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Dyani R.  On April 15, Korean rock band ONEWE brought their signature sound and heartfelt energy to Boston with a sold-out performance at Sonia in Cambridge, marking a standout stop on their debut world tour, ‘O! NEW E!volution Ⅳ.’ Known for blending the raw energy of rock with the polish and emotional depth of K-pop, ONEWE proved themselves not only as skilled musicians but as powerful live performers who know how to connect with an audience. From the moment doors opened, the venue was buzzing. WEVE, official name for ONEWE’s fans, packed every corner of the intimate space, their excitement palpable. It was clear this show was more than just a concert—it was a moment fans had been waiting for, and the atmosphere reflected it. Sonia, beloved for its warm acoustics and up-close stage view, proved to be the perfect setting for such a highly anticipated night.  ONEWE didn’t keep the crowd waiting long. The band launched into their opening number with commanding presence and high energy, immediately drawing everyone in. Their setlist offered a comprehensive journey through their discography, including tracks from their latest album, ‘WE: Dream Chaser’, released just over a month earlier on March 5. Each song was performed with precision and passion, showcasing the band’s musical range and onstage chemistry. Lead vocalist Yonghoon’s powerful voice filled the venue with emotion, while Kanghyun's expressive guitar solos elevated each track with depth and artistry. Harin on drums and Giuk on bass delivered a tight, driving rhythm section, and multi-instrumentalist Dongmyeong brought both musical versatility and charm to the performance. Together, they created a sound that was both rich and intimate. As the concert progressed, the crowd’s energy only intensified. Fans waved lightsticks, sang along to every word, and responded to the band’s every gesture with enthusiasm. Proving that there was no language barrier when it came to their music. ONEWE clearly felt that energy and gave it back in kind, engaging with the audience throughout the night with gratitude and warmth. One particularly emotional highlight came midway through the set when the band paused to introduce a sentimental song. Speaking directly to the audience, they shared that even if fans couldn’t understand the Korean lyrics, they hoped the song would evoke thoughts of their parents. The moment struck a deep chord—especially for those who had brought family members along—and the band gave a heartfelt shoutout to the parents in attendance before beginning the performance. It was a simple gesture, but one that exemplified ONEWE’s ability to create meaningful, inclusive moments for all listeners.  By the time the final note rang out, it was clear the Boston stop had been more than just another city on the map—it was a milestone for both the band and their fans. The evening was a celebration of music, emotion, and connection. For many in the crowd, it wasn’t just about seeing ONEWE live; it was about being part of something bigger—a shared experience that will be remembered long after the tour has ended. As ONEWE continues their global journey, the response from the Boston audience underscores a larger truth: their music transcends borders, and their message—rooted in sincerity, passion, and artistry—resonates deeply across cultures. As ONEWE finishes out their first North American tour, it is evident that this will not be the last time they meet with US fans or bring their talents to the West. 
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Justine M.  On a gusty April 18th evening, CNBLUE stormed the Knockdown Center in Brooklyn with their “VOYAGE into X” tour, delivering a performance that swept Boice, their official fandom name, off their feet. Despite the sun shining bright throughout the day, as the sun began to set, winds picked up and left fans shivering from both the chill and excitement. Doors opened promptly at 7:00pm for GA, and a mixture of new and old fans trickled into the Knockdown Center—a former door factory turned industrial-chic concert venue. Fans were greeted by staff handing out blue light sticks, a poster, and a fan project banner, which featured guidelines on the back in both Korean and English. As fans continued onward into the venue, they were greeted—well, not by the band members themselves (if only)—but by a backdrop of the official tour poster featuring the trio: Yonghwa, Minhyuk, and Jungshin, perfectly staged for fan photos. Fans wasted no time forming a line to snap pictures before hurrying off to claim the best spot in the house.  