So, we all agree the pandemic years sucked; But —it’s a big but— a fond memory stands out amidst the blur of my pandemic-struck years: Being in sheer awe as Baekhyun graced the 13-inch screen of my laptop with his first-ever online concert BAEKHYUN: LIGHT. With how bleak things seemed then, it’s hard to believe we’d get the opportunity to witness the soloist perform in person three years later.
Then, Baekhyun’s playful demeanour reminiscent of his puppy-like image was palpable even through the screen, evident in his enthusiasm for connecting with fans (albeit virtually) and showcasing his prowess as a vocalist.
Today, there’s a subtle shift —a refinement, if you will— that sees the K-Pop idol of 12 years exude a suave maturity and understated confidence in his every move — of course, this isn’t to suggest that Baekhyun has lost the infectious energy that he’s known for. It's as though he's evolved, not just as a performer, but as a person, and that growth was beautifully showcased throughout the nearly two-hour LONSDALEITE concert in Singapore.
As he took to the stage with ‘Diamond’ (a track from EXO’s wide repertoire, though a part of me longed for the standout B-side from his debut UN Village album) ‘Playboy’, ‘Stay Up’, and ‘Ice Queen’ adorned in a bejewelled ivory white ensemble, Baekhyun effortlessly captivated the audience with his dulcet tones.
While there seemed to be a slight disparity between the performer on stage and the man fans endearingly refer to as “Kyoong” and “Baekhyunee”, this disconnect quickly dissolved as soon as Baekhyun delved into his talk segments, infusing wit and charm as he cutely showed off the new Singlish phrases he had learned: “Power sia!”, “Our Eris chio bu!”, and “Alamak!”.
2024 BAEKHYUN ASIA TOUR Lonsdaleite in SINGAPORE #Shortshttps://t.co/lhPgBx2uq4#백현 #BAEKHYUN #Lonsdaleite #2024BAEKHYUNASIATOUR
— BAEKHYUN_official (@BAEKHYUN_INB100) March 29, 2024
Notably, Baekhyun’s solo music has garnered widespread acclaim for its effortlessly enjoyable nature, characterized by smooth, sultry R&B vibes. Fortunately for the audience, they were treated to a wide array of these soulful tunes across his extensive solo discography, including ‘UN Village’, ‘Love Scene’, ‘Cry For Love’, ‘Underwater’, and ‘Bambi’ among others. For fans who have yearned for Baekhyun’s return to Singapore since the last time in September 2019 — when EXO performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium for their fifth concert — the experience was nothing short of a thorough treat.
Of course, no K-Pop concert is complete without a lively segment, and Baekhyun certainly delivered the fun with upbeat fan favourites 'Poppin', 'R U Ridin'?', 'Betcha', and 'Candy'. The vibrant, playful energy of this segment was only amplified further with each song, thanks to his charming displays of aegyo for adoring fans, perfectly complemented by the pink rabbit-eared beanie he had on.
Even through the encore, in which we saw him return to the stage with an electrifying excerpt of ‘PARANOIA’, the groovy and jazzy ‘Privacy’, his clean and captivating cover of BoA’s ‘Garden In The Air’ and the ever-so enchanting ‘Amusement Park’, he continued to sport the same beanie — a delightful display of his versatility across a diverse array of genres with a whimsically contrasting touch. Nevertheless, the fans loved it, just as they did the rest of the concert — evidenced by the screams, “wo ai ni’s” (“I love you”), and “Baekhyun-ah jebal’s” (“Please, Baekhyun-ah”) heard throughout the show.
Beyond his growth as a soloist — from the elusive ‘UN Village’ to boyishly upbeat ‘Candy’, before transitioning with the poised, polished ‘Bambi’ — LONSDALEITE seemed more like a culmination of Baekhyun’s evolution as an artist, dating back to his debut as a member of EXO, his foray into sub-units and groups beyond his own, and now with the establishment of his own agency.
Certainly, any K-Pop fan who has followed a group’s journey and witnessed its members embark on solo endeavours can relate to this sentiment: There’s an indescribable feeling of pride in being able to watch an idol come into their own. This is especially true for someone as celebrated as Baekhyun, for whom this solo concert has been a long time coming, and it’s clear that the wait has well been worth it. With every performance and each milestone in his career, Baekhyun fearlessly stretches the boundaries of his artistry, and I can’t help but feel a profound sense of optimism for the endless possibilities that lie ahead in his future.
Setlist:
- Diamond
- Playboy
- Stay Up
- Ice Queen
- UN Village
- Love Scene
- Bungee
- Love Again
- Cry For Love
- Ghost
- Underwater
- Bambi
- Poppin’
- R U Ridin’?
- Betcha
- Candy
- PARANOIA
- Privacy
- Garden In The Air
- Amusement Park
Words by Louisa May Chan
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