PROJECT 1004

Tag: concert

  • BTS Returns to Toronto for the First Time in Over 10 Years

    BTS Returns to Toronto for the First Time in Over 10 Years

    Toronto, Canada

    For the first time in over a decade, BTS brought their world tour to Toronto, headlining two sold-out nights at Rogers Stadium on August 22nd and 23rd. Since debuting in 2013, BTS has grown into the biggest K-pop act of all time, and their Toronto stop was proof of just how far that influence reaches. From attending their first American Music Award to selling out stadiums across the globe, the group has left a lasting mark on today’s pop music landscape. Their last Toronto performance was back in 2016, marking this long-awaited return all the more significant for Canadian fans.

    To mark BTS’s homecoming, the City of Toronto temporarily renamed Yonge Street in North York as “BTS Boulevard,” and celebrations rolled out across the city all week long. Fans lined up for pop-ups celebrating the group’s latest album release, sampled BTS official drink, ARIH, at the Korean Toronto Festival, shopped limited-edition merchandise at the official BTS pop-up store, and stopped by cafes to collect cup sleeves.

    Fans traveled from all over Canada and around the world to attend the 2-day concert at Rogers Stadium. It was their only Canada stop on this tour. Due to the number of events taking place on the same weekend, all hotels in nearby vicinity were sold out and flight tickets were expensive. Other events taking place over the weekend include Ed Sheeran’ concert at the Rogers Centre, the Toronto Korean Festival at Mel Lastman Square, and the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

    Rain or Shine: BTS Powers Through Toronto Storm to Deliver Unforgettable Rogers Stadium Shows

    Rain was no match for BTS and Army, the name for the band’s devoted fandom. Storms rolled out all weekend, and on day one, thunder and lightning began around 4PM, forcing the cancellation of other outdoor events, like the Toronto Korean Festival. As the skies darkened and thunder light up the skies, many fans feared the BTS concert might be next.

    The show, however, went on. As conditions worsened, fans flooded social media platforms like TikTok with live updates from Rogers Stadium. VIP fans were already indoors – watching sound check. However, sound check was paused because of the storm. Fans who were still waiting to be let in sought refuge anywhere they could. After riding out the thunderstorm, BTS was able to finally come back on stage and finish sound check.

    Fans were overjoyed the concert wasn’t cancelled. They packed into the stadium as BTS delivered a full set despite the downpour. With rain pooling across the floor seating area, many concertgoers found themselves standing ankle-deep in puddles, joking that they were “swimming” as BTS performed their newest hit, “Swim.”

    Day two brought more of the same weather, with heavy rain lasting until around 5PM. The skies cleared up just before soundcheck, and by 6PM, the sun and blue skies had returned, allowing the concert to proceed as normal. BTS mostly performed songs from their newest album, Arirang. They also sprinkled performances from some older songs like “Mic Drop”, “Fire”, and “Dynamite” into the set. As part of a recurring tour tradition, the group also performs two surprise songs each night, chosen at random by the DJ. In Toronto, those picks were “Outro: Wings” and “Dope” on day one, and “00:00 (Zero O’Clock)” and “Outro: Tear” on day two.

  • How Did I Improve My Concert Photography? 5 Tips from a K-pop Concert Photographer

    How Did I Improve My Concert Photography? 5 Tips from a K-pop Concert Photographer

    Growing up, I never thought I would ever call myself a K-pop concert photographer. Being a concert photographer never crossed my mind.

    However, when I returned to the US after living in South Korea for 3 years, I really missed photography. When I lived in Korea, there were so many things to take photos of. I could just wander the streets for hours and just take photos of the alleyways and landscape or meet with actors and models to photograph them. However, back in the US, I had no connections and nothing to photograph.

    On a whim, I bought a last minute ticket to see SIK-K live in Minnesota. I had no idea who he was other than he was a Korean rapper. I didn’t know his songs. I didn’t even know what he looked like. But he was performing at a local venue that allowed point and shoot cameras. So I bought a ticket to his show. The night before, I watched some videos on how to take concert photos. The next day, I lined up early so I could get a good spot for the show. SIK-K’s concert was so so so good. He had so much energy, used the stage really well, and was really good at interacting with the audience. There was never a dull moment during the concert. I think the concert was one of the best concert ever and it made me fall in love with concert photography and Korean hip-hop music.

