I’m truly embarassed to say that I did not give OneUs the proper time of obsession that they deserved before seeing them.
I got all caught up in the P1Harmony of it all, and by the time OneUs’ show rolled around, I had barely given their most popular songs more than two listens. With that being said, I did cram on the way to the actual show, so I was happy to be fairly familiar with most of the setlist by the time they actually took the stage. Something else that made this show unique was that there were only four members present. But, not having familiarized myself with any of the members or their dynamics off the stage, I was not bothered by this at all. The group itself started with six members. One of them departed a few years ago, while their eldest member just enlisted for their mandatory military service earlier this year.
I think the remaning four members did an excellent job in performing these songs! It all felt pretty seamless to me. I thought it was clever of them to bring out back-up dancers to fill out the performances, but they didn’t use them excessively, which I thought was also smart. They all had more than enough stage presence to make memorable performances. I was really impressed by how many songs they performed in a row before taking a break. The first bit was five songs before they spoke to the audience. Even then they didn’t sound winded or look to sweaty – I was impressed! Then they did another four songs before they headed off for a wardrobe change and we got to see a fun pre-recorded interview.
They performed their solo songs, which were ones I didn’t spend any time at all checking out, but I definitely will be now! Having not familiarzied myself with the members, one of them seemed a little shy in general, but he absolutely crushed his solo song. He also seems totally opposite to at least two of the other members, but it’s clear these guys love each other. It is this shy guy that ultimately presented himself as my bias. And a quick search in between sets told me that his name is Leedo. What a cute, shy, hunk. That’s who also dominated my photocards in the album I purchased after the show. It was fate! Asied from their own songs, which were plentiful, they also did a couple of cover songs, as well as a full performance of “Your Idol” from K-Pop Demon Hunters! It was really well done.
Songs that I do like made the set, like “Valkyrie,” “Same Scent,” “Luna,” and “X.” It was clear to me which songs the group likes a lot. Of course, “X,” being so new, was definitely a favorite, but they also seemed to be having the time of their lives performing “Lit” and the cover of “Stay” by The Kid Laroi. What really had me falling in love with these guys was the amount of interactions they made with the crowd. There were at least three separate instances when the members hopped off stage and waded through all the levels of the crowd. I was equally as impressed with how non-wild the fans reacted. Sure, there was plenty of excitement, but they kept it respectful. I myself was too shocked at how close they were to me to do much besides “woo” at them. They even had a contest where one girl got to go up and film a dance challenge with the members! She killed it.
All in all, it was a fantastic show, and I will definitely be seeking them out again the next time they come to the US. Or who knows, maybe when I’m in Korea later this year!
