Over the last two years, KCON nailed down how to do a virtual festival and how to do one impressively well. Its online events utilised boundary-pushing technology, adapted fan-artist interactions for a digital world and allowed millions of fans to enjoy all the action from the safety of their homes. Now, with the world slowly reopening, itâs time to return to more traditional festival models.
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KCON will return for its main in-person editions in Los Angeles and Tokyo this August and October respectively and, in the run-up to the event, mini-KCONs are happening across the world. With KCON Premiere already completed in Seoul and Tokyo, now itâs Chicagoâs turn to build anticipation for the big comeback. Here are the highlights from the two-day event that reminded us why itâs good to be back together.
Day 1
NMIXX make their mark on the US
NMIXXâs debut single album âAd Mareâ might have been divisive upon its release in February, trying to cram too many styles into one song on âO.Oâ, but their appearance at KCON Premiere is much easier to digest. The JYP Entertainment girl group are the first act to take to the stage when the lights go down for a powerful dance performance that finds them collapsing backwards onto each other in a line, rising back up as one in time with the beat, before they reconfigure and Jinni clambers onto the arched backs of her bandmates like a mountain lion.
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Power is the name of the game for the rest of their appearances, which are broken up throughout the night. Even when theyâre taking part in a game where they have to guess K-pop songs via emojis, the seven-piece dance ferociously, eager to outdo the other members. Covers of BLACKPINKâs âKill This Loveâ â slower and moodier than the original â and BeyoncĂŠâs âMove Your Bodyâ highlight the versatility the group could master as they continue to grow.
CRAVITY look like seasoned pros
After debuting not long into the pandemic, all CRAVITY have known until recently is the life of a K-pop idol group lived online. KCON Premiere is their first time performing to a live audience outside of Korea and proves that they havenât spent their first two years slacking off behind a screen. The nine-member boyband look like seasoned pros from the second they hit the stage, whether theyâre delivering impactful performances or engaging in charismatic displays of banter between songs.
âAdrenalineâ, backed by flumes of smoke and pyro, is a fiery introduction to the band on US territory, while the skrrrt-filled âMy Turnâ is even more infectious live, the venue filled with the sound of fans recreating the high-pitched sound effect that pierces the chorus. Later, âJumperâ raises the stakes even higher, rapper Allen a commanding presence as he declares: âItâs your world / Just do what you wanna do.â For CRAVITY, that seems to be dominating the stage with hard-hitting performances, reinforced by their final, fervent song âPOWâ.
BtoB prove why theyâre the kings of the ballad
Youâll be hard-pressed to find a group with a tighter grip on stunning, emotional ballads than BtoB and five of its members (Sungjae is in Korea filming a drama, as he explains in a video message) prove as much with their debut appearance In Chicago. âThe Songâ provides a heartfelt opening to their performances, while âBlooming Dayâ acts as a perfectly wistful companion to this in-person reunion.
But BTOB arenât all about pulling at heartstrings â they also know how to fill a room with goofy joy too. Eunkwang and Peniel act as MCs for much of tonightâs show, corralling fans and other artists alike through games and interactions, Eunkwang ecstatically leading the room in chanting his nickname âSilverlightâ at any opportunity. The noise is even louder for Peniel, who was born and grew up In Chicago, and is welcomed back with rapturous warmth.
The night-ending joint stage is full of silly fun
It would be remiss of KCON to have three artists gathered in a venue and not get them to collaborate on a performance. The night ends with a brilliant joint stage that pumps up the joy of the night even more. After a clean version of Gayleâs viral hit âabcdefuâ from half of NMIXX, the remaining members, CRAVITY and BTOB return to the aisles between the crowdâs seats, dancing their way to the stage through a take on Psy and Sugaâs âThat Thatâ. White confetti rains down on the room the whole time, only adding to the elation, and brings day one to a giddy close.
Day 2
TO1 shake the room
In their short career so far, TO1 have already been through several ups and downs, but their appearance at KCON Premiere In Chicago firmly landed in the former category. Starting the night in matching shiny green and white letterman jackets, the nine-member boyband instantly made their presence felt with âSon Of Beastâ, its tropical-tinged EDM beats making the Rosemont Theatre feel like a summer rave.
Later, after âsurfing aroundâ in the crowd during âSurfâ, they return to the stage in edgy all-black outfits and open their second act with the thundering bass of âNo More Xâ. The venue might judder with the sound, but the group are unshakeable, delivering tight choreo until the last note. TO1 are no one-trick pony, though, as they prove with a softer cover of OneRepublicâs âSomedayâ. After this, hopefully the only way for the boyband is up.
STAYC dominate with vibrant performances
STAYC might have been making their debut international performance at KCON Premiere, but at times it felt like it could have been their own concert. The screams of their slogan âSTAYC girls, itâs going downâ roared throughout the venue every time it was uttered in a track and the audienceâs energy skyrocketed at any glimpse or mention of the girl group.
Their first overseas appearance didnât disappoint adoring fans either, with bright renditions of âRUN2Uâ and âSo Badâ serving as highlights of the early part of the night. Later, they got closer to the crowd with a mid-room performance of âStereotypeâ, saving mega hit âASAPâ to (almost) last. Before the night ended, STAYC made one more trip to the middle of the audience, providing a penultimate display in the form of a riotous cover of Olivia Rodrigoâs âgood 4 uâ. When the girl group make their return for their own show, it seems like itâll be legendary.
BTOB are the masters of the mood shift once again
BTOB once again serve as KCON Premiere In Chicagoâs established act, giving fans another chance to witness their performance for a second night in a row. âBeautiful Painâ offers more emotional beauty, while âOnly One For Meâ is delivered from amongst the crowd. The latter, much like âDreamerâ the night before, acts as a mood shift from the poignancy of earlier, elevating the atmosphere in the venue to something more akin to a party.
As the night draws to a close, BTOB reflect on their favourite moments of the weekend. âMy whole family is here today so my favourite part was performing in front of them,â Peniel shares with a smile. Itâs a sweet ending to the two days, which have served as a reunion for many, including the rapper and his brood.
The post KCON 2022 Premiere In Chicago recap: NMIXX and CRAVITY bring the power, BTOB bring the emotion appeared first on NME.