Photo Credit: Modhaus
ARTMS, a relatively new group nevertheless consisting of industry pioneers, took over Seoul in their long-awaited “Moonshot” concerts. On the 20th and 21st of July, ARTMS’ members HeeJin, HaSeul, Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry presented two electrifying shows kickstarting their tour in their signature celestial style. Attending on the second day, promises of a killer setlist and an unmatched performance were not just met; they exceeded all expectations.
The concert took place at Samsung Hall of Ewha Women’s University, both fitting ARTMS’ brand of Queens supporting Queens and at the same time allowing for a more intimate yet powerful performance as the acoustics of the venue are excellent. Fans of ARTMS, affectionately named OURII, began gathering early in the day, eagerly waiting while taking photos with impressive posters, purchasing aesthetically designed merch and engaging in lively conversations. This diverse crowd included people of all ages and backgrounds. Among them were even some who admitted they had come with their parents' permission or, in some cases, even secretly attended the event, highlighting the widespread appeal of ARTMS.
As the event was about to begin, the stage was entirely covered by a projection scrim, on which the evening’s opening VCR was displayed. Deafening screams filled the hall as glimpses of the members waiting to perform flashed through the almost translucent fabric. The volume of OURII’s voices surged even higher as the opening notes of “Birth” began to play. Just when it seemed that the audience couldn't possibly scream louder, Choerry proved this theory wrong with her effortless execution of her killing part of the choreography featuring elegant floorwork. HeeJin also elicited an equally energetic reaction with her dynamic performance and one thing was for sure; we were in for a spectacular show.
Following “Birth”, the performance transitioned to “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”, highlighting ARTMS’ distinctive and captivating high-pitched vocals. This track, an indulgent city-pop hit, thrilled die-hard fans with its signature sound and set the tone for the rest of the evening. Next up was “Distress” which provided another opportunity for the group to display their impressive vocal abilities. With a minimal stage setup featuring primarily backdrop screens, smoke and the members positioned at the front of the stage, all focus was drawn to the melody and the delicate nuances of their vocals. A brief self-introduction was given by JinSoul, HeeJin, Choerry, Kim Lip and HaSeul, while OURII continued to cheer enthusiastically. Most notably Kim Lip, whose stage charisma and visuals are a work of art in their own right, introduced herself with a playful pun in Korean as “Queen Lip”, and we couldn’t agree more.
The performance seamlessly moved into “Butterfly Effect” and JinSoul’s breath-taking opening line, “Do you remember?”, left everyone spellbound within seconds. Hearing about ARTMS’ impeccable synchronization and intricate formations is one thing, but witnessing it firsthand is an entirely different experience. This particular performance was a true testament to their reputation. As Choerry and HeeJin faced each other in one of the group's most innovative formations, the crowd couldn’t help but watch in awe. As “Butterfly Effect” drew to a close, the screens flickered with the title “Flower Rhythm”, hinting at what was coming next. The track, with its even more vibrant style, elevated the energy of the event as OURII lively chanted along with the chorus.
To transition to the next act, a VCR showcased behind-the-scenes footage from the event’s promotional shoots. The video featured endearing moments of the members, including their attempts at playing chess and Kim Lip charmingly pointing out her representative animal, an owl, in the most adorable manner.
It was time for everyone’s favorite artsy queen, HaSeul, to shine (and, yes, her exceptional pottery skills are a perfect match for her powerful vocals). Although HaSeul had already mesmerized the audience from the beginning of the show, her performance of “Plastic Candy” further showcased her unique singing abilities. Playfully asking the audience if they expected her to perform this track, HaSeul was met with enthusiastic affirmation, as many had enjoyed the show the previous day as well. She continued to tease the crowd, with one particular OURII complimenting her on her attire. HaSeul also shared a fun fact: they chose a white microphone to match the vibe of the song. Her solo segment concluded with a captivating performance of “Let Me In”, and as she hit every note with remarkable ease, a mirrorball glittered in sync with her flawless singing.
240721 하슬 플라스틱 캔디#Haseul #하슬#ARTMS #아르테미스#MoonShot #PlasticCandy #Plastic_Candy pic.twitter.com/3wBRoR6RUe
— kakarooooooo (@guswns7000) July 21, 2024
Following HaSeul’s impeccable performance, HeeJin took the stage to cover SE SO NEON’s “NAN CHUN”, accompanied by a live band. The crowd went wild when she picked up the guitar and joined in, adding an extra layer of excitement to the performance. She took some time to give a shout-out to the members of the band before teasingly introducing herself as “Rockstar HeeJin”. The audience roared in applause as she launched into a rock version of her song “Algorithm”—a rockstar angel coming to the rescue indeed.