As the lights dimmed, the venue became illuminated by blue, glowing light sticks—a mix of both official and show-given ones. As Boice erupted into cheers, towering columns of smoke burst from the stage, signaling the start of the main event. The trio walked onto the stage as the opening chords of “In My Head” echoed throughout the venue, with Yonghwa’s voice piercing through the instrumental to scream, “Everybody in my,” amping the crowd for the start of the song. The band showed no signs of slowing down, keeping the energy high as they jumped right into their next two songs—both personal favorites of mine—“Where You Are (English)” and “I’m Sorry.” Boice jumped along, cheering louder than ever whenever a solo ripped through the venue—whether from a strum or a surge of drums—singing in unison and hitting every fan chant on cue. As some who enjoys their show from the back, I can say CNBLUE could be heard from every part of the venue, even outside. By this point, over fifteen minutes of solos, screams, and nonstop energy had passed before the band finally paused to catch their breath, grab some water, and give the crowd a moment to do the same. Each member took time to greet and speak to the audience, expressing their excitement, joy, and gratitude for finally being back in New York City, and thanking fans for their continued support. For many in the crowd, it was their first time seeing CNBLUE live, and the band made sure it would be a night to remember. Taking his time to speak to the crowd and soak it all in, Yongwha made sure to tell the audience how much he loved New York, even giving Los Tacos No. 1 a special shout out which garnered laughs from fans and security, segueing into all the food CNBLUE had gotten to enjoy on their visit. If there’s one thing New York City is known for, it’s our sights and food.  Yonghwa took a moment to explain the meaning behind the title of their new album, X. He shared that “X” not only symbolizes ten—marking their tenth album—but also represents “infinite possibilities.” “Through this album and through this tour,” he said, “we just wanted to show off energy with no limits.” And for the entire two-hour and thirty-minute set, CNBLUE did just that. CNBLUE performed a mixture of new and old songs, delivering some of their most powerful and emotional hits like “Cold Love” and “Then, Now and Forever,” alongside high-energy anthems like “In My Head” and “Tattoo” that kept the crowd moving. Of course, the band had to treat fans to their most popular track, “I’m a Loner,” but also hit fans with other throwbacks like “Love” and “Coffee Shop,” sparking loud singalongs and waves of nostalgia throughout the crowd. As the night began to wind down, CNBLUE played their 'last three songs'—we all knew there was an encore coming, but let’s play along. The band brought the energy to new heights with “Cinderella,” “Between Us,” and “Radio,” as the crowd often sang alongside the band. Together, CNBLUE and the audience echoed the final 'whoas' of “Radio,” and with that, Yonghwa thanked New York, proclaimed his love, and walked off—for what seemed like the end of the show. That didn’t stop the crowd from immediately chanting “CNBLUE” and “encore,” determined to bring the band back. After five minutes, the lights dimmed once more and shifted to their bright, signature blue, prompting fans to erupt in cheers. CNBLUE returned to the stage, taking their time to joke with fans and thank them again before transitioning into a beautiful piano melody played by Yonghwa, signaling the start of the encore with “Can’t Stop.” Taking a brief intermission before their last song, CNBLUE somehow got New York City to follow the steps from Yonghwa’s TikTok perfectly: “1. Silent. 2. Say Yes. 3. Loud and Screaming.” Based on the TikToks and Reels posted, it’s safe to say New York passed with flying colors. The band closed their encore with the energetic and heartfelt 'Young Forever'—a song about holding onto youth and going after your dreams, making it a fitting end to a night that meant a lot to both the band and their fans. After countless cheers, dancing, and even a few tears, it was finally time to say goodbye to CNBLUE. The musical journey CNBLUE took fans on felt like a full-circle moment—a perfect blend of nostalgia, fresh beginnings, and a powerful reminder of the band’s longevity, enduring presence, and perseverance, both as musicians and as artists. Even as a trio, they commanded every corner of the Knockdown Center, leaving their mark on that stage. New York City got Yonghwa’s stamp of 'Best Concert of His Whole Life,' and maybe he says that at every show—but honestly, that still feels like a win to me. With a promise from the band to return to New York soon, fans are left eagerly anticipating what’s next from CNBLUE.  