[Concert Review] DPR: A Stream of a Cosmic Dream - THE DREAM REBORN TOUR in Seoul

byThalia Angelina Pechlivani -
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Photo Credits: Gucci Gaffer


“Could this all be a dream?” The beginning sequence of the THE DREAM REBORN TOUR concerts in Seoul was nothing but gripping, immersing the audience in a cinematic journey that transcended into a new realm; a realm where audio, visuals, and an element of the unknown converge to create the multi-genre music and video group widely known as DPR.


On the 13th and 14th of July, on admittedly extremely hot days—even for Seoul—a very vibrant crowd, despite their black attire, began lining up hours before the events for the standing section of the Olympic Hall in Songpa-gu. The events in question were the highly anticipated opening nights of the DREAM REBORN TOUR, featuring performances from DPR ARTIC, DPR CREAM, and DPR IAN. The evenings hadn’t even begun, yet promises of an unforgettable experience echoed around the venue as the audience eagerly awaited the show.


The Olympic Hall, renowned for hosting performances by seasoned artists, buzzed with the lively energy of the crowd and an unexpected undercurrent—an eerie atmosphere. The stage set up, blending futuristic minimalism with dynamic lighting and expansive screens, served as a prelude to what was about to unfold, and as soon as the lights dimmed, the audience erupted with excitement.


The night kicked off with DPR ARTIC, whose DJ set immediately set the tone. Emerging amidst swirling smoke, dynamic lights, and stars glimmering on the screens, ARTIC performed with notable ease, clearly in his element on stage. Tracks like "Escape" and "POST" ignited the energy in the room, with ODEE, Oygli, and Roh Yun Ha joining the DJ to perform the latter song, adding an electrifying live dimension to the set. Adding to the excitement, The Deep made a captivating appearance during the fan-favorite song "Dream". The synergy of the music with stunning visual effects and lighting intensified the overall visual experience. DPR ARTIC briefly introduced himself, expressing gratitude to the audience and promising more to come, before the highly anticipated "Do or Die" filled the air, delivering a thrilling and majestic conclusion to his brief yet exceptional set. While the set was coming to a dynamic end, the screens displayed an eclipse—a symbol of light or the lack thereof that would become a recurring theme during both nights.



Next up was DPR CREAM, whose DJ set maintained the momentum. The artist was surrounded by a mini studio on stage, solidifying his reputation as a skilled producer. With headphones on and alternating between his equipment for vocal variety, CREAM captivated the audience by seamlessly delivering live renditions of his songs that faithfully mirrored their studio versions. Tracks like "Color Drive", “test drive” and “uzuz” showcased slick production and held the crowd entranced. 

However, the highlight of the set was undoubtedly “darling”. In a cinematic ambiance, a mirrorball hung from the ceiling, casting alternating patterns of light and shadow that filled the room. The penetrating light mirrored the emotional journey of the song, drawing the audience along with it. Songs like “i miss u (too bad)”, “투(two)” and “puberty (1, 2, 3)” followed continuing the mesmerizing performance. DPR CREAM moved closer to the audience, performing on a revolving part of the stage that rose above the ground, enveloped in purple lights. Interacting warmly with the crowd, he briefly discussed his work, earning cheers while DREAMers made sure he knows he is cool. On the second day of the two-day event, he pointed out that it would be difficult to top the first performance; however, he couldn’t have been more mistaken. His set ended in spectacular fashion with "savage", coinciding with the eclipse that earlier shadowed ARTIC during "Do or Die", now reversed.


 

It was time for the final act, DPR IAN. With the audience's excitement reaching a new high, a group of skilled dancers took over the stage, delivering an enthralling performance. Green lights pulsed rhythmically as the singer made a dramatic entrance, descending from the top of a moving stage while performing “Welcome To The Other Side”. DPR IAN, presenting a masterclass in showmanship, prompted the crowd to join in the fun and effortlessly played the bass, igniting a wave of excitement throughout the venue.

 


“Don’t Go Insane” followed, accompanied by fire shooting up from the stage, offering DPR IAN a chance to showcase his dancing skills, which are often underrated. An unexpected appearance of THE GREEN had the audience cheering, and then “So I Danced” began playing. The stage setting, intricate and theatrical, perfectly complementing the song's vibe.


“Bad Cold” was greeted with another wave of applause and as the singer went on performing “Peanut Butter & Tears”, a live band accompanied him, reaffirming DPR's reputation for excellence. While IAN’s vocals brought an emotional intensity that resonated with the crowd, he took a few moments to interact with DREAMers joking around about peanut butter-jelly and vegemite and how he was allegedly eating Oreos while making the latter song. He then introduced a special performance with the live band, none other than “Violet Crazy”, a rendition that felt more like a ritual than just a mere show.

“So Beautiful” was another standout and “Miss Understood” was introduced by the singer as a song dedicated to everyone who has been told they were understood by others when in fact they weren’t. The imagery of the ocean filled the screens as IAN knelt on stage, setting the scene for "Mood" to begin playing. This was swiftly followed by another hit, "Dope Lovers", showcasing his powerful vocals and the intensity of the songs. Throughout the show, several surprise dance breaks delighted fans and served as a testament to the artist's multifaceted talent.

“1 Shot” and “Calico” lifted the mood, but it was the debut performance of “Merry Go” that truly resonated with the audience, evoking both sentimentality and excitement. “Scaredy Cat” followed next, and the entire venue joined in singing along. As DPR IAN briefly left the stage to prepare for the final songs, the band delivered an outstanding performance, leaving the crowd clearly not ready for the show to end. He then proceeded to deliver a haunting rendition of the incredibly popular song “Nerves” that truly struck a chord. 



The final song was none other than “Ballroom Extravaganza”, a personal favourite and an emotionally resonant conclusion to a sensory journey. The venue was filled with white confetti as DREAMers listened in awe to the heartfelt performance, bringing a beautiful show to its conclusion. However, it was clearly not enough, as on the second day, the group of artists decided to have an impromptu get-together with all the members and staff, dancing and interacting with the fans to the sounds of “Do or Die”. A playful end to a sentimental night.


DPR IAN connected with the audience, collecting drawings and gifts, engaging in playful banter here and there (Yes, we’re also glad you freed us, IAN) and closed the shows with a touching speech emphasizing the significance of starting the tour in Korea. "It cannot be explained with words," he claimed, and we couldn’t agree more.


Throughout the night, the concert’s technical execution was flawless as all the artists maintained a strong connection with the audience. The lighting, LED displays, and stage setting served as a portal to an audiovisual extravaganza, truly a dream reborn. The fans interacted with DPR in what appeared to be a deeper connection, one nurtured by shared experiences and a mutual appreciation for the arts. Notably, the debut of DPR’s lightstick, “Dream Light”, was greeted with great success and it turned out to be a brilliant promotional idea for the event, garnering significant attention. 


Overall, the DREAM REBORN TOUR concerts in Seoul were a resounding triumph. The performances were phenomenal, and the production truly lived up to the title "Perfect" in "Dream Perfect Regime". Though the night began with the uncertainty of it all being a dream, it concluded with a simple yet profound message: "Keep dreaming". A must-see concert that transcends mere dreams indeed. Don’t miss their upcoming shows in North and South America, Europe, the UK and Asia Pacific. For more information click here.


 

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Thalia Angelina Pechlivani

Thalia Angelina is a journalist from Greece, presently contributing for KpopWise. She fell in love with K-Culture back in 2010 upon listening to SHINee's "Lucifer". Currently a full-time student at Sogang University, she spends her time buying excessive amounts of Korean novels. Do not mention Epik High or DPR IAN to her unless you want to hear a 3-hour TED Talk. Don't tell this to anyone, but she still has a soft spot for Super Junior. Not a nepo baby, a Mapo baby.

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