[REVIEW] Golden Child proves its potential in first solo concert

K-pop boy band Golden Child played its first solo concert “FUTURE AND PAST” on Saturday. Courtesy of Woollim Entertainment

By Dong Sun-hwa

Boy band Golden Child is striving to prove that slow but steady wins the race.

Debuting in 2017, the 10-piece group is not yet the most sought-after K-pop act. But Golden Child gave people a glimpse of its potential in its first solo concert “FUTURE AND PAST” at Blue Square iMarket Hall in central Seoul on Saturday. The members showed how enthusiastically and constantly they have been polishing their musical prowess ― singing and dancing ― during their impeccable live performance featuring pinpoint dance choreography.

Golden Child's concert poster. Courtesy of Woollim Entertainment

“The concert is literally about the future and past of Golden Child. It is a high quality compilation,” rapper Jangjun said during the gig.

Golden Child first explored the past. Opening the three-hour concert with its debut song “DamDaDi,” the members rocked the stage with vibrancy. They also belted out the energetic “SEA,” “It's U” and “LET ME.” The music was loud, but the voices were even louder.

The solo performances of lead vocalists Joochan and Y followed. Joochan crooned his maudlin ballad “A Song For Me” and Y created a dreamy mood with “Fantasia.” The other members played in units. Jaehyun, Jibeom and Bomin sang the mawkish “Go Together,” while Daeyeol, Seungmin and Donghyun performed the retro-flavored “Our Heaven.”

The concertgoers' excitement reached its peak as Jangjun, Tag and Joochan changed the atmosphere. The trio crafted a charismatic gig with the high-tempo “NO MATTER WHAT,” revealing the group's maturity.

Golden Child performs during its first solo concert. Courtesy of Woollim Entertainment

During the concert, the 10 disclosed they were busy but happy in 2019. One big reason was that they won a music show for the first time in December with their latest release “WANNA BE.”

“The win cheered us up a lot,” Joochan said.

By the end, Golden Child hinted at its future.

“We will drop more albums and win more music shows to hold a second concert,” Jangjun said.

Joochan added: “Beginnings are hard, but it should be less difficult to take on the second challenge.”

The singers also expressed gratitude to their parents, the officials from their agency Woollim Entertainment and Goldness, the group's global fandom.

They are poised to hold another concert at the same venue on Sunday afternoon.