer NIGO and global sportswear brand NIKE to release a special sneaker, the Nike Air Force 1 ’01 “Burnt Sunrise.” “Inspired by the creative worlds of both collaborators, the design features a glossy leather upper in Burnt Sunrise and Metallic Gold, Chlorine Blue accents, and a signature squirrel motif that reflects j-hope’s energetic spirit,” NIKE described.
In a recent interview promoting the release, j-hope shared that the sneakers held a meaning that was “difficult to put into words” for him. He chose BTS members as the first people he wanted to gift a pair to, while his older sister also revealed that he had promised to give pairs to his family members.
This suggests that the sneakers carry deep personal significance for j-hope and that he intends to share them with people especially close to his heart!
Surprisingly, an EXO member recently appeared to reveal that he had also received a pair of the new NIKE sneakers from j-hope, catching fans off guard and hinting at a close friendship between the two artists.
On October 20 (KST), EXO leader Suho shared an Instagram Story featuring the Nike Air Force 1 ’01 “Burnt Sunrise,” complete with j-hope’s signature squirrel motif and the creative style fans often call “hobicore.” He also added a warm message: “Thank you! My Hope, Hoseok,” while tagging @uarmyhope and @nigo.
Suho’s thank-you message and tag have led fans to speculate that j-hope may have gifted him this exclusive pair. Given the sneakers’ personal significance to j-hope, the possibility has further fueled speculation that the two artists share a close friendship that many fans may not have been aware of.
The post also reminded fans of several interactions between the two over the years, leading some to wonder whether their friendship dates back much further than people realize.
At MAMA 2016, Suho was seen hugging j-hope and V onstage. In more recent years, fans have also noticed Suho liking j-hope’s Instagram posts on several occasions. In late 2025, Suho was spotted attending the opening of a HUMAN MADE store in Apgujeong, Seoul, which also marked the launch of the first HUMAN HOPE collection created by j-hope in collaboration with NIGO.
Over the past decade, fans of BTS and EXO have sometimes been caught up in heated disputes, yet the artists themselves appear to maintain positive relationships. Many fans were surprised and delighted by this possible connection, sharing their reactions online:
- An exo member calling hobi my hope might be the most υиєχρє¢тє∂ thing that has happened this year
- Fanwars aside him using Hoseok’s signature “my hope” to call him that is genuinely the cutest thing I’ve seen lately
- Suho tagging j-hope with that adorable message was not on my 2026 bingo card. I need to know more about their friendship!
- It’s always so surprising/unpredictable to see who he's friends with. Last year, they were at the same event together (the Human Made Apgujeong store opening)
- Imean not surprised cause this man has been liking Hoseok’s posts for years now. But the way he called Hobi "my hope", they must be so closed!
- Being gifted a pair of shoes that hold such special meaning to Hobi. For sure they're close friends for a long time
- BTS and EXO interactions will always have a special place in my heart. I love seeing these friendships between idols
- Hobi really has the sweetest heart. The fact that he wants to share soмєтнing so meaningful with the people he cares about makes me love him even more
- People may have spent years arguing over fandoms, but the artists can still respect and care for each other hehe