240721 ARTMS World Tour < Moonshot > in Seoul 희진 알고리즘 #아르테미스 #희진 #algorithm #HeeJin #ARTMS pic.twitter.com/PHV5Qj1Jlo
— 지우 (@zeewooz) July 21, 2024
Even though that was the end of the solo stages, the show was far from over. In a delightful surprise, Kim Lip, JinSoul and Choerry entered the stage as “Odd Eye Circle”, ready to perform their hit songs “Lucid” and “Air Force One”. During “Lucid” the members mixed with the audience, engaging in heartwarming interactions with their beloved fans, who couldn’t get enough. However, it was the performance of “Air Force One” that had everyone singing at the top of their lungs. JinSoul’s magnetic charisma during the undeniably addictive chorus was a wonderful reminder that ARTMS, and Odd Eye Circle by extension, embody what bubblegum K-Pop is all about.
Shortly after, HaSeul and HeeJin joined the other members for another pleasantly surprising setlist choice: a cover of TWS’ “plot twist”. The members admitted they were nervous about performing this particular song, but they poured their hearts into it, sharing that an added bonus of this number was the extra time spent with OURII. The result was nothing but impressive and highly entertaining.
ARTMS DOING A COVER OF PLOT TWIST OMG???? pic.twitter.com/buGFpuCdK9
— xo, rachel 🗝️༉‧₊˚. (@racheluntold) July 21, 2024
A sentimental rendition of “Universe” commenced with ARTMS encouraging everyone to sing along to the lyrics displayed on the video walls. They continued with “Satellite” during which HaSeul’s high note and HeeJin’s dance part stood out. Needless to say, Kim Lip can do a mean rond de jambe, we can confirm.
As the members went backstage to change into what were later revealed to be majestic pink outfits, a VCR featuring a Q&A session played. The members took turns answering questions about tour must-have items, unforgettable moments, white lies, memorable experiences from their recent album promotions, and their visions for the future ten years from now. JinSoul pointed out that she’s always entranced when fans pretend to fall and faint during the fanchant for “Virtual Angel” which foreshadowed what was to follow.
The five members returned to the stage to perform “Candy Crush”, their elegant stage presence beautifully highlighting their gentle vocals. For “Unf/Air”, they moved closer to the edge of the stage, and the audience, captivated by their dreamy pink outfits, affectionately called them “princesses”. The next track, “Air”, saw JinSoul once again commanding the spotlight with her captivating stage presence, demonstrating that she excels in any concept. “Sparkle” followed, with Choerry and Kim Lip delivering standout performances that earned multiple rounds of cheers. Everyone was truly left in awe, myself included.
As the show drew to a close, ARTMS took turns expressing their gratitude to fans and staff. The members were particularly sentimental about incorporating LOONA songs into their concert setlist. The most heartwarming moment came when JinSoul acknowledged that OURII had patiently waited for the group’s activities, and the audience reassured them that it was indeed worth the wait. With these heartfelt words, the highly anticipated “Virtual Angel” began to play. As ARTMS swayed in a dreamy sequence enhanced by their glittering pink outfits, the audience kept their promise and pretended to fall during JinSoul’s favourite part of the fanchant.
Sparkle🎇🎇#희진 #HeeJin #하슬 #HaSeul #김립 #KimLip #진솔 #JinSoul #최리 #Choerry #ARTMS pic.twitter.com/HyhdSKcfDY
— 러블리희🐰🩷 (@lovely_hee1019) July 21, 2024
OURII demanded an encore, and ARTMS more than delivered. In a powerful OT5 rendition of LOONA’s “So What”, they were cheered on by Loossemble member YeoJin, who had joined the audience to enjoy the concert. The show concluded with “Hi High”, a thrilling addition to the setlist that left die-hard fans absolutely ecstatic.
As the final notes of “Hi High” reverberated through Samsung Hall, the crowd’s energy, intensified by the powerful encore performances, vividly showcased why ARTMS is such a compelling force in the industry. Tonight’s show left us with a profound sense of fulfillment, as ARTMS set a high bar for their thrilling new chapter. Until their next concert, the memories of this spectacular night will linger. ARTMS aimed for the stars and soared beyond, landing on the Moon.
