Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
Ten-member boy group, TREASURE, completed the last leg of their Special Moment: First US Tour at the YouTube Theater. Six years after their debut, Asahi, Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, So Junghwan, and Yoshi were ready and primed to end their tour with a bang. However, their concert was only one of three activities they had planned in the LA area. In quick succession, TREASURE would give a short three-song performance at the GRAMMY Museum and then make an appearance at Dodger Stadium after their YouTube Theater concert. Teumes (Treasure Makers) certainly got their fill to last them until they return again to North America.
Fans who had pit tickets lined up early to get a good spot, while others talked and walked around the venue. Although the YouTube Theater has multi-level seating, only the first floor was utilized. Lightsticks glowed bright in anticipation as Teumes counted down until the show started. The stage was simple: the ten members and their backup band. There were no projected visual and no closeups, while largely utilizing red and blue lighting for their stages.
However, TREASURE’s well-known raw vocals and dance skills didn’t require an introduction. The YG Entertainment boy group came out guns blazing with their hit, “JIKJIN,” causing Teumes to spring up and begin cheering. The YouTube Theater has no bad seat, and even the last rows of the first floor had a clear view of all of the members, who made sure to come around the far sides of the stages to interact with Teumes on all sides. With the live band arrangement, TREASURE’s “BONA BONA” and “I LOVE YOU” were given new life. As Teumes rapped alongside the decet, Jeongwoo’s delivery during the bridge the crowd a renewed intensity in energy.
Without breaking a sweat or taking a break, the group split into their subunits, highlighting the specific skills of individual members and giving them a show that can only be experienced at a concert. The subgroups gave Teumes plenty of fanservice while also delivering an intense execution of tracks like “MOVE” and “G.O.A.T.” But time passed quickly as they performed eight songs back-to-back — stopping occasionally for introductions and water — before making a quick costume change during the interlude into “YELLOW.”
“Seeing LA’s energy, we want to match it and give an even better performance,” shouted Haruto. Given how much the members were running, jumping, and giving their all into their choreography, they were constantly out of breath. There’s only one time to prove your talent on the stage, and TREASURE would showoff their sensuality and stamina with unrelenting rapping, dancing, and singing.
By the time they reached the viral hit, “DARARI,” the show was nearly at an end. Teumes who were dying to see member interaction live on stage finally got a chance to see it with the last two songs on the main setlist.
Yet, it wouldn’t be a complete show without an encore and TREASURE came ready with an additional second encore just so they could get up close and personal with fans. Although they were on a tight schedule, each member took the time to take selfies and give finger hearts to fans in the pit and the far sides of the stage.
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Being amongst Teumes and their passion for TREASURE made the experience exciting and uplifting. Despite the limited auxiliary visuals, the ten members made sure to give everyone a satisfying night. Whether they were new or long time Teumes, the subunit and group stages had something new for die-hards and fair-weather fans alike. Overall, the concert was a fire starter to the new music that TREASURE is likely to launch after their world tour is over.
