Japanese singer Aimyon captivates 16,000 at first concert in Korea
Japanese singer-songwriter Aimyon performs during her first concert in Korea at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. Courtesy of MPMG Music
Japanese singer-songwriter Aimyon left fans cheering and clapping in surprise during her first-ever concert in Korea when she revealed in Korean that she had secretly been studying the language for a year.
“I actually kept a secret from everyone,” she said in Japanese. Then, switching to Korean, she added, “I’ve been studying Korean for about a year now, since last May. I didn’t tell anyone, not even my band or staff. Surprised? It’s really difficult.”
The crowd at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, roared in response. Aimyon, whose real name is Aimi Morai, was known in middle school for her love of K-pop and Korean culture.
On April 19 and 20, Aimyon performed two sold-out shows at Kintex, drawing a total of 16,000 fans. The audience, largely made up of male fans in their 20s and 30s, responded with loud cheers throughout the performance.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut, Aimyon delivered a faultless live performance filled with warmth, confidence, and musical precision, solidifying her status as one of the most popular J-pop artists among Korean listeners.
Her songs, including “Ai wo Tsutaetaidatoka," have ranked on Melon’s daily charts, an uncommon feat for Japanese music. Her hit track “You Don’t Listen to Rock Music” is even used as a cheer song by FC Seoul, and was a highlight of the concert as the crowd joined in a full-throated singalong.
Aimyon performs at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. Courtesy of MPMG Music
A minimalist stage, a powerful presence
Aimyon's concert, like her music, was refreshingly stripped down. There were no flashy visuals or elaborate stage setups — just her voice, a band, instruments, and focused lighting.
She opened with “If I'm Gonna Die Anyway," giving a raw vocal performance under a single spotlight, setting the tone for a show that relied entirely on sound and sincerity.
From the tender acoustic “Fake” to the cinematic “Harunohi” — famously used in the 27th Crayon Shin-chan film — to the explosive energy of “Matryoshka," Aimyon delivered a dynamic and balanced set that highlighted both emotional nuance and musical power. Her clear, resonant voice never wavered, even as she darted across the stage.
Aimyon jumps across the stage during her concert at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. Courtesy of MPMG Music
A playful, disarming performer
Known for her blunt yet quirky charm, Aimyon didn’t hold back. As she performed her indie debut song, famed for its provocative lyrics about obsessive love, she showed the same boldness that first set her apart from other singers.
She kept the crowd laughing with unexpected moments — pinching her belly to match the lyrics of “Show Me All You Got," mimicking the manga character Crayon Shin-chan’s voice, and even playing the viral apartment game while singing Rose’s “APT.” The tour title, Dolphin Apartment, served as inspiration.
Like Coldplay’s concert held nearby the same weekend, Aimyon’s show was a masterclass in how an artist can build intimacy with a large audience.
She provided real-time translations on screen, uncommon even among seasoned international acts, and engaged the crowd by using a camera connected to binoculars to ask fans about their age, who they came with, and where they were seated.
“I didn’t know I was this popular in Korea,” she said. “I was really nervous for many reasons, but hearing your voices got me excited. Thank you for filling such a huge venue for my first concert here.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.