REVIEW TREASURE's 'REBOOT' concert heats up chilly weekend
K-pop boy band TREASURE performs during its "REBOOT" concert held at the KSPO DOME in Songpa District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of YG Entertainment
Last week's unusually cold weekend couldn't cool the fiery performances of K-pop boy band TREASURE at its concert, "REBOOT."
Held at the KSPO DOME in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, the group reunited with its Korean fans after a year-long concert hiatus. Eager to showcase the passion of each of the 10 members, TREASURE performed energetically over three consecutive days, showing no signs of fatigue.
In its third year in the K-pop scene, TREASURE consists of members Choi Hyun-suk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jae-hyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeong-woo and So Jung-hwan. The team was the first K-pop act to debut under YG Entertainment's management, following the launch of BLACKPINK in 2016.
During Sunday's concert, attended by this reporter, fans welcomed TREASURE with a sea of waving jewel-shaped official light sticks. Despite having a smaller audience compared to global K-pop giants, their cheers were deafening, creating an exceptionally electric atmosphere.
TREASURE reciprocated the energy, performing with unparalleled skill and enthusiasm.
K-pop boy band TREASURE performs during its "REBOOT" concert held at the KSPO DOME in Songpa District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of YG Entertainment
Opening the concert with the upbeat "BONA BONA," TREASURE set the tone by smoothly transitioning into hits like "JIKJIN," "BOY" and "HELLO." The group's powerful vocals and streetwise hip-hop skills ignited a frenzy among fans.
The seamless coordination between the talented dance team and live band, coupled with dazzling visual effects, including indoor fireworks, flame shooters and lasers, transformed the concert hall into a dynamic festival-like atmosphere.
Fortunately, seated closer to the stage, this reporter had the privilege of vividly observing the perfect synchronization of the 10-member ensemble's choreography with their dynamic expressions complementing the overall enthralling experience.
The group's leader, Choi, visibly sweating after the energetic opening, expressed satisfaction.
"I think the atmosphere here is the best out of the three days we've been performing, even though it's the last day," he said. "We promise to deliver the best performance, so please do make sure you all scream your lungs out so that your throat starts to taste like blood."
K-pop boy band TREASURE performs during its "REBOOT" concert held at the KSPO DOME, Songpa District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of YG Entertainment
Meanwhile, Sunday's performance marked So's last as a minor, eliciting an emotional response as he reflected on the milestone.
Special unit performances further captivated fans with a thrilling live experience unique to concerts. Charismatic renditions of "MOVE" by members Jihoon, Junkyu, Yoon, Doyoung and So and "THANK YOU" performed by Asahi and Yoshi showcased the group's diverse talent.
Notably, Japanese member Asahi stole the spotlight with his energetic charm and refreshing vocals, delivering a memorable performance of "THANK YOU."
The group's ability to flawlessly navigate various genres solidified their identity as a versatile K-pop "treasure." The rappers — Choi, Yoshi and Haruto — delved into the essence of hip-hop with "G.O.A.T" and "VolKno," while Jihoon, Junkyu and Park left a strong impression with the sweet ballad "THE WAY TO."
K-pop boy band TREASURE performs during its "REBOOT" concert held at the KSPO DOME in Songpa District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of YG Entertainment
Throughout the show, TREASURE engaged closely with fans, departing from the usual stage manners observed by other K-pop idols.
As the concert peaked, more intimate moments, with members interacting closely with fans, created a memorable experience. Fans fervently captured the memories on their mobile phones as the members waved and made heart-shaped hand signs up close.
As the concert drew to a close, Junkyu expressed his candid feelings. "It was like a dream for us and I hope you all share this sentiment too," he said.
Yoshi expressed his gratitude to the group's official fandom, TREASURE MAKER, describing them as "the heart of my life who always makes the impossible possible."