Baekhyun wrapped up his first solo U.S. tour with a sold-out show at LA’s Kia Forum on July 6. Without heavy visual effects or elaborate stage sets, the concert focused on what mattered most – his vocals and dance.
The stage setup was minimal, with clean blue and white lighting that kept the focus on him. Even after a packed U.S. schedule with barely any rest between cities, Baekhyun delivered every note with precision and power.
From Black Dreams, Lemonade, and Elevator to hits like Bambi, UN Village, and Candy, Baekhyun balanced intensity with ease, showing why he remains one of K-pop’s strongest live artists.
Two moments stood out as the most memorable. His Bambi performance with a fedora hat was a clear highlight, with smooth vocals and dance moves – including hat tricks – that naturally brought Michael Jackson to mind.
Another standout was the sequence of Black Dreams, Betcha, Candy, and Elevator. The plucky synth arpeggios and hip-hop beats, paired with fun, engaging choreography, had the entire crowd dancing along.
Elevator, as the closing track before the encore and the title track of his new single album, wrapped up the set with energy and left fans eager for more.
His adlibs throughout the night were flawless, and during his talk segments, he casually sang key parts of his songs a cappella, reminding everyone just how solid his vocals are live. Out of all the K-pop concerts I’ve seen, this was easily one of the best – incredible singing, powerful dance, and full command of the stage.
Before the encore, Amusement Park’s instrumental played with lyrics displayed in both Korean and English, prompting a singalong. Fans laughed as they stumbled through the song’s quick Korean lines.
“I want to be like an amusement park for you,” Baekhyun told the crowd. “Always here, no matter how long you wait.”
At one point, he sang a short snippet of HEARTSTEEL’s PARANOIA as a nod to the Riot Games team in the audience. “I also know there’s a new Netflix film,” he said, referring to Kpop Demon Hunters. “Maybe HEARTSTEEL could collaborate with the film someday.” The crowd went wild at the unexpected mention.
This LA concert was the last U.S. stop before Baekhyun heads to Europe, starting in Berlin. As his first solo world tour under his new label INB 100, it proved one thing clearly: Baekhyun doesn’t need flashy visuals or gimmicks – his talent alone is enough to fill any arena.
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