The B.E.L.U. Lineup Team  Credit: LIVE NATION On April 6, 2025 in the coveted Brooklyn Paramount, the K-pop boy group TREASURE delivered a breathtaking opening show of their first US Tour, Special Moment. In anticipation of their long awaited first US appearance nearly five years after their debut, fans came out more than 24 hours before the show to line up outside the venue and try to secure as good of a spot as possible in the audience. Leading up to the show, the lines outside were bustling full of excited Treasure Makers (the official name given to TREASURE’s fandom, Teume for short), many whom were about to see TREASURE perform for the very first time. As the doors opened, fans began filing into the floor and the balcony of the historic all-standing venue. However, unlike at a typical general admission style music hall where the atmosphere is usually very intimate, the Brooklyn Paramount's opulent grand foyer adorned in gold reliefs helped maintain a larger than life feeling - a perfect place for TREASURE’s highly anticipated American debut performance. Promptly at 8 PM, the lights dimmed and the crowd went wild as TREASURE opened up with a series of energetic, fully choreographed performances to some of their most popular songs, including “JIKJIN", “BONA BONA”, “BOY” (a personal favorite), and “I LOVE YOU”, in that order. Although the stage was on the smaller side, TREASURE showed their talent and chemistry as the ten members executed flawless formation changes and filled up the entire width of the stage. It was almost hard to know where to look because they all had their own unique auras that captivated whenever each members’ parts came up.  With the energy in the venue at a high, TREASURE welcomed their NYC Teumes with member introductions and some playful energy checks to keep the crowd on their feet. The concert then immediately moved into unit performance territory to change up the pace and show the group’s depth and diversity in discography. While each unit was phenomenal and unlike the next, the rap trio unit (ft. members Asahi, Haruto, and Hyunsuk) was the most standout in my opinion. They came together with two songs “G.O.A.T” and “VolKno”, some of the most hype songs of the night. Needless to say, Treasure Makers were jumping and fist bumping along the whole time. TREASURE then proceeded to show their duality with a different, cuter side; they came out with new outfits and a boyfriend-esque concept. The members enchanted the stage with one of their latest tracks, “YELLOW”, and had Treasure Maker certainly giggling and kicking their feet to “SARURU”. After Teume were attacked with TREASURE’s adorable side and romantic lyrics, the energy surged again until they “ended” the night with their viral “DARARI” and “HELLO”. However as in typical K-Pop concert fashion, this wasn’t the true end as an encore followed. Loud chants from Teume invited TREASURE back to the stage one last time for their encore, where they had fun splashing water on fans, giving high fives, and taking fans’ phones to do selfie videos. They even took a fan’s American flag with a picture of the group printed on it, and flexed it as if to show that they were proud to be in the US as a team at last. The encore medley of “GOING CRAZY/ B.L.T./ ORANGE” was especially touching to Teume as the performance radiated the TREASURE that they’ve always known ~ colorful, lively, and full of love. It was also an homage to TREASURE’s journey to finally achieving their dreams and you could feel their gratefulness and happiness during the performance. This show was truly like their namesake, an absolute treasure. It was amazing to have gotten to experience this first with so many fans around me, and the phenomenal performance affirms that TREASURE’s future is nothing but bright.  [Mini Interview] NEWBEAT’s Bold Beginning: A Rookie Group With Raw Energy and Radical Vision4/9/2025 Deborah Rodriguez  Beat Interactive In the ever-evolving world of K-pop, a fresh voice has entered the scene, and it's one you won’t want to miss. On behalf of The B.E.LU. Lineup, I had the privilege of joining a roundtable interview with NEWBEAT (뉴비트), a newly debuted seven-member boy group under BEAT Interactive. Formerly known pre-debut as HinLOVE (하이앤러브) or HIGH&LOW (하이앤로), NEWBEAT, affectionately shortened to NBT, has already made waves with their authentic sound, bold messaging, and powerful presence. Consisting of Park Minseok, Hong Minsung, Jeon Yeoyeojeong, Choi Seohyun, Kim Taeyang, Jo Yunhu, and Kim Riwoo, NBT officially debuted on March 24, 2025, with their first full-length album RAW AND RAD. But make no mistake, this wasn’t an overnight success story.  Beat Interactive The Road to Debut: A Journey of Growth and Grit
