It’s no exaggeration to say that BTS are currently the top K-pop idols, receiving immense love and admiration from their peers—especially from younger-generation idols. This admiration runs even deeper among artists under HYBE. It can be said that nearly 100% of idols under this label acknowledge BTS as their ideal role models, or even as the very reason that motivated them to join the company in hopes of achieving success like their seniors one day.

For example, CORTIS Martin once shared: “As a fan who grew up watching BTS’s performances since I was young, the first time I saw their concert was at Jamsil Stadium. Watching that stage back then, I dreamed, ‘I want to stand on that stage too.’”

Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin mentioned in an interview: “After seeing BTS receive awards in the U.S., I realized that ‘Asians can succeed in the music industry too". She has also been known as a long-time fan of BTS even before pursuing her idol career.

And following Yunjin, her groupmate Chaewon has recently revealed her unabashed admiration for a BTS member, sharing that she has been greatly influenced by him in positive ways!

Specifically, LE SSERAFIM have just made a comeback with “Celebration” and are currently promoting the track. During a recent interview with Sakshma Srivastav, the HYBE girl group was asked a common question: “Is there any HYBE artist who you truly came to admire and who influenced you after getting to know them?” Chaewon immediately named j-hope, surprising the host, while the other members nodded and echoed his name in agreement.

Chaewon then elaborated on her choice, saying: “Even before he collaborated on our song, we always drew so much energy and learned a ton just by watching him. The chance to work together and get direct advice from him felt even more inspiring. Even after such a long career, he still radiates incredible energy. To me, that's truly amazing, and I feel so grateful.”

Previously, in October last year, j-hope worked with LE SSERAFIM on the title track “Spaghetti” for the group’s first single album. The song reached No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking their highest achievement to date. Through several behind-the-scenes moments, fans could clearly see the enthusiastic support j-hope gave to his juniors, while the girl group also expressed great respect and gratitude for collaborating with their senior.

Now, based on Chaewon’s remarks, it is evident that j-hope had already been a mentor figure to them long before they had the chance to work together directly. For LE SSERAFIM—and perhaps many other HYBE junior idols—j-hope serves as a “living textbook” for the standards of a global star, particularly in terms of performance sкιℓℓs, dance, on-camera attitude, and stage presence.

At the same time, Chaewon and LE SSERAFIM didn’t just learn by “watching”; they were also able to collaborate directly with j-hope and receive his advice—an opportunity not every young idol gets to experience. Such a chance left an even deeper impression on her and further fueled her motivation to pursue her career.

On another note, Chaewon particularly emphasized j-hope’s “incredible energy”—in other words, the enduring pαѕѕion he maintains even after many years in the industry. In a demanding field like K-pop, sustaining enthusiasm and consistent performance is far from easy. It’s no surprise, then, that young artists like Chaewon feel both admiration and renewed drive inspired by j-hope’s dedication.

Chaewon’s story once again proves that the influence of BTS in general, and j-hope in particular, continues to spread powerfully among the new generation of idols. They are not only global superstars but also true sources of inspiration, helping shape the next wave of K-pop artists. Fans can’t help but feel proud and remark:

- The bond is so precious and cute. i know for a d*mn fact that hobi is the favorite sunbae in that building

- Hoseok is one of the best idols that HYBE has; a lot of people, after they get to know him, speak very highly of him. Iroha also had him as a model/inspiration and said that she really liked having met him afterward

- Chaewon praising j-hope like this just makes me even prouder of him and BTS. Their influence is truly unmatched

- Aww they love his personality. i hope they can get into his solo work too!! and #get how hes on a different league with his self produced music

- Very understandable. Hobi really is legendary and inspiring. Thank you cuties

- She said lots of good things abt Hoseok and I love how every single artists in Hybe building know how admirable he is

- The way Chaewon talks about j-hope with so much respect… you can tell he truly left a strong impression on her.

- The incredible energy is so true. That’s literally what makes j-hope stand out on every stage

- This is why j-hope is respected across generations. Talent, attitude, and consistency—he has it all

- Hearing idols talk about BTS with this much admiration will never get old. Legends inspiring 

- BTS didn’t just make music, they created a whole path for others. Chaewon’s words prove that