    After the concert, I was suddenly obsessed with concert photography and wanted to do as many event and concert photography as possible. I started attending all local events, collaborating with local k-pop cover dance groups, k-pop stores, and k-pop event organizers. Then, suddenly, I started working with artists, companies, and artist promoters. On my journey to become a concert photographer, I learned a lot. Here are some of my tips that helped me become a better concert and event photographer.

    Tip #1: Attend local events and practice photographing low light and fast moving subjects.

    Local events are the best to learn and grow! You don’t have to pay anything to attend and can practice with local talents! Usually, these events do not have professional lighting so your really have to test your skills and learn how to shoot in low light settings. But these events are the best to learn how to shoot in low light, in shutter priority/manual mode, and how to shoot fast moving subjects!

    I have worked with local cover dance groups and k-pop event organizers in Minnesota. I really appreciate these opportunities as it allowed me to learn, grow my skills, and helped me prepare for those moments when a K-pop artist really comes to my town. I learned where I want to stand, how to shoot in low light, how to prepare for unexpected settings, what the limitations of my instruments are, and how to edit photos quickly.

    Tip #2: Reflect and Critique Your Work!

    You can’t get better if you don’t look at your work and critique it. What could I have done better? What should I change for next time? What did I learn from this experience? What was I lacking? What photos should I had taken? Ask yourself these questions and critique your work!

    I shot a concert once and was super disappointed in the photos that I took. Out of the entire shoot, I only had 2 good photos that could be posted. And the photos I took lacked diversity. From then on, I started to be more critical of my work and reflecting on what I could have done better, how I can prevent this from happening again next time, and created a shot list of must-have photos.

    Tip #3: Pay to attend local concerts that allow point and shoots to practice.

    Go to that local concert that is happening on the weekend. Get there early, wait in line, and find a good spot to take photos from. This is a great way to practice shooting in different modes (manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, etc.), finding ways to be creative with photography, and it is low stress!


    Also some bands may be really appreciative of it! I have been DM’d by a few artists or they reposted my work! So go to the local club shows and practice photography (and editing afterwards).

    Tip #4: Understand the Industry Standards

    Understand what the industry standards are for the type of concert photography that you want to do. Not everything is the same. For an example, some music photography/publications require photos to be sent to them by the next morning. However, K-pop is a little more strict about the image of their artists and companies are willing to wait longer for better photos. And, you usually have to wait for the management to approve the final photos.

    Tip #5: Do other kinds of photography!

    Doing beauty and portrait photography really helped me learn how to do skin retouching and making the subject pop. This has helped me tremendously in concert photography! And for K-pop events and concerts as the companies are more strict.

    Concert photography has made me comfortable with shooting in low light, different modes, fast moving subjects, and editing photos! I really recommend photographers to try different kinds of photography to improve your skills!

    Was there any tip that surprised you? Or want other tips? Comment below!

  • KCON Announces LA Dates for 2026

    KCON Announces LA Dates for 2026

    KCON has officially announced the LA dates for 2026. This year, KCON LA will be taking place on August 14th– 16th. KCON is one of the most exciting K-pop events of the year. The three-day festival allows US fans to see the music program M Countdown live, interact with their favorite artists, and introduce K-pop fans to Korean brands. KCON usually brings some of the hottest artists in town so fans are always excited to see whom will be attending and performing each year. Artists for KCON LA 2026 have yet to be announced.

    KCON Japan will be taking place on May 8th-10th. Some of the hottest and up and coming artists like &TEAM, CORTIS, Heart2Heart, and TWS will be performing. This year, ZEROBASEONE, JO1, and INI will be the headliners for KCON Japan 2026.

  • JUNHEE Concludes His First Solo U.S. Tour

    JUNHEE Concludes His First Solo U.S. Tour

    JUNHEE recently completed the U.S. leg of his first solo tour, Into the Ocean. The tour included nine stops, beginning in Dallas, Texas, and concluding in San Francisco, California. JUNHEE (formerly known as JUN) is a solo artist who debuted as the leader of the K-pop boy group A.C.E. After the group’s contract with their former agency ended, the members began pursuing individual activities under different companies. However, A.C.E has not disbanded, and the members hope to reunite for future performances. Fans can often see the members supporting one another through TikTok Lives or by attending each other’s solo events in Korea.

