The air at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on September 11th was electric, thick with a collective anticipation only a global superstar like WONHO can command. It was my second time seeing him live, and as I watched the sea of light-sticks sway in the venue, I got vivid flashbacks to his 2022 “Facade” tour. This time around, celebrating the five-year anniversary of his solo journey, it felt less like a concert and more like a triumphant homecoming for his ‘Stay Awake’ European tour.
Since his solo debut in 2020 with the EP “Love Synonym Pt. 1: Right for Me” and its viral single “Open Mind,” WONHO has consistently showcased his unique vision as a singer-songwriter and producer. His work has not only topped charts globally but has also earned him a dedicated and devoted fanbase, affectionately known as WENEE. Beyond his formidable physique, sharp dance skills, and striking vocals, WONHO is celebrated for his genuine and humble personality, a quality that fosters a uniquely close bond with his fans.
This deep connection was a topic of conversation when I had the opportunity to sit down with WONHO a few weeks ago for an exclusive interview. We delved into the inspiration behind his latest digital single, “Better Than Me,” a track he described as a confident, fun song reminiscent of the early 2000s boy band era. It’s a single that perfectly encapsulates his flourishing career and his ability to evolve while staying true to his artistry. This London show was the living, breathing testament to that evolution, a performance that captivated the audience from the first note to the final bow. Few days before the show, WONHO had a very special message for WENEE in the UK just from us:
The show started around 8 p.m., and the venue was filled with so much love from WENEE cheering for WONHO. As the lights went off, there he was: WONHO walking onto the dark stage, his sparkling jacket shining through the gloom. “Part 1: Awakening” kicked off with “Better Than Me,” his latest digital single which we had discussed in our previous interview. What a way to start the show! This was one of the songs I was most looking forward to seeing performed live because it was the first time, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The outfit was top-notch—a beautiful black suit with a cropped jacket full of sparkling stones. Absolutely a dream outfit.
Right after that, WONHO performed “With You” and “Eye on You.” He then took a moment to thank the fans and said he was happy to be back on stage and together with WENEE. After that, he performed “Blue” and “Best Shot.” WONHO took another moment to say that WENEE had the best energy and asked them to hold and wave their light-sticks together. To wrap up the first part, he then performed one of my all-time favourite B-sides, “Devil.”
“Part 2: Between Dreams,” the second stage, kicked off with “Stranger.” WONHO had a change of outfit, wearing a beautiful cropped leather jacket with blue sleeves and baggy jeans. He was sitting on a stool for this song, which was a nice change of pace. He then stood up to perform “Losing You” and “Close.” The energy of these two songs was truly wholesome. He chatted a bit more about how happy he was to be back and reflected on the time he was away from WENEE, explaining that this was why he decided to call the tour ‘Stay Awake.’ He thanked WENEE for their support and promised he’d always do his best. He then continued the stage with “Ain’t About You” and “24/7.” Before closing out the stage with the energetic “Crazy,” WONHO asked the fans what they thought of his outfit change, if they preferred the first or second look. It was definitely a hard call, but the first look was probably my favourite, even though I’d wear the second one on a daily basis!
The next stage was called “Part 3: All for You,” and it truly was all for us because we had the incredible opportunity to experience not one but two entirely new tracks: “MALA” and “Down.” Both were so uplifting and full of good energy! They definitely feel like great title track material, and I’m wondering if they’ll be included in his new album. I’d love to listen to them on repeat in my playlist! “What Would You Do” was up next. WONHO took a moment to talk about this song, which was released last November. He then said that while performing it, he paid extra attention to the fans’ reactions, and that gave him even more energy on stage. Unfortunately, we came to the end of the show with the two upcoming songs, the catchy “Lose” and the viral “Open Mind.”
Well… we all know that a K-pop show isn’t over until we have an encore! And just like that, WONHO was back on stage and performed “Somebody” before lifting the spirit up by playing “Down” once again! He then took a moment to thank the fans, saying he couldn’t leave without the encore, and asked which song they liked the most. It was definitely hard to pick just one—there were way too many to choose from! He then performed “Crazy” and “Flash,” which officially marked the end of the show.
What can I say? I’ve been following WONHO since the beginning of his career, and this show was not disappointing! His talent and his devotion and love for the fans are truly remarkable. There is something special about artists like WONHO, which I also find in other artists like IU. When they perform, they give 100% during their sets, but they also take their time to connect with the audience, talk them through things, and make their bonds even stronger. I think this is what makes artists like WONHO so special—not everyone does that, which really makes him stand out even more. WENEE are very lucky to have WONHO, and WONHO is very lucky to have WENEE. Without each other, there would be no magic. This was my second time seeing him perform live, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in WONHO’s journey. One thing’s for sure: I’ll be here waiting to talk about it.
Cover Image courtesy of HIGHLINE ENT.
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