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Dyani R.  On a buzzing night at Racket NYC, rising 8-member Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT lit up the stage for their first-ever U.S. fan meeting, SHŪKAI. From the moment fans began filling the venue, excitement was in the air—conversations swirled about setlists and favorite songs, and the anticipation was palpable. As the lights dimmed and the group took the stage, the energy erupted. Opening with fan-favorite hits “Don’t Tell Nobody” and “KAWASAKI,” ONE OR EIGHT immediately set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Their synchronized choreography and commanding stage presence made it clear: these boys came ready to leave their mark. After the explosive start, the members took a moment to personally introduce themselves--Souma, Mizuki, Tsubasa, Reia, Ryota, Takeru, Yuga, and Neo—each bringing their unique charm to the spotlight. Following introductions, they briefly exited the stage, setting the scene for the next act: solo and unit performances. These sets offered fans a deeper look into the members’ individual talents, from sharp rap verses to emotionally resonant vocals and dynamic dance breaks.  What made SHŪKAI particularly special was its emphasis on fan interaction. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration. The group split into two teams, “Team Brooklyn” and “Team Yankees,” engaging in playful competitions including charades and a soccer juggling challenge. Laughter and cheers echoed throughout the venue, and by the end of the games, Team Brooklyn claimed the win. These moments of levity added a personal, heartfelt touch, allowing fans to connect with the members beyond the music. Midway through the evening, ONE OR EIGHT unveiled a sneak peek of their future sound with unreleased tracks like “My Lil Heart Attack” and “Day Ones.” The new songs were met with enthusiastic applause, a promising sign of what’s to come from this talented group. As the show neared its end, the full group reunited onstage to deliver more high-energy performances, closing out the night with a burst of emotion and power. During their final moments on stage, they took the time to wave, form hearts with their hands, and pose for photos—grateful, present, and fully engaged with the fans who supported them. With SHŪKAI, ONE OR EIGHT proved they are far more than just “the new kids on the block.” Their blend of musical range, authentic fan engagement, and magnetic stage presence paves the way for a bright future not only in Japan but on the global stage. And as anyone in attendance that night could tell you—this certainly won’t be the last time ONE OR EIGHT lights up a stage in the U.S. 
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Jennifer A.  On April 14th, 2025 the members of 8TURN enthusiastically hit the stage at The Plaza Live in Orlando. This would make it the third successful stop of their first world tour, ‘8TURNRISE’. Many fans excitedly stood in line wrapping the venue waiting to get in. As the show doors opened, fans had the opportunity to leave a handwritten note for the members of 8TURN. These were later randomly picked and read on stage by the members themselves! While conversing with a fan writing words of encouragement on her sticky note, she shared how excited she was to see 8TURN perform as she had been a fan since their debut in 2023. She also thought it was cool that they were able to make a stop visiting floridan fans as many K-pop groups usually do not have stops in Florida.  As the lights dimmed, eager screams filled the venue and a sea of lightsticks appeared in the air. The stage transformed into hues of red lights as the beginning notes of their song ‘WORLD’ started playing. Jaeyun, Myungho, Minho, Yoonsung, Haemin, Kyungmin, Yungyu, and Seungheon hit the stage slowly before breaking into sing and dance. Infectious smiles and high energies transpired through the whole night. Their setlist included other hit songs such as ‘RU-PUM PUM’, ‘EXCEL’, ‘SAY MY NAME’, ‘TIC TAC’, and ‘LEGGO’. The members interacted with fans in the audience often and partook in a couple activities on stage to make the night even more memorable for everyone. This included the members splitting into two groups and making fans scream the loudest for who they thought performed the best dance cover. They jokingly mentioned whoever won the dance challenge would get an extra hour of sleep as the other team would have to get up earlier to get ready at their next tour stop. The songs they danced for this challenge were ‘BOUNCY’ by K-pop group Ateez and ‘Angel Numbers/Ten Toes’ by Chris Brown.  As the show came to an end, all eight members gave fans the last surprise of the night as they stepped off the stage and into the crowd. They handed fans lollipops as they made their way up and down the isles singing. Staff followed all the members around to ensure everyone’s safety.
As I reflect on this night it was definitely one for the books! I along with the B.E.L.U. Team wish them luck on the rest of their tour and hope to see them back in Florida in the future! Lexy E.  The six-member K-pop boy group OnlyOneOf made a much-anticipated return to Texas as part of their “Our Only Odyssey” 2025 North America Tour. Taking the stage in Dallas, the group delivered a powerful and emotionally resonant performance for their devoted fanbase, known as lyOn. Kicking off the night with their high-energy track “dOpamine,” the group immediately set the tone—impressing with razor-sharp choreography and igniting a wave of deafening cheers that echoed throughout the venue. Known for their focus on themes of human connection, OnlyOneOf’s performance felt deeply personal. The crowd’s enthusiasm was matched by the members’ heartfelt comments, as they expressed how much they had missed performing and being reunited with their fans. That genuine bond between artist and audience was at the heart of the entire show. The group poured their all into every moment, delivering a performance that felt extremely polished and emotionally raw. Even from the back of the venue, it was clear just how much thought and effort went into every detail—from their coordinated denim-on-denim outfits adorned with glittering jewels to the way each movement on stage synced perfectly with the lyrics. Midway through the concert, the spotlight shifted to the individual members as they took the stage for their solo performances. Each solo was a standout moment, revealing the group’s versatility. Whether through dance-focused stages that showcased a fresh, more dynamic side of the members, or vocally driven ballads that highlighted their technical skill and emotive delivery, every performance added a new layer to the show’s depth. Later, as the group reunited for slower, more vocal-heavy songs, they demonstrated their vocal strength with harmonies that left a lasting impression.  OnlyOneOf’s passion for their craft was evident throughout the night. Regardless of where they were in the setlist or how exhausted they may have been from touring, they never let their energy waver. Their dedication extended beyond the music—interacting with fans through playful gestures, finger hearts, and waves, they made sure the crowd felt seen and appreciated. During the talking segments, their playful personalities took center stage, including a surprise comedic moment when a picket fan sign of member Rie made a cameo “appearance,” complete with the group giving it a voice and even having it “sing” along. Of course, no OnlyOneOf concert would be complete without a performance of their viral hit “libidO.” The moment the opening notes played, the energy in the room skyrocketed. The crowd erupted in cheers, lightsticks pulsing with excitement as fans sang and danced along. The choreography—frequently viral online—was performed flawlessly, even deep into the set. The group didn’t miss a beat, proving why the song continues to captivate audiences around the world.  As the show came to a close, the members embraced the local spirit by donning cowboy hats for their final goodbyes. It was a bittersweet moment—full of laughter, waves, and a shared sense that something special had just taken place. For both OnlyOneOf and their Dallas fans, it was a night that will be remembered for a long time to come.
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