    Since launching his solo career, JUNHEE has been steadily building his musical identity. He established his own label, HNP Entertainment, and has released two projects so far: a digital single titled “Supernova” and a mini album, The First Day & Night. The album showcases a wide range of sounds, featuring fun and upbeat tracks like “Too Bad (15:00),” a heartfelt ballad such as “Night (2:00),” and addictive songs like the title track, “Umbrella (10:00).”

    JUNHEE encouraged attendees to dress according to the concert theme via his Instagram story. The theme of his 2026 world tour, Into the Ocean, was embraced by fans throughout each stop and many fans arrived in creative, beach-inspired outfits. Some incorporated fishing nets into their looks, while others wore clover-shaped hair clips, or dressed like mermaids. During the shows, fans expressed excitement at seeing JUNHEE perform live. Many were longtime A.C.E fans who had attended previous group concerts, while others were new fans who had recently discovered his music. These newer fans shared their excitement about attending the tour and enthusiastically talked about the songs that made them fall in love with his music.

    One of the most memorable segments of the tour was the food testing portion. At each stop, JUNHEE sampled a local specialty from the state he was visiting. In Minnesota, he tried the infamous Juicy Lucy, earning the nickname “Juicy JUNHEE” from fans. While attempting to share fries with the audience, he accidentally dropped them, prompting laughter as he jokingly commented that he makes mistakes sometimes. In Chicago, he sampled deep-dish pizza, much to the crowd’s delight. Local audience members recommended JUNHEE to try Chicago’s other popular dishes next time: hot dogs or sandwiches.

    The concert concluded with an encore featuring several of A.C.E’s hit songs, sending fans into a frenzy as they sung along and cheered with joy.

    JUNHEE will continue his Into the Ocean tour in Asia, with upcoming performances in Seoul on February 1, Taipei on February 28, and a European tour scheduled for March.

    ** Special thanks to KORUS Entertainment, Oppang, and HNP Entertainment for the opportunity to attend and photograph JUNHEE during the Minnesota and Chicago stops of his tour.

  • Hannah Bahng Warms Hearts on a Cold Winter Night in Minneapolis

    Hannah Bahng Warms Hearts on a Cold Winter Night in Minneapolis

    Minneapolis, MN

    The chilly weather and first snowfall of the season didn’t stop fans from lining up outside the Varsity Theater on Sunday night to see Hannah Bahng perform at her long-awaited Minneapolis concert. Even passersby could feel the fans’ dedication — many had been waiting outside for hours before doors opened, despite not being dressed for the cold.

    Fans shivered in the freezing air, chatting to keep their spirits up. Some tucked their faces into their sweaters or pulled their shirts over their legs in an attempt to stay warm. But as soon as the venue doors opened and everyone stepped into the cozy theater, the cold was quickly forgotten. The warm, intimate atmosphere set the perfect tone for an evening of laughter, heartfelt stories, and soul-soothing music.

    Who is Hannah Bahng?

    Hannah Bahng is a rising Korean-Australian artist known for her relatability, genre-blending music, and engaging TikTok presence. This show marked her first-ever visit and performance in Minnesota. Many fans outside mentioned discovering her through TikTok or through her brother, Bang Chan, the leader of the K-pop group Stray Kids.

    Concert Experience

    Tickets were sold in three tiers:

    • VIP 1: Meet and greet, photo with Hannah, sound check access, and a lanyard
    • VIP 2: Sound check access and a lanyard
    • General Admission: Entry to the main concert

    During the sound check session, Hannah created a personal, lighthearted atmosphere with her VIP fans — answering questions, cracking jokes, and even attempting a Minnesota accent. When one brave fan asked her to marry her, Hannah playfully responded by asking the fan’s age. Upon hearing “13,” she laughed and said, “For legal reasons, I cannot marry you,” earning laughter from the crowd.

    Hannah also shared her latest obsession: gumball machines. She had one on stage and invited a fan up to turn the handle to choose that night’s sound check song. The lucky pick was Sabrina Carpenter’s “Good Luck, Babe!”, which Hannah performed beautifully, turning the moment into a spontaneous duet with the fan.

    After sound check, general admission ticket holders entered the venue. While waiting for Hannah’s main set, excited whispers spread through the crowd — fans had spotted her parents in the audience. Later, Hannah confirmed it was indeed their first time attending one of her shows. She thanked a couple who gave up their seats for them, gifting them a signed setlist as a token of appreciation.

