[Concert Review] Stray Kids dominATE Seoul: A Four-Course Meal by an S-Class Group

byThalia Angelina Pechlivani -
0

 
Photo Credits: JYP Entertainment

The year is 2021 and you're binge-watching every single episode of “Kingdom: Legendary War” with religious dedication. Stray Kids effortlessly clinch first place, and you feel that victory as if it were your own. Not long after, they go on to conquer every milestone set by man in the industry, breaking records and setting new standards. Fast forward a couple of years —and several hit tracks and achievements later— and they drop “ATE”, an album that lives up to its title without question. What once felt like years has suddenly turned into mere minutes, and although Stray Kids' domination of the world is now a given, this particular release feels like a powerful revival of everything the group stands for: mind-blowing beats, dynamic performances, and —let’s be honest— their natural rizz. Soon after, they announce their <dominATE> World Tour. Think fast—what do you do? There's only one correct answer.

On August 24th, Stray Kids ignited the KSPO DOME with their dominATE concert, a spectacular event that embodied everything fans love about the group. Kicking off the show with a not-your-run-of-the-mill VCR, Stray Kids style, STAY grew increasingly impatient as the electrifying "ANTHEM" of the group played, sending a chilling echo throughout the venue. In a near-religious moment, the entire audience chanted “Stray Kids Everywhere, All Around The World”, signaling that the night ahead would be one for the history books.



Sporting white and cream outfits, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. took the stage by storm with a show-stopping rendition of “MOUNTAINS”. It would be impossible to single out any one member —each of them delivered a performance that left the crowd utterly captivated. The eight-member assembly commanded attention in equal measure as they performed on moving stages that mirrored the peaks and valleys of mountains, creating a brilliant visual representation of the song.

Stray Kids wasted no time getting the crowd on their feet as they launched into the iconic “Thunderous”, proving once again that while Seoul in the summer is extremely hot, Stray Kids are even hotter. Changbin particularly stole the spotlight, standing at the higher end of the stage during his rap sequence. However, his stage presence complemented rather than overshadowed his fellow members. As a testament to that, the audience erupted with screams as each member took their turn delivering their parts. Another standout moment was Felix, who, known for his deep and resonant voice, surprised everyone by delivering his lines with an even grittier edge and occasional growls here and there to top it all off.

Maintaining the momentum, they moved on to “JJAM”, transforming the stage as they rightfully claim into their playground. Needless to say, a choreography that incorporates a dance sequence by DANCERACHA (Hyunjin, Felix, Lee Know) is a guarantee for rising the tension. At this point, they don’t have to say it; Stray Kids got the jam —everybody knows it— but self-indulgence never looked this good.

Following the first ment of the night, Stray Kids connected with the audience as “District 9”, another hard-hitting track, reverberated throughout the entire DOME. Bang Chan, in particular, shined with his distinctive vocals and impressive athleticism, executing with ease demanding choreography that, nevertheless, seemed like a piece of cake for all eight members.

As “District 9” came to a close, the members moved to the back of the stage where eight doors awaited. Each door slammed shut with a loud bang, signaling the transition to the next number: “Back Door”. It’s no secret that “Back Door” features some of the most challenging moves (anyone who has attempted Hyunjin’s rapid, interchanging steps followed by a dramatic click of the heels will get this) and complex formations that seem to shift constantly. The staging was made even more intricate —if that’s possible— by the addition of portable moving doors, which created an illusion of a maze or MIROH, if you will. A staging of this scale deserves more than just a round of applause. However, due to its complexity, there were moments when it was difficult to fully see each member performing their part. Nonetheless, the artistic value of the performance overshadowed any such concerns. After all, if anyone can pull this off, it's Stray Kids.

It was time for an outfit change and the highlight of the evening: the solo stages. Although the solo performances were split into two parts, with several OT8 performances in between, there was a clear consensus that the individual stages stole the show. It’s incredibly rare to see every member of a K-pop group have a moment to shine, but shine they did.


First up was Han, who went for an alternative rock song reminiscent of One Ok Rock. Although Han is primarily a rapper, this did not stop him from showcasing his powerful vocals while his outfit sparked comparisons to the anime NANA among fans. Alone on stage, with just a handheld microphone, Han’s presence was undeniably compelling, and his performance alone was enough to captivate the audience. As a self-produced idol who can seamlessly switch roles, his versatility is truly remarkable. Accompanied by a live band —present for most of the night— Han earned extra points for skipping the backing track and delivering his solo in true rockstar fashion. Having said that, Han took it a step further, going wild on the electric guitar midway through, leaving everyone floored.


Next up, Lee Know playfully took the stage with a lighthearted and upbeat song —likely the only one of its kind for the night— paired with a choreography that highlighted the dancing skills he’s renowned for. Joined by the group’s dance team, not only did he deliver a delightful performance but also impressed everyone with his multifaceted talent. Even though it was only the second solo stage of the concert, one thing was already clear: Stray Kids are true all-rounders.


What followed was another breathtaking moment as Seungmin ascended on a high prop, accompanied by nothing but an acoustic guitar, two strategically placed microphones, and the illusion of moonlight projected from the video walls. His melodic singing, with its characteristic tone, filled the entire venue. Yet, it was his skilled guitar playing that truly stood out, with a crystal-clear and magnetic sound that had STAY listening in awe. Bonus points for the exquisite styling —his recent look only added to the overall impact of his performance. 

