REVIEW (G)I-DLE stuns crowd with confident 'iDOL' concert
K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE performs during its "(G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR 'iDOL' IN SEOUL" concert at Olympic Park's KSPO Dome in southeastern Seoul's Songpa District, Saturday. Courtesy of Cube Entertainment
Making a monumental entry into the KSPO Dome seven years after its debut, K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE celebrated its growth with a two-day concert, treating fans to its vibrant music.
Last Saturday, the Olympic Park's KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, hosted the opening of (G)I-DLE's world tour, "iDOL." Spanning the weekend, the "iDOL" concert marked the group's first world tour in about a year, following the "I am FREE-TY" tour which ran from June to October last year.
Despite Saturday's scorching summer heat, around 8,000 fans packed the venue, eager to see the five-piece act. Responding to their passion, (G)I-DLE delivered an extensive setlist of 25 songs and performances designed to connect with its audience that afternoon.
The concert began with a grand entrance as (G)I-DLE members descended from the dome's ceiling on a flashy decorative structure. Onstage performances for hits like "Super Lady" and "Oh my god" showcased the group's confident energy, snatching the crowd into ecstacy right from the beginning.
K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE performs during its "(G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR 'iDOL' IN SEOUL" concert at Olympic Park's KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Cube Entertainment
Following an intense opening sequence, the group leader Soyeon took a moment to thank the fans who filled the venue. She expressed her gratitude for allowing (G)I-DLE to hold a concert at KSPO Dome, one of the most significant performance venues for K-pop bands.
"We have performed at Yes24 Live Hall, Olympic Hall, Handball Stadium, Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium and now, we have finally entered KSPO Dome. Hearing the cheers from Neverland — (G)I-DLE’s official fandom — when we appeared was truly touching," she said, eliciting unified cheers from the crowd.
After her speech, the stage soon transitioned to solo performances, with each of the five members bringing a distinct flair to the performance. Shuhua mesmerized the audience with a cover of South African singer Tyla's megahit, "Water," as Minnie treated her fans to her soft, emotional vocals with "Like a Dream," an original soundtrack for the popular TV series, "Lovely Runner."
The members also showcased their skills as composers with self-composed songs, with Yuqi exuding hipster vibes with "RADIO (DUM DUM)," and Miyeon adding to the excitement with her refreshing high notes from "SKY WALKING."
Particularly notable was Soyeon’s performance, featuring the track "Is this bad b****** number?" Her performance ranged from a bold display in full-body leopard print tights to her signature intense rapping, showcasing the multifaceted talents she has developed over the years.
K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE performs during its "(G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR 'iDOL' IN SEOUL" concert at Olympic Park's KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Cube Entertainment
The latter part of (G)I-DLE's concert was a testament to the group's polished stage presence. Notable performances included "Wife," with dancers donning unique mint-colored wigs, the J-pop-reminiscent "Fate" and the summer-themed love song "Klaxon."
The group’s confident charms shone through in the performances of "LION," "POP/STARS," "MY BAG," "Queencard" and "TOMBOY," highlighting the group's unparalleled command of the stage.
However, the concert was not without its hitches. Early in the show, excessive instrumentals overshadowed the members' live vocals, and the large screen meant to display close-ups of the members' faces malfunctioned several times, casting a shadow on the group's first KSPO Dome performance.
A notable incident occurred during the early performance of "LATATA," when a sound delay affected Minnie's part. Despite the setbacks, the members' calm demeanor allowed the concert to proceed smoothly, showcasing their poise under pressure.
K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE performs during its "(G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR 'iDOL' IN SEOUL" concert at Olympic Park's KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Cube Entertainment
As the curtain fell on the first night of their concert, the members of (G)I-DLE shared their thoughts on the successful start to their world tour. Shuhua remarked, "It was a performance filled with both tension and excitement, shared with Neverland from home and abroad."
Yuqi also expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am so thankful to Neverland for filling this large space that was empty during rehearsals.”
Minnie, moved to tears, said, “I am happy to perform in front of so many Neverland ... This moment of achieving my dream of a solo concert in such a grand venue, which I wished for as an aspiring singer, is all thanks to Neverland."
Following its performances in Seoul over the weekend, (G)I-DLE will continue the world tour with stops in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Tacoma, Oakland, Anaheim, Houston, Rosemont, Belmont Park, Taipei, Bangkok, Macao, Melbourne and Sydney.