    Opening Act: RealestK

    The night began with a soulful performance by RealestK, a Canadian R&B artist known for his smooth vocals and introspective songwriting. His emotional delivery and heartfelt storytelling won over many new fans in the audience. He closed his set with an inspiring message: “Chase your dreams.”

    Hannah’s Set

    When Hannah finally took the stage, the crowd erupted. She effortlessly commanded the room — performing her songs, connecting with fans, and sharing stories behind her lyrics. Her authenticity and warmth made the night feel deeply personal.

    The Misunderstood World Tour includes 27 stops across North America, and Minneapolis marked the halfway point. From here, Hannah will head west and into Canada before wrapping up her tour in Dallas, Texas.

  • Loossemble Brings Fans to Uptown Theater for Their 2024 Up_Link US Tour

    Loossemble Brings Fans to Uptown Theater for Their 2024 Up_Link US Tour

    Hundreds of fans lined up at Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to see K-pop girl group Loossemble (루셈블) perform for their Up_Link Station Tour. The band consists of members Hyunjin, ViVi, Go Won, Hyeju, and Yeojin. Yeojin is currently on a health hiatus and did not attend the US Tour. They debuted in 2023 with the song, “Sensitive”. The members are former members of girl group LOONA. After leaving their previous agency, they signed with CTDENM to form Loossemble. “Loossemble” stands for “LOONA Assemble.” Throughout the concert, you could hear long time fans cheering “LOONA” in the crowd.

    Last month, Loossemble released their 3rd mini album “TTYL” (short for “Talk to You Later”). It features their title song “TTYL”. This is one of their most popular songs as many fans have performed dance covers/dance challenges to this song. Throughout the tour, the girls could be seen making short videos and performing the songs at local landmarks. In Minnesota, Loossemble member Hyeju filmed a dance challenge for “TTYL” at the Spoonbridge and Cherry. Hyeju also taught the choreography to concert goers and filmed a short video for their social media pages.


    Some other popular songs that the girls performed include fan favorite “Cotton Candy” and “Confessions”. The girls ended the concert with a high wave event / group photos with VIP, VVIP, and VVIP Wonder ticket holders.

    October 25Th, 2024

  • K-POP Hopefuls From Around the Midwest Travel to Minnesota to Compete at the 2024 Midwest K-pop Festival at the Mall of America

    K-POP Hopefuls From Around the Midwest Travel to Minnesota to Compete at the 2024 Midwest K-pop Festival at the Mall of America

    With the rising global influence of K-POP, it is no surprise that K-POP has become a major cultural phenomenon. Millions of people from around the world collect their albums and photo cards, feature K-POP songs in TikTok videos, and sell out their world tours. This global phenomenon has also given rise to vibrant fan cultures — one of the most prominent being dance cover performed by fans.

    The Midwest K-POP Festival (MKF) is the largest K-POP Festival in Minnesota, drawing participants from across the Midwest to compete for a chance to represent the U.S. at the prestigious KBS Changwon K-POP World Festival in South Korea. The competition includes multiple rounds, featuring both dance and vocal categories. Supported and hosted by the Korean government, the grand prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to South Korea to learn more about Korean culture and compete on the global stage. The Changwon K-POP World Festival also includes performances from K-POP idols. So, if you get the chance to compete in Korea, you might be able to see your favorite band!

    MKF is usually hosted by MKDC (Minnesota K-Pop Dance Crew) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago. MKDC is a local cover dance team that started at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. They participated in the festival in the early years and won various times. Now, they work more on the back end by organizing and assisting with the event. During the show, MKDC can be seen performing various times during the event to keep the crowd entertained and let the contestants rest. This year was a little special as MKDC teamed up with Axis, a popular Chicago dance team to showcase performances between competitions.

    Other than the performances, the competition also featured an excellent MC and past MKF participants and music producer Rino—who has worked with major labels like YG Entertainment—as part of the judging panel. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago also attended the event and can be seen showing his support by giving an opening speech. He thanked the participants for their love of K-POP and Korean Culture and for the participant’s months of hard work and dedication to making this a successful event.

    It was a great competition with many talented groups. Prism Kru from Chicago won the competition this year. They later went to compete in Changwon. The full video from the performance can be watched on YouTube.

    June 1st, 2024