The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) South Korean indie rock band, The Rose, brought their latest Once Upon A WRLD Tour to London, stopping at the Indigo at The O2 for two shows on June 17th and 19th.
I had an absolute blast reviewing and shooting their previous tour when they performed at the OVO Wembley Arena. And when Woosung performed at Troxy a few months ago? Another fantastic show! So here I am, excited to review their June 17th performance. It’s always a good time with them!
While preparing for this show, I wondered what led them to choose a smaller venue compared to the OVO Wembley Arena, despite scheduling two dates. My first thought after listening to their new album was that they might be aiming for a more intimate, perhaps even acoustic, performance. And let me tell you now, my feelings were spot on!
Before we dive into the magical night, let’s refresh our memory on the band. The Rose is a South Korean indie rock band, renowned for their vulnerable and emotional music, beautifully blended with pop and rock. Their music often explores themes of loneliness, healing, and personal growth, which resonates deeply with their fandom, the Black Roses.
Unlike many K-pop groups, The Rose started by busking and creating independent music. They began as a trio called Windfall (which is also the name of their own label) before recruiting Woosung and evolving into the band we all know and love today. Over the years, The Rose’s success has been unstoppable, both domestically and internationally. Their music has charted on Billboard, and they’ve performed at major festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and our beloved BST in Hyde Park.
The Rose is composed of four members: Kim Woosung (vocals, guitar), Park Dojoon (vocals, keyboard), Lee Hajoon (drums), and Lee Taegyeom (bass). You might remember his previous name, Lee Jaehyeong, as Taegyeom recently legally changed his name.
With that little introduction, let’s now dive into the night—a show that would take us on a trip: The Rose’s journey. The band was about to guide us through a different type of show than we’re used to, and believe me, you won’t be disappointed.
As soon as I stepped into the venue, I could feel the love and excitement radiating from all the Black Roses. I couldn’t help but notice a different setup on stage: four stools with some instruments, a standing mic, and a big curtain at the back. My first thought was, “Wow, they really made it extra cozy and intimate…” But I was not ready for what was going to happen behind that curtain.
The show started with a beautiful voiceover, telling the story of a boy full of curiosity who embarked on a journey looking for something, but he didn’t know what to look for or where to find it. Only one thing was clear in this boy’s trip: dreams – his dreams, your dreams, our dreams. It was a beautiful story, perfectly setting the scene for this storytelling performance.
The band made their quiet entrance while fans cheered enthusiastically. They kicked off the show with five acoustic songs. “Ticket To The Sky” was first in line, with Woosung showcasing his strong vocals from the very beginning. “Childhood” and “Definition of Ugly is” were up next, both calm performances where the focus was entirely on their pure and raw talent. Three songs in, and we slowly started to feel the mood change with the upcoming two songs. Imagine this show like an arch: it began calmly and moodily, then gradually moved towards a more energetic set.
“She’s in the Rain” was up next, and the mood shifted immediately. Everyone on stage was playing an instrument and radiating more energy, vibing with the audience, while “Tomorrow” wrapped up the acoustic opening act with even more intensity. What a way to start the show!
The fun was just about to begin! For the second act, the curtain dropped, revealing the true stage setup. It was a stage full of personality, exuding a cosiness that told a story. The stage was built with a bed in the middle – which turned out to be Taegyeom’s actual real bed, how crazy is that?! – a leather couch on the left side, and a play area on the right, full of details and little Easter eggs, I’m sure!
Act 2 started with “Nebula,” their latest track. Listening to it live definitely made me fall in love with it even more! “Lifeline” was next; I always love this song, especially live! The band then performed the classics “You’re Beautiful” and “Shift.”
It was finally time for the first fan interaction. The band mentioned that it had been a long time since they performed this close to their fans, where they could clearly see and hear them! This was the whole meaning of this show and tour: to take a little step back to get closer to the fans.
After wrapping up the chat, The Rose performed “Slowly,” “Nauseous,” and “Yes.” Then it was the turn of two of my all-time favourites: “Back to Me,” which had fireworks playing on the screen, bringing their usual rock energy, and “Alive,” which they performed with a rock/techno vibe. I was obsessed with it! I love when artists play the “goldies” but give them a little twist! They then wrapped up the act with “RED.”
It was time for another chat with the fans, where they took a moment to reminisce. They spoke about how much they enjoyed their first time in London years ago and how excited they were to perform here again. Back then, they even hung UK flags on their mic stands, that’s how excited they were! They mentioned that this tour is a reflection of their evolution, from writing their first song in a tiny bedroom and busking on the streets to where they stand now in their career.
Time for the next act! “Sorry” was as flawless as always, followed by “Eclipse” and the sweet and warm “Beauty and the Beast,” and the iconic “Nevermind.” “Wonder” was up next with a good rock vibe, bringing the charisma of The Rose that we always loved! They then continued with “Sour,” which was so good and a little emotional because the band started to thank the fans for coming – always the first sign that the show is about to end.
They then played “Cosmo,” which brought such positive energy. Woosung talked about how we are all the same and how important it is to share love with each other. Everyone was dancing and vibing. As the show was coming to an end, they slowed down the mood a little with “O” from the new album, sweet and calm. This made for the perfect closer, completing the arch they started earlier with the acoustic set; the arch truly became a circle in this story.
This whole show was a one-of-a-kind experience. I felt like The Rose themselves held my hand while they told their story through visuals and music. They handed out red roses to the fans, as they usually do, which is always a very touching gesture. And while saying their last goodbye, they exited through a staged door on the side of the cosy set, making their departure very special and unique.
This entire show was thoroughly entertaining. The storytelling was amazing, the stage design was spot on, the visuals on screen were great, and the lighting and every single detail were clearly well-thought-out, and it truly showed. I walked in not knowing what to expect, and I quickly realised that this was a different type of show. It was a performance to remind us all who The Rose are and where they came from.
I absolutely loved it! Make sure you catch them next time they are in your city because you won’t be disappointed.
DAVIDE K-POP 