NCT WISH Concludes First Tour in Seoul, Heralds New Chapter with 'Ode to Love'

"I remember all 30 performances vividly."

NCT WISH (Sion, Riku, Yuushi, Jaehui, Ryo, Sakuya) concluded their first tour in Seoul, marking a new beginning. Successfully wrapping up their solo tour, they are set to release their first full album 'Ode to Love', showcasing expanded music and performances that signal the start of their next chapter.

From April 17 to 19, the 'NCT WISH 1st CONCERT TOUR 'INTO THE WISH: Our WISH' ENCORE IN SEOUL' was held at the KSPO DOME in Songpa-gu, Seoul, with all seats sold out. This concert marked the final leg of their first tour, and the third day of their Seoul performances following April 17 and 18. NCT WISH proved their growth by performing at the KSPO DOME just two years after their debut.

The concert opened with Chapter 0 'INTO THE WISH'. As the members appeared in pure white outfits, the venue heated up, and the opening song 'Steady' began, prompting cheers from the audience. Fans responded with a chorus, raising the energy of the concert amidst the starlit lights and waves of light sticks.

Chapter 1 'Wishful Madness' followed, starting with Jaehui's sweet piano performance of 'Skate', and continued with 'On & On', 'Reel-ationship', 'Wishful Winter (Korean Ver.)', 'FAR AWAY', and 'Design + Outro Dance Break', completing a flow that oscillated between emotion and performance.

The 'Design' stage particularly caught attention with a performance involving water. The members danced on water, splashing with their feet and slicing through the waves with their hands. Riku laughed, saying, "It feels like I'm dancing on water for the first time in my life," while Ryo added, "I never thought we'd be doing this ourselves, having only seen it on other stages." Sakuya also mentioned, "We prepared to make it look more spectacular by splashing water." It was a stage that showcased a new side, different from their usual refreshing image.

Through their first solo tour, the members' stage presence matured significantly. Sion confessed, "On the first day, I was tense even before going on stage," while Riku noted, "As the performances went on, I relaxed and enjoyed the stage more." This change was evident on stage. The members naturally elicited audience responses with phrases like "Scream, Sijeuni" and "Make some noise," quickly elevating the audience's enthusiasm.

In Chapter 2 'Our WISH', they started with 'We Go! (Korean Ver.)', riding trolleys to get closer to the 2nd and 3rd-floor seats and interacting with fans. The atmosphere heightened with performances of 'Hands Up (Korean Ver.)', 'WISH', and 'Melt Inside My Pocket'. Especially during 'WISH', the entire audience sang along, showcasing the bond with fans who have been part of the tour's journey.

The concert's narrative expanded through a VCR. Based on the core concepts of 'Eros' and 'Anteros' from their first full album 'Ode to Love', the video depicted one love through two emotions, hinting at the transformation into 'NCT WISH 2.0'. Sion appeared as a butterfly-shaped Cupid aiming arrows at the members, and Sakuya opened a door to a new world, serving as a key device to shift the concert's flow.

This flow seamlessly transitioned into the 'Sticky' stage. As the song began, explosive cheers erupted from the audience. The live performance elicited a hot response, with the entire venue resonating with choruses and cheers. Particularly, when Riku posed with his chin resting among the members at the start of the stage, gasps were heard, and the following dance break amplified the cheers, reaching the peak of the concert's energy.

Chapter 3 'Acceleration' featured performances of 'NASA (Short Ver.)', 'CHOO CHOO', 'Videohood', and 'COLOR', instantly shifting the atmosphere. The intense performances with all-black styling contrasted with their usual bright image, showcasing NCT's unique energy. Especially during 'NASA' and 'COLOR', the members gave their all, maximizing energy, which was transmitted to the audience, eliciting explosive cheers. In the fast-paced flow, they clearly expressed their determination to leap towards bigger stages.

The encore, Chapter 4 'NEXT CHAPTER', began with the title track 'Ode to Love'. On a stage themed around the temple of 'Anteros', Yuushi appeared with butterfly wings, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

The title track 'Ode to Love', unveiled for the first time that day, amplified the team's identity of freshness. The familiar melody and soaring vocals combined to create a stage with a different color. The repetitive melody of the chorus left a strong impression, and its addictive nature lingered even after the stage ended.

The production also enhanced the concert's completeness. Star-shaped confetti showered down, filling the venue with sparkling light, and the ceiling lights and light sticks combined to create a spectacle as if entering a night sky.

The approximately 3-hour and 30-minute concert heightened emotional intensity during the encore. The members looked at the audience, making eye contact with fans, and completed the concert by breathing together until the end.

At the end of the concert, the members shared heartfelt thoughts with the fans. Sakuya said, "I remember all 30 performances vividly. I hope you leave with excitement rather than regret," and Ryo expressed, "We could perform thanks to Sijeuni, and I'm already looking forward to the next tour." Jaehui conveyed, "I'm proud of the staff, members, and Sijeuni," and Yuushi said, "I was happy to perform in front of you." Riku shared, "I was happier seeing the members happy."

Especially, Sion expressed gratitude to each member, showcasing their teamwork. He sincerely said, "Thanks to the members, I could work in a better atmosphere," and to the fans, he said, "I'll always be by your side, so feel free to come by," concluding the concert.

This concert was not just a finale but a starting point announcing the next phase of NCT WISH.

Concluding their first tour with the Seoul concert, NCT WISH will release their first full album 'Ode to Love' on the 20th, continuing their new chapter.

Cristy Youn, TenAsia Reporter cristyyoun@tenasia.co.kr