Before stepping into the spotlight, NEWBEAT carved their path through years of training and hands-on experience. Their pre-debut days included busking tours across the U.S. and performing as backup dancers for senior group A.C.E. These opportunities not only sharpened their stage skills but also helped them form genuine connections with international fans. Now under a supportive agency, the group expressed immense gratitude for finally debuting with their full-length album, a feat that seemed both daunting and thrilling when first proposed. “Over time, we learned how to turn that pressure into confidence, and now we're so excited for our debut and cannot wait to share what we have worked on.” – Jeon Yeoyeojeong Meet Neurocorn: A Mascot With a Message NBT’s mascot, Neurocorn, isn’t your typical unicorn. Born without a horn, the character embarks on a journey of self-discovery, only to learn that being different isn’t something to hide but something to celebrate. “The unicorn comes to a realization that it's not wrong to not have a horn and everyone is different. This message is expressed through our song, connecting our sense of freedom, challenge, and ambition.” – Jeon Yeoyeojeong A Sonic Spectrum: Wild, Soft, and Everything in Between RAW AND RAD lives up to its name by showcasing the duality of NEWBEAT’s artistry. The album blends old-school hip-hop nostalgia with modern K-pop flair, embracing imperfections while highlighting versatility. The pre-release single “JeLLo” (March 5, 2025) kicks things off with a playful, kitschy vibe, while “HICCUPS” injects high energy and quirky soundscapes, including a self-recorded hiccup that one member proudly revealed was a hit with producers.When asked about the distinct funk elements in their pre-debut singles, Jeon Yeoyeojeong explained: “Our two pre-debut singles and the title track have this old-school hip-hop vibe. During our trainee days, we practiced and covered a lot of first-generation K-pop idols to learn and approach closely to the old hip-hop genre, and we were inspired by that experience when working on our album.” At the heart of the album is the title track “Flip the Coin,” a statement piece that embodies NBT’s ambition to “flip the K-pop industry” with their rawness and innovation.When asked which song best represents them, multiple members agreed: “We Are Young.” This bright, spirited track doubles as the OST for their own reality content series documenting a 100km journey across Korea, a fitting metaphor for their debut voyage. The song channels themes of youth, courage, and limitless potential, reminding both fans and the group that being young means having the freedom to explore, challenge, and grow. Behind the Scenes: From Studio Laughs to Busking in the States The group described their recording sessions as intense but rewarding, particularly for a full-length debut album. One charming anecdote involved all seven members walking around practicing hiccup sounds like a choir, which is an endearing memory tied to “HICCUPS.” The group also chose their final U.S. busking performance in New York City’s Central Park as one of their favorite pre-debut memories. They performed a show-stopping version of Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You” with fellow dance crews. “It felt like a mega-crew finale,” Hong Minsung said with a smile. A Glimpse Into Their Goals Now that they were about to make their official debut, I asked what kind of goals the team had set for themselves. Hong Minsung shared with heartfelt honesty: “The short-term goal of our group is to win the Rookie of the Year Award since that award can only be won by a newbie group. We always have big goals, but we strive to stay humble, learn, and communicate with our fans. I believe communicating with our fans will also enhance the quality of our music and performance. At the end of the day, we want to earn the title of a 'growing and improving idol.’” It’s that mix of ambition and humility that makes NEWBEAT not just exciting to watch, but deeply admirable. What Sets NEWBEAT Apart NEWBEAT doesn't just aim to entertain, they want to empower. Their music is a rallying cry for authenticity, a reminder that being different is beautiful. Even as rookies, they exhibit a clarity in concept and purpose that’s rare to find. “RAW AND RAD represents pure, raw passion and the spirit of challenge. While we acknowledge the imperfections and flaws within our rawness, I believe it is also a result that fully captures our dreams, passion, and mindset.” – Park Minseok The Road Ahead While their short-term dream is to win Rookie of the Year, NEWBEAT’s long-term vision is rooted in humility, growth, and connection. They’re committed to expanding their discography, strengthening their performances, and staying close to the fans who’ve supported them from day one. As they wrapped up the interview with cheerful goodbyes and bright smiles, one thing was clear: NEWBEAT isn’t just here to play the game—they’re here to change it. “This was NEWBEAT~ Thank you for having us!” Special thank you to Helix Publicity and Beat interactive for this opportunity! |