Kim Junsu, known by his stage name XIA, has once again proven his prowess as a solo artist with the successful launch of the second chapter of his 'XIA' brand concert.
According to his agency, Palm Tree Island, Kim Junsu concluded the 'XIA 2025 CONCERT Chapter 2: Festa' with great success, held from October 9 to 12 at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Seoul. This 'Chapter' series concert, held after a year and a half, showcased the identity of Kim Junsu's concerts with a diverse setlist, live band performances, expanded stage production, and a wide range of performances from dance to ballads.
Kim Junsu opened the concert with 'OeO,' accompanied by a sensuous VCR and a grand band sound. His dance performances were filled with precise choreography and energy, while his ballads captivated the audience with his unique emotional expression and voice. The performances of 'Breath,' 'Sunset' + 'Tarantallegra' featured stick performances, completing the signature XIA stage. Ballads like '돌고 돌아도,' '여전히 영원히,' and '가지마' left a lingering impression with their delicate expressiveness.
The concert demonstrated the essence of the 'XIA' brand with high-quality production and stable vocals from start to finish. Following 'Chapter 1: Recreation' in 2023, this second chapter further expanded Kim Junsu's musical world, adding significance as a festival shared with fans.
This was the first time Kim Junsu held a solo concert over four days. Each show was themed with four colors: red, green, blue, and violet, using lighting, projections, and LED walls. Confetti with phrases like "The moment we've been waiting for, our own festival" and "Let's enjoy the Festa!" was uniquely styled for each color, enhancing the concert's completeness.
He performed the remake song '내가 죽으려고 생각한 것은,' released in June, live for the first time, receiving applause for his restrained emotion and deep resonance. He also surprised fans by unveiling '그대 이별은 어떤가요,' a track from his upcoming album set for release next year, offering a special stage for his fans. This concert marked the starting point for Kim Junsu's new chapter and expanded the narrative of the 'Chapter' series.
Before performing the final song '다른 누구도 대신 못할 너,' Kim Junsu expressed, "I always worry if fans will come to see each performance, but your enthusiastic support creates miraculous moments." Responding to encore requests, he returned to the stage to perform 'Pit a pat,' engaging closely with the audience. The finale was marked by a 20-minute 'N쿠란보' with the song '사쿠란보' (さくらんぼ).
The concert was praised as a genuine festival shared between Kim Junsu and his fandom 'Coconut.' It attracted a diverse audience, including long-time fans, teenagers who discovered him through musicals, and family groups. Once again, he proved the weight of the name 'XIA' with a performance that transcended generations and genres.
After completing the four-day 'XIA 2025 CONCERT Chapter 2: Festa,' Kim Junsu will continue his activities with the musical 'Beetlejuice,' opening at the LG Art Center in Seoul on December 16.
By Min-Kyung Lee, Ten Asia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr