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REVIEW BOYNEXTDOOR goes big but not bold in Seoul finale of 1st world tour
K-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR performs during the final show of its debut tour, “BOYNEXTDOOR TOUR 'KNOCK ON Vol.1',” at KSPO Dome in Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of KOZ Entertainment
By Pyo Kyung-min
BOYNEXTDOOR, the boy band under KOZ Entertainment and part of HYBE's ever-expanding K-pop empire, officially wrapped its first-ever tour with a sold-out three-day finale in Seoul.
Backed by the full force of the K-pop conglomerate, the production successfully delivered on scale, but flashes of déjà vu dimmed the finale's impact. Familiar visuals and staging choices echoed past K-pop spectacles, raising questions about KOZ's creative direction and the group's evolving identity.
Launched in December 2024 in Incheon, "BOYNEXTDOOR TOUR 'KNOCK ON Vol.1'" spanned 23 shows across 13 cities, including Tokyo, Singapore, Manila, Taipei and Jakarta, ending with three finale performances that ran Friday to Sunday at KSPO Dome in southeastern Seoul.
Sunday's show, the final evening of the run, offered a glimpse into the group's young but devoted fanbase. Students made up much of the crowd — some with hair still in curlers, others casually dressed in checkered shirts.
But once inside, the fans all became a single, unified voice, erupting in thunderous cheers as the lights cut out and they were plunged into darkness, signaling the start of the show.
K-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR performs during the final show of its debut tour, “BOYNEXTDOOR TOUR 'KNOCK ON Vol.1',” at KSPO Dome in Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of KOZ Entertainment
The concert opened with dramatic flair. Red curtains pulled back on the main screen, spotlights swirled, and the six members stepped onto the stage in crisp white suits, reflecting the light. Phones went up across the crowd as fans rushed to capture the moment.
Performing with handheld microphones from start to finish, BOYNEXTDOOR members looked and sounded like K-pop veterans onstage. Interacting directly with the cameras and audience, the six delivered a stream of winks and flirtatious gestures that sent young fans into a frenzy.
The evening's set opened with "Nice Guy" and moved through fan favorites like "Serenade," "123-78," "OUR" and "One and Only." The crowd's booming singalong only raised the energy.
K-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR performs during the final show of its debut tour, “BOYNEXTDOOR TOUR 'KNOCK ON Vol.1',” at KSPO Dome in Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of KOZ Entertainment
Mid-show, the group broke into subunits to reimagine K-pop staples. Sungho, Riwoo and Myung Jae-hyun took on singer Primary's 2012 hit "See Through," bringing a sharp swagger to their performance. Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak followed with a heartfelt cover of DAY6's 2018 song "Congratulations," highlighting the group's emotional range.
Taesan, in particular, stood out — dressed in a gray suit and glasses, his combination of clean vocals and sharp visuals gave off major star potential.
The second half of the show featured a steady run of crowd-pleasing hits. "If I Say I Love You," the group's most popular release to date, received a massive reaction, followed by the group's most recent lead single, "I Feel Good," which kept the momentum going. Songs like "Dangerous," "But Sometimes," and "Earth, Wind & Fire" also brought rhythmic charm to the stage.
But while BOYNEXTDOOR's confidence shone, the show itself left room for growth.
A total of 33,000 fans gathered during BOYNEXTDOOR's three-day finale performance of its tour, “BOYNEXTDOOR TOUR 'KNOCK ON Vol.1',” at KSPO Dome in Seoul. Courtesy of KOZ Entertainment
The visual production, in particular, stuck closely to K-pop's usual playbook. Multiple confetti blasts and shifting stage setups did make for a spectacle, but few moments felt distinctly BOYNEXTDOOR. Even the band's attempt at a backstage camera entrance, recently made viral by other acts, felt more recycled than refreshing.
For a group backed by HYBE and KOZ's musical credibility, the show at times felt too safe and too familiar, almost like a well-crafted edit of what has already worked for others.
Another segment saw members entering from within the crowd in an effort to close the distance between artist and audience. But with a relatively young fan demographic, the sight of fans swarming toward the idols with phones in hand, ignoring staff guidance, raised safety concerns.
With Asia behind them, BOYNEXTDOOR is now heading to the U.S. The group will perform at Lollapalooza Chicago on Aug. 3, joining a growing roster of K-pop acts featured at the iconic American music festival.