So far, 2025 is really delivering on K-Pop for me! The cycle continued this weekend with a very quick trip up to Toronto to see OnlyOneOf!
When the tour was first announced there was backlash from fans about the company that was handling this particular tour, and as much as what I heard sucked, it was a risk I was willing to take. Rie is already out doing his mandatory military service, and I can only imagine other members might follow suit soon. So this was my chance to see one of the still very few K-Pop bands that I’ve let enter my life. I also decided to bite the bullet and go big with their VVIP package!
That means the day started much earlier than I was anticipating. Around noon is when all of the festivities began, though with most things in life, there were some delays. There were more people than I expected taking part in the upgraded activities, but it was cool to see so many people so excited about these guys! he venue itself was odd to me, as it was a theater so it was all seated. Having said that, I realize it actually is more normal for K-Pop shows to have seats, but I was ready to fight people to get as close to the stage as humanly possible. Instead, I was seated with a great view three rows back.
Sound check was so short – only two songs! – and I have no clue how normal that is. The only other VIP experience I can really compare something like that to is Bastille’s several years ago. But they did songs and a Q&A type thing. Right after that we did our high touch and group photos. The high touch continues to be a lame experience for me. Walking by quickly for a high five…sigh. The group photos also crack me up because eventually I will get a photo with the guys and seven other complete strangers. Then right after that they quickly set up for the fan sign. That was an equally quick experience, though I did get some good responses to letting them know it will be my first time seeing them live. KB and Nine have charisma and charm for days. They were for sure the most personable in these encounters.
There was a short break before the doors opened for the actual show to take place. I don’t know that the show was sold out, but I really didn’t care. I was only focused on how close I was to the stage and how well I could see them perform. They were so good! They nailed the dancing for even their most complex songs (here’s looking at you “Seoul Drift”!), and there was even more live vocals than I was expecting from them. Mill totally thrives in performances – he’s fun and confident. Likewise, KB & Nine were really interactive with the audience and liked playing around with us and each other. Junj is just naturally shy, but this Toronto crowd absolutely loved him the most. Yoojung seemed a bit reserved but still pleasant. Maybe he’s still got some jet lag.
I was happy with the setlist other than the absence of “Sage,” though I suppose hoping for that was more wishful thinking than anything. “Stay” ended up being more awesome than I was expecting, and it’s no surprise that “Gaslighting,” “Libido,” and “Skinz” totally slapped. There were plenty of upbeat and fast moving sections, several outfit changes, and even a seated (barely) ballad portion. I was bummed there were no light sticks onsite to be purchased, but that just means I cheered extra loud. The individual songs were cut short, which I wasn’t expecting, but I love that they included Rie’s in the package. Overall, they were great!
Then after the show is when all of the individual photos took place. I had initially only gotten myself a group photo to get with them by myself, but as a bonus from the company for reaching so many social media followers, they threw in a premium snap shot photo with one of the members. I got my larger polaroid with Yoojung and it’s pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. While these guys got lots of love that night it’s still a dirty shame that they aren’t bigger than they are. They are the most unique group I’ve listened to so far! But all in all, it was a wonderful experience and I hope to get to see them again someday.