The vibe completely shifted when Hyunjin appeared, fully dripped out in Versace and ready to deliver a more intense and atmospheric solo. Balancing sharp angles with fluid motions, he executed each move with sniper-like precision while incorporating both dynamic and smooth movements into his dance. His impressively steady vocals didn’t go unnoticed, offering a tantalizing preview of a song that’s already addictive even before its release.



Bridging the first part of the solo stages with the rest of the show, another VCR played, and the video walls parted to reveal all the members casually displayed around a classic and opulent car. It was time for “Chk Chk Boom”. Stray Kids emerged unbothered, moving confidently to the center of the stage to deliver a polished performance of their newly released hit. Their outfits —a mix of black leather, red, white, and denim— perfectly complemented the stage concept, and the eight of them executed the choreography with effortless precision. The audience sang along energetically, especially stressing the line “My bullet goes 탕탕탕”, matching the group's confidence as if on command.

Following “Chk Chk Boom”, the show continued with a high-energy sequence featuring “TOPLINE”, “Super Bowl”, and “COMFLEX”. Unsurprisingly, STAY went wild during this segment. The members alternated between coming together to deliver the intense choreography and spreading out on stage to hype up the crowd. Despite the extended performance, their momentum never faltered, and they didn’t miss a beat. Needless to say, when “LALALALA” hit, the venue ignited, with the unmatched vibes of the song and the electrifying enthusiasm of the audience reaching their peak.

Soon after, the night shifted to a more intimate and melodic segment with “twilight” and “Lonely St.”, offering a chance to appreciate the group's unique vocal abilities. However, these serene moments were brief, as the Korean version of “Social Path” quickly followed, bringing a burst of energy back to the stage. Fans cheered and roared as the members embraced in a circle, only to burst into the song’s intense dance break with newfound power. 

One might have thought we had seen everything a Stray Kids concert had to offer by this point, but we were in for a surprise —four, to be exact. Although it would have been entertaining to save this part of the review for last, spoilers have already circulated. So, without further ado, let’s dive into Bang Chan’s stage.

Words are not needed because there are no words to describe this. It seems like fans got more than what they bargained for when they were asking Bang Chan to make a statement on fellow Aussie artists Chase Atlantic, as this song screamed “Red Lights” laced with “Church”. Bang Chan slowly dragged a chair onto a raised circular stage where dancers lay motionless. His dominant presence was undeniable as he performed a song with a dark, intense vibe, taking off his suit before dramatically falling back and disappearing from view. Despite the moment’s brevity, he left STAY delirious every step of the way as he stood there like an Adonis (as a Greek, I can confirm).




The audience had no time to recover before it was I.N.’s turn to perform. With an outfit that left much of his lower torso exposed, the staging took on an ominous tone from the start. It wouldn’t be a sensual performance without the obligatory body rolls and the cryptic covering of the eyes —as it should. Although I.N. is part of VOCALRACHA, this solo stage primarily showcased his dancing. He demonstrated that controlled movements can be as impactful as more agile and powerful ones. While his striking attire drew attention, it was the artistic value of his performance that truly stood out.




In an unexpected turn of events, Felix chose to perform a ballad for his solo stage, and a heartbreaking one at that. As his deep, raspy voice delivered the evocative line “No one can truly see the human inside me”, starlight-like confetti rained down on him, creating a striking contrast that made him appear like an angel with the voice of a devil. Felix definitely struck a chord with this one, especially after two consecutive acts focused heavily on fan service, acting as a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the artist’s humanity.


Last but certainly not least, Changbin displayed his unique rapping skills in a performance that once again featured energetic dancing. Changbin owned the crowd with the confidence of a true natural, delivering a performance that exuded power. The track, featuring heavy EDM vibes, kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Once again, Stray Kids demonstrated their mastery across genres, with Changbin, in particular, proving that 3RACHA truly has the sauce.



Following another outfit change, this time featuring striking black ensembles, Stray Kids intensified the energy with a sequence of powerful tracks: “GET LIT”, “ITEM”, “DOMINO”, and “God’s Menu”. The members, radiating raw charisma, drew closer to the audience, delivering a grittier take on these songs with the backing of the live band. The high-octane performance continued with a thrilling rendition of “S-Class (VMA ver.)”, before a brief interlude gave way to the electrifying “VENOM” and “MANIAC (MAMA ver.)”. The fan dance challenge segment ignited significant excitement among the crowd, heightening anticipation for Stray Kids' last songs for the night.

After a final outfit change, the concert rolled into its encore with standout performances of “I Like It”, “CASE 143”, and “My Pace”. The night concluded with heartfelt closing remarks from the group, followed by a vibrant run-through of “Stray Kids” and “MIROH” and “Chk Chk Boom (Festival Ver.)”, because hearing this banger live once was not enough.

The opening night of Stray Kids’ <dominATE> concerts in Seoul, and consequently their upcoming tour, set an unprecedented standard for live performances —an experience that simply must be witnessed firsthand. The group not only performed their top hits but also pulled off 8 individual stages and a staggering total of 34 songs. While they don’t have to prove anything, they still managed to demonstrate that extreme props aren’t necessary to deliver a next-level production. With unmatched stamina, they smoothly switched between vocals and rapping —regardless of their position in the group— and struck the perfect balance between staying true to their vision and delivering just the right amount of fanservice. They didn’t come to play; they came to remind everyone what the “K” in K-Pop truly stands for. Stray Kids served, ate, and left no crumbs.

Tags

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.

You may like these posts

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post