REVIEW SEVENTEEN creates electric atmosphere for 72,000 fans at Japan's largest dome

Some 72,000 fans of K-pop act SEVENTEEN attend "SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO JAPAN" at Kanagawa's Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, Saturday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment By Pyo Kyung-min YOKOHAMA, Japan — Despite a slight chill in the air, Kanagawa's Nissan Stadium, one of Japan's largest domes, was a hotbed of excitement on Saturday afternoon as approximately 72,000 fans gathered for a sole purpose: to support K-pop sensation SEVENTEEN on its Japanese tour. A massive crowd had gathered at the venue hours before the show's kickoff, eagerly taking selfies and photos of the dome, exuding palpable excitement. "I feel 'VERY NICE' right now," Natsumi, a 27-year-old fan, brimming with anticipation, said, making a reference to the band's 2016 song. "Although I've only been a fan for two months, I came to this concert to support my favorite member, Mingyu. Since becoming a fan of SEVENTEEN, whenever I have a bad day, seeing Mingyu's face cheers me up. I'm here to thank SEVENTEEN for making me feel happy because they chose to be idols." Natusmi, center, a 22-year-old SEVENTEEN fan, poses with her friends a few hours before the "SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO JAPAN" concert at Kanagawa's Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min The 13-piece act visited Osaka last weekend as part of its "SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO JAPAN," where it performed for 110,000 spectators at the city's largest dome, Yanmar Stadium Nagai. This weekend's Nissan Stadium performance continues the tour, meeting a total of 144,000 fans over two days. Nissan Stadium is the largest concert venue in Japan. SEVENTEEN set a new record as the second K-pop boy band to perform there, following TVXQ! in 2018. "I think SEVENTEEN's biggest charm lies in (its) performance skills. There's a striking difference from Japanese idols who often showcase a more unpolished charm," Yusei, a 22-year-old fanboy at the venue, said. Pledis Entertainment, the agency representing SEVENTEEN, and its parent company HYBE Labels attributed the group's success in Japan to its visible growth in the country since its early, relatively unknown days. SEVENTEEN officially debuted in Japan on May 30, 2018, with its first Japanese mini album, "We Make You." "Japanese idols often adopt a growth-oriented image, starting off as less polished performers. Therefore, Japanese fans have developed a special affection for SEVENTEEN despite it being a Korean idol group, as they have observed its gradual development and growth in Japan," an HYBE official said. SEVENTEEN performs during its "SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO JAPAN" concert at Kanagawa's Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, Saturday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment Reciprocating the steadfast support, SEVENTEEN kicked off the evening's performance with a dramatic entrance, complete with fireworks and flame throwers in the open-roof dome. The thunderous cheers of CARATs, the group's official fan base, reverberated throughout the expansive stadium. After the opening performance, the members each took the stage to thank the fans. Hoshi, visibly moved by the large turnout, remarked, "I now understand the hype with Nissan Stadium, why it's called the 'stage of dreams' for idols." Member DK also shared his disbelief, saying, "It's hard to believe we're performing here. We will give our best for everyone who filled this place today." The concert showcased a mix of SEVENTEEN's well-known hits and fan favorites, including chart-toppers such as "MAESTRO," "Super," "Left & Right," "Clap," "Don't Wanna Cry," and "HOT," alongside poignant melodies like "F*ck My Life," "BEAUTIFUL," and "April Shower," to cater to every K-pop enthusiast. SEVENTEEN performs during its "SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO JAPAN" concert at Kanagawa's Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, Saturday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment A highlight of the event was the unit performances, in which the 13 members were divided into separate teams based on their specialties: vocal, performance and hip-hop. The vocal unit, consisting of Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi, DK and Seungkwan, captivated the audience with soulful ballads. The performance unit, featuring Jun, Hoshi, The8 and Dino, mesmerized in dazzling all-black ensembles with their dynamic performances. S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu and Vernon, comprising the hip-hop unit, electrified the stage with powerful rap acts. The show extended well into the night, with the members exhibiting unwavering energy throughout the event. Their relentless three-and-a-half-hour live performance kept fans enthralled and on their feet for the entire event. As darkness settled over the venue, SEVENTEEN delighted the audience with performances in Japanese, featuring beloved hits like "Run to You" and "Together," evoking heartfelt emotions among the local fans. In a show of gratitude, fans came together in a collective gesture, using official light sticks to create a wave of illumination. The dome, bathed in the group's signifying colors of rose quartz and serenity, transformed into an unforgettable spectacle against the nighttime sky. Fans of K-pop act SEVENTEEN wave the group's official light sticks during "SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO JAPAN" concert at Kanagawa's Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, Saturday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment The group's dedication to connecting with its Japanese audience remained evident until the closing moments of the Saturday concert. Speaking in Japanese, Dino expressed profound gratitude, calling the fans his "reason for existence." "Just as your love has shaped me into who I am today, I hope my performance brings you joy. Thank you for creating this magical moment, and I adore you, CARATs," he said. Joshua conveyed his appreciation, saying, "I'm continually thankful, and I believe the best way to repay you is through increased engagement. Please continue to support us as we strive harder." Concluding with a touch of romance, he remarked, "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" a poetic way of saying "I love you" in Japanese. Seungkwan, also speaking in Japanese, extended gratitude to the fans. "Thank you for always being our pillar of strength, CARATs. We will never take your love for granted. I hope today has brought immense happiness to all of you. Please return home safely, and let's meet again soon," he said, adding that the concert's excitement would endure.