K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN begins its Ode To You world tour in Seoul
K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN marked the beginning of its world tour, Ode To You, with three concerts in the South Korean capital, Seoul.
This is the 13-member group's second world tour, following Diamond Edge two years ago.
We named the concert Ode To You because we wanted to show and sing all the things we wanted to say to you [fans]
More than 40,000 people attended the shows last Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Olympic Park KSPO Dome.
The world tour will see the group, which made its debut in 2015, perform a series of concerts in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand in October and November, and the Philippines and Malaysia next February.
“We named the concert Ode To You because we wanted to show and sing all the things we wanted to say to you guys,” Mingyu, a member of SEVENTEEN, said at the start of Sunday’s concert.
The show instantly grabbed the crowd’s attention, with one member suddenly appearing in the middle of the stage following a video intro.
Pieces of white cloth fell from the ceiling as other members of the group followed him on stage. Then multiple blue beams illuminated the hall as the band members started to sing the opening number, Getting Closer.
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The structure of the performance and set list was interesting as the members were divided into three groups, specialising in hip-hop, vocals and performance, respectively.
We talk about the track, Smile Flower, a lot because this song strangely makes people forget all their troubles. [After singing it in concert] I know why the [band] members cry sometimes when they listen to the song
For example, for the hip-hop section, four members of the group came out to sing TRAUMA, a track with restrained choreography. For the following song, they sang Chili, a lively song which instantly changed the mood.
The performance segment focused more on choreography rather than singing. There was a mysterious atmosphere on the stage as long white pieces of fabric floated down from the ceiling. Again, four members – Jun, Hoshi, The8 and Dino – appeared wearing white traditional Korean clothes, and danced to the song 13th Month's Dance.
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Unique and dramatic visuals and stage work were another visually pleasing part of the concert.
For most of the show, the stage was decorated like a musical setting, and Crazy in Love, one of the songs included in the group's fourth mini-album, was presented on a film-like stage.
For other performances, the group used a floating construction where each band member danced inside his own cell. The members appeared in silhouette, then performed individually inside the cells.
The members slowly came down from the construction and completed the rest of the song.
Members of SEVENTEEN were caught on camera shedding tears – as they flew over the stage on wires – as CARAT, the official fan group of SEVENTEEN, chanted along to Smile Flower.
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“We actually talk about this track [Smile Flower] a lot because this song strangely makes people forget all their troubles,” Won-woo said. “Now I know why the [band] members cry sometimes when they listen to the song.”
Toward the end of the concert, the group performed HIT – the title track of its new album, which will be released on September 16.
It has been reported that the album will reveal a dramatic change in the concept of the group.
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13-member group thrills 40,000 fans at three Seoul shows before flying off to start series of concerts at venues in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia