Since their debut in 2019 with Dalla Dalla (2019), ITZY has been a force to be reckoned with.
But the quintet, composed of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna, posed a question that fans would never have even thought of, at the Singapore leg of their first world tour.
What if ITZY did not exist? “Today, I dreamt about not being in ITZY,” leader Yeji shares a snippet of her nightmare, teary-eyed.
For the whole duration of the show, fans around me have been shouting passionately, cheering fervently throughout their set. But at this moment, a deafening silence fills The Star Theatre.
ITZY staged their first Singapore concert at The Star Theatre. SH Photo: Avier Tan
Her bandmates are quick to comfort her.
“The reason that we’re always able to do well is because of our fans, and thanks for supporting us,” she later adds after composing herself.
“Having a solo concert has always been our dream,” says main dancer Chaeryeong. And it would have been held way earlier, if not for the global pandemic.
Their first headline tour, which local fans waited a good three years for, did live up to its expectations. It was packed with new releases like Boys Like You (2022) and Cheshire (2022).
They did not forget to include all their chart-topping hits like In The Morning (2021), Dalla Dalla (2019) and Wannabe (2020) into their two-hour set as well.
ITZY opens the show with In The Morning (2021). SH Photo: Avier Tan
But it was lengthened by their sincere, yet at times humorous speeches towards the end of the show.
Each member had their own solo performances for a touch of individuality.
Yuna rode a bicycle on to the stage with Maniac (2020) by Conan Gray while Lia covered Taylor Swift’s Red (2012).
Fans were totally oblivious. But lead dancer Yuna sheepishly admitted later that she made a mistake during her performance. “But if you guys like my performance [nevertheless], then I’m so happy”, she squeals.
Now, talk about being a boss – Ryujin did a rendition of Doja Cat’s Boss B*tch (2020). Yeji belted high notes with Dua Lipa’s Hotter Than Hell (2017) and Chaeryeong presented a provocative performance with bloodline (2019) by Ariana Grande.
It’s a great balance between watching the quintet perform as a band, with solo stages packed in between. “I love how each member has their own moment to shine in whatever they’re doing,” says concert-goer Zoie Quek, 19, who bought a Cat 1 ticket.
The quintet mainly boasted a high-octane set with captivating visuals. But there were times when the LED screens on stage went pitch black – in an attempt to channel all attention to their vocals and choreography.
But it’s a pity that the stage set-up was on a smaller scale this time.
Fans sing along to the quintet as they perform Domino (2022). SH Photo: Avier Tan
“The set in the Seoul concert was bigger, with an extended stage for them to interact with fans at different sections,” concert-goer Samantha Voon, 22 tells SeoulHype. She bought tickets to both the Singapore and Seoul shows.
“It’s been three years since we came to Singapore, and I hope we can see you guys in a larger place and a bigger hall [in future],” main rapper Ryujin says.
ITZY THE 1ST WORLD TOUR <CHECKMATE> in #SINGAPORE
“WE’LL HOLD YOU, 있지 잘하고 있다고”
ITZY❤️MIDZY, always holding back each other 🥰
Thank you SINGAPORE!#ITZY #MIDZY @ITZYofficial#ITZY_WORLD_TOUR ✈️ pic.twitter.com/DyRWoA3GF9— ITZY (@ITZYofficial) January 28, 2023
Main dancer Chaeryeong separately promised fans that they’ll be back soon. So it’s only a matter of time before they stage another show here.
