Photo by: SM Entertainment
On the memorable date of the 18th, the Handball Stadium nestled within Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, became the vibrant venue for the premiere of Kai's solo concert tour entitled 'KAION'.
The concert unfurled in a tapestry of four thematic segments, each reflecting the emotions carried by Kai's diverse song collection: 'The Stranger in the Mirror', 'The Many Selves Within Me', 'All Selves Unite', and 'A New Journey of Mine'. This artistic journey was accentuated by a stage embellished with English typography spelling out 'KAI', harmoniously complemented by evocative video clips, a colossal LED backdrop, and intricate stage props, all working in concert to elevate the visual spectacle.
The audience was greeted by Kai's magnetic presence as he made his grand entrance with 'Sinner' from his third mini album, resplendent in a striking red blouse and pants ensemble. He then captivated his fans with performances of the title track 'Mmmh' from his debut mini album and 'Nothing On Me'. The electrifying ambiance was enriched by the echo of fans chanting Kai's given name, 'Kim Jongin'.
Bearing a radiant smile that signaled his delight at the fans' rapturous cheers, Kai warmly welcomed everyone to his maiden solo concert 'KAION'. He endeavored to bridge the physical gap by engaging with fans in every nook of the venue, affectionately inquiring, "Did you miss me?" He candidly shared, "Today is the second day, and I'm feeling a tad more nervous than yesterday. On the first day, it was the excitement of 'Can I do this?', but today, there's a surge of desire to excel and relish the experience."
The initial act of the concert concluded with riveting renditions of 'Hello Stranger' from his first mini album, the dynamic 'Slidin'' from his third mini album, and 'Ride Or Die' from his debut mini album.
Commencing the second segment, Kai dazzled with his solo dance performances set to the tunes of EXO's beloved songs 'My Lady', 'Baby Don't Cry', and 'Into Your World'. Clad in a sophisticated three-piece suit, Kai delivered solo dance interpretations, while fans passionately sang along, completing the immersive stage experience. His performance of 'Come In' from his second mini album was punctuated with a heart gesture, a symbolic expression of his deep affection for his fans.
Kai shared sentiments with the audience, posing the question, "How was the EXO medley after a long time?" He reflected emotionally, "Dancing while hearing EXO-L's chorus after so long was overwhelming. It unlocked a treasure trove of nostalgic memories. It felt like a moment to journey back from debut to now with all of you, and as 'Into Your World' played, I was on the verge of tears."
He continued with an affectionate promise, "I hope you enjoyed the opening and bridge videos. The feedback was amazing. They depicted the evolution of the new Kai. I wonder if you discovered a new dimension of me. Even after 14 years, there's still so much more to reveal. New facets keep emerging," pledging an eternal connection with his fans.
At this moment, Kai reappeared donning stylish rimless glasses, as he performed 'Vanilla' from his second mini album, followed by the title track 'Peaches', and 'Adult Swim' from his fourth mini album.
Transitioning the musical atmosphere, Kai announced, "I'll change the mood of the songs," as he donned a sophisticated suit jacket. This shift in tone incited explosive audience reactions during performances of 'Wait On Me', the title track from his fourth mini album, 'Pressure', 'Walls Don't Talk', and 'Bomba' from his third mini album.
The concert crescendoed as the third segment unveiled itself. Kai emerged, exuding charisma in a leather jacket and black cap. The performance of an unreleased solo track 'Confession' alongside 'Domino' from his second mini album elevated the concert to its zenith.
Pausing to catch his breath amidst thunderous applause from EXO-L, Kai humorously referred to this part as "the death section." He expressed a heartfelt message: "Through this concert, I aimed to demonstrate that I'm back. I wanted to ensure the time you spent waiting and supporting me was worthwhile. Most importantly, I hoped it might prompt you to reassess your feelings for me. Perhaps think, 'That's why I adore Kai', 'No one satisfies me like Kai does', 'Kai is my true dopamine'—I aspired to reaffirm these sentiments."
With a spirited invitation, Kai encouraged, "Let's go crazy today," as he delivered an exhilarating performance of 'Reason' from his first mini album.
As the concert drew closer to its conclusion, gratitude filled the air. Kai expressed, "Today was genuinely a joyful and satisfying experience. I'm immensely grateful that our members came to watch the performance," he noted, highlighting Suho, Chanyeol, and D.O. He continued, "Thanks to the unwavering support from my brothers, I could bring this concert to life. I am deeply thankful to them and to each of you for being part of my inaugural solo concert 'KAION'. I promise to return with an even more remarkable stage after further growth," wrapping up the third segment with a performance of his fan-favorite solo track 'Rover'.
Despite the curtain having fallen, the chants of 'Kim Jongin' from EXO-L persisted, prompting Kai to deliver an encore with 'Blue' from his second mini album. Kai conveyed his appreciation, "Thank you for the encore," and remarked, "This feels like the most exhilarating performance I've ever done. I expended all my energy during 'Rover'." During a photo session, he was caught by surprise when EXO-L unveiled a heartfelt slogan event proclaiming "Jongin, we love you," which moved him to tears.
In a poignant conclusion, Kai shared, "I'm profoundly touched and overjoyed. This time was filled with a spectrum of emotions. There was fear and countless thoughts, yet during those times, my thoughts always turned to you. I believe I was able to perform this concert by focusing solely on you. When I'm on stage, all I feel is happiness. Today reaffirmed my love for performing in front of you. I'll hold this day in my heart forever," bringing the Seoul concert to an emotional close with 'To Be Honest' from his second mini album.