Xdinary Heroes Captivate Fans with Energetic Finale in Seoul

"What's up, babies!" (Jooyeon)

Displaying a charm beyond his years, Jooyeon greeted fans with a playful "What's up, babies!" following the previous day's "Pretty ones." He promised to alternate between the two nicknames, setting a lively tone for the concert.

Xdinary Heroes (often abbreviated as XH) held their 'Beautiful Mind World Tour Finale in Seoul' concert on the 23rd at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul. This marked the final show of their world tour and the third consecutive day of performances in Seoul. The band made their debut at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium four years after their debut.

Despite being an encore concert, Xdinary Heroes revamped their setlist to offer a fresh experience. They performed new tracks from their latest mini-album 'LXVE to DEAT,' including 'Spoiler!!!', 'Love Tug of War', and 'ICU'. These songs were crafted with the intention of engaging with the audience, who responded with boundless energy. The crowd stood and danced throughout the nearly four-hour performance, except during ballads, as the venue reverberated with the sound of drums and the audience's enthusiasm.

The concert's production also saw changes. During 'Walking to the Moon' and 'PLUTO', balloons shaped like Earth, the Moon, and Pluto floated inside the venue, with fans turning on their phone flashlights to become stars in the universe. Jooyeon moved the audience by saying, "Villains (the fandom name) are XH's universe."

As a band, instrumental solos were a highlight. During 'Sucker Punch!', O.de and Junhan ascended lifts for solo performances, interacting with fans on the second and third floors. Junhan's guitar solo during 'PLUTO' and Gaon's during 'Walking to the Moon' enriched the stage. Berklee College of Music alumnus Gunil captivated with a drum solo in 'LOVE and FEAR'. The intro of 'Break the Brake' showcased the members' musical prowess, with Gunil standing to play the drums, a rare sight that elicited cheers. Junhan added a special touch by playing a riff from DAY6's 'Shoot Me', delighting the audience.

Emotions ran high as Jooyeon was moved to tears during 'Save Me', overwhelmed by the fans' singing. He shared, "For three days, 'Save Me' was the hardest. I don't cry when I listen to it alone, but I do when I sing it in front of you. Your gaze and voices bring out so many emotions. I hope our concert helps you shake off your troubles and find happiness. I do the same while singing. Thank you for letting me cry and for your love. I'll continue making music for a long time." He bowed deeply to the audience.

Xdinary Heroes have grown significantly, performing at larger venues twice this year. O.de, drenched in sweat, expressed his joy, "Walking around the audience, I felt like a five-year-old. It was tiring but happy, thanks to you. I know life can't always be happy, but I wish you endless happiness."

The band's rapid growth has also brought challenges. O.de shared, "The distance from the audience is increasing, which is both a blessing and a concern. I hope you don't think your love doesn't reach us. We can't be without you. Don't go anywhere." He added, "Until we're white-haired Xdinary Heroes, naturally, not from dyeing, let's stay together."

Gunil reflected on the responsibilities of being an entertainer, "As we approach our fourth anniversary, I've thought a lot about this profession. It's easy to become arrogant, thinking you're special. As Xdinary Heroes gained success, I felt relieved and confident. It's pride if positive, but arrogance if excessive. It's an emotion to be cautious of."

With larger venues comes greater responsibility. Gunil humorously shared, "Near our agency, there's a restaurant with a banner saying, 'We only use real broth. If we use powder or milk, we'll compensate you double.' Thanks to you, we're performing in such a great venue. When people get used to something, they tend to compromise. We'll remember your love isn't a given and strive to give our best on every stage, like making real broth without powder."

Gaon shared his personal journey, "There was a time I disliked myself. I decided to change on January 1st this year and haven't looked back. My motivation is you. My goal is to believe in myself. I'm stronger than ever and know how to love myself. If anyone still doubts themselves, take courage. This is the happiest I've been." He promised to maintain his energy, "Whether I'm 100 or 200, I'll keep running and playing."

Jungsu opened up about his fears, "The stage was a scary place because I felt I had to prove myself. This job is joyful, but performing was daunting. I even questioned if I chose the wrong career. But through concerts, I've changed. The stage isn't scary anymore. Concerts are about having fun and creating happy memories with you."

"Let's make a promise here. We'll stay together until we reach Wembley, right?" The song 'Lost and Found', once written imagining an empty venue, resonated in a stadium filled with thousands of lights. Xdinary Heroes, having crafted their growth story on stages worldwide, are accelerating towards even bigger stages.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr