SEOUL, November 08 (AJP) - On the day Seoul recorded its first snow of the season, K-pop group EXO wrapped up its sixth solo concert tour at KSPO DOME, singing “The First Snow” before a sold-out crowd as winter arrived earlier than usual.
Cold rain fell outside the venue in southern Seoul, where fans in padded jackets lined up under umbrellas hours before the 5 p.m. show. The Korea Meteorological Administration said snow was observed at its Seoul station at 10 a.m., 12 days earlier than average and the earliest since 2010, though the precipitation was too light to accumulate.
The final performance of “EXO PLANET #6 - EXhOrizon [dot]” capped a tour that began in April and covered 14 regions over 27 performances. The three-day Seoul encore from Nov. 6 to 8 drew about 33,000 fans, with even restricted-view seats sold out, according to SM Entertainment. Sunday’s show was also screened in cinemas across 23 regions worldwide.
The group, now in its 14th year since its 2012 debut, performed as five members: Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun.
A giant crown rose above the stage as the lights dimmed, and Chanyeol’s rap launched “Crown,” the title track of the eighth album “REVERXE,” released in January. Fireworks and flames followed, and the show moved into the 2016 hit “Monster” as sections of the stage rose and shifted beneath the dancers. The group also performed “Suffocate,” a track from the new album that it had saved for the Seoul encore.
“We thought fans would really like it while we were preparing the choreography,” Chanyeol said.
The set then softened with “Moonlight Shadows,” “24/7” and “Gravity” before returning to fan favorites such as “Love Shot” and “The Eve.” A medley of title tracks, including “Tempo,” “Lotto,” “Ko Ko Bop” and “Call Me Baby,” had the arena singing along. In an EDM medley, the members repeated “Run” three times, urging fans to keep jumping.
A chandelier then descended over a winter-themed stage for ballads including “Sing For You,” “For Life” and “The First Snow.” During “I’m Home,” the members walked across a moving platform that gave the illusion of traveling through the venue. The encore closed with “Paradise,” “Tender Love” and “Peter Pan.”
Between songs, the members teased each other and fans. D.O. jokingly demanded a louder response before agreeing to do a cute gesture, and Chanyeol recalled asking Sehun for dance advice on “Sweet Lies.”
“Watching all of you from the stage and hearing the members’ voices made me realize again how enjoyable it is to perform together,” Chanyeol said in his closing remarks.
D.O. said the audience’s happiness gave him energy. Kai said each of the three Seoul shows had its own character and that he was already looking ahead to the group’s next activities. Sehun joked that the concert was made possible by “30 percent staff, 30 percent EXO and 40 percent fans.”
Suho recalled the moment when the group and fans jumped together during “Run.” “I wished time could stop,” he said. He added that EXO hopes to return with new music and performances as soon as possible.
The members left the stage with their signature chant, “We are one.”
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