There were other booths put up by sponsors, giving out blankets, tote bags, and large foam lightsticks. It was too crowded here with all seating occupied, so I decided to just start heading to my seat. There were several lines to get through security, which only took a few minutes. They checked bags and had everyone go through a metal detector.
This is the view from my seat! I was in Ramp Seat E Row 2 Seat 4. I was really surprised at how close I was with no obstructed view! The Ramp Seat section only has 3 rows, and you can see just how much legroom I have in the second row. You can also slide a portable table in front of your seat. I was also the fourth seat from the inner aisle, and the furthest seat is Seat 7.
I got to my seat just after 5PM. A lot of people had started entering the venue, since the box seats are meant for people to dine, I guess people started their dinners early. Here's the view of the rest of the venue to give an idea of just how large the Hollywood Bowl is.
My section was beginning to fill up. The entire row behind me and my row (except for my seat and the empty seat next to me) were young women all for Taemin and Super Junior, as expected. I am very shy and won't cheer for my group if I'm alone. But then soon enough, another young woman with a Lovelyz lightstick sat next to me! I'm forever grateful that fate had brought us together and that we could cheer for our girls in full force!
The pre-show began at about 6:10PM with high school students performing samulnori (traditional Korean percussion music), and led by a Korean professor. One student even came to the end of the extended stage and performed a choreography with a long ribbon attached to his hat. I'll take the time now to talk about the stage layout. There is the main stage, then there is a small extended stage (like a walkway) that covers the middle part of the Pool Circle section. Then there is a curved brick wall that artists can also walk on to be a bit closer to the audience. There are also two large screens on the sides of the venue.
Ending the pre-show was Ha Sungwoon, another artist in the lineup, who sang the Korean National Anthem. Here he is walking off the stage.
At about 6:25PM the VCR was playing to introduce the lineup. My section is at the far left, so I could only see about half the screen on the main stage. But here's the shot for Lovelyz!
Next they announced the two MCs for the night: Kim Yeong Cheol and Lovelyz' Kei! I was so excited that Kei would be on stage throughout the night, and that she could showcase her MC skills during Lovelyz' US schedule as well.
Soon after, the two MCs made their entrance onto the stage! Unfortunately Kei was always standing on the far side, to the left of Yeong Cheol. But this was my very first time seeing a Lovelyz member, it felt so surreal! Yeong Cheol spoke in both English and Korean and engaged with the crowd really well and got the crowd going. I was surprised at just how great of an entertainer he is! Kei introduced herself in English, "Hello, I'm Kei from Lovelyz!" A lot of the banter was in Korean so it was hard to understand, but Yeong Cheol's energy and Kei's lovely charm made them great MCs. At one point Yeong Cheol said in English how Kei's nervous tonight, so we should cheer for her. Then Kei spoke in English, "Thank you so much everyone. I feel so much better and thanks to your support I'm going to give you my all tonight."
The two MCs then announced that Yeong Cheol would be the first performer. Then Kei exited the stage from my side! She seriously looks like a goddess!
Yeong Cheol performed "따르릉 (Ring Ring)" and "안되나용 (Andenayon)" along with four backup dancers on both the main stage and extended stage. After his performance, Yeong Cheol announced that Lovelyz would be next!
I quickly asked the row behind me if I could stand up for Lovelyz, and the girls kindly let me. My new Lovelinus friend and I stood up right behind the second row and cheered for our group. The Lovelyz members wore white spring outfits. They got into position on the main stage and soon the music for "That Day" began to play! We tried to do the name fanchant and failed miserably (flashback to my failed "Let Me" attempt while seeing Golden Child at KCON LA!). By the third time we were supposed to shout their names, we were able to collectively shout all 8 names!
Even though the girls were focused on perfecting their performance, at one point Jin and Jisoo (pictured) waved to the audience, and soon after Sujeong did too!
After "That Day", the girls reconvened in the center then introduced themselves in English, "Hello, we are Lovelyz!" Yein did so well to communicate with the audience in English, saying that the girls are happy to be performing in LA and asking if we are excited. Then Yein turned to Babysoul and put her on the spot, "And how about your feelings, Soul?" Babysoul was so adorable, "I'm...so happy." Yein replied, "You're happy," then Mijoo jumped up and down with her arm raised and said, "Me too, me too!" Then Yein asked if we're happy. Yein is so great at bringing the members together and interacting with the audience, all in English! Yein then introduced the next song, "Hi~!"
Lovelyz performed "Hi~" on the main stage. I had no idea they'd perform this title, so I felt bad not to have practiced this fanchant...the girls performed the song really well and at the end they waved to the audience.
After "Hi~", Kei went off the stage while Yein continued their ment.
Yein said, "There's only one song left, right...so sorry!" and Mijoo chimed in, "So sad". Yein introduced the next song as another great song then gave the ending ment, "Thank you for supporting us and we really want to come here once again. Mijoo then turned to Yein and said her English is good! Yein chuckled and said, "Thank you, Mijoo." Then Mijoo said, "Me too?" because they sound similar. Yein replied with, "You too". Mijoo then turned to Babysoul and said, "Me too." Soul replied with "Good good". Yein then said, "They are good too" and asked the other members to practice their English but Soul gently declined.
Yein then said that their next song is "Ah-Choo" and just before the members began singing the line leading up to the chorus (
너는 내 맘 모르지), Kei joined the group again. Then the girls sang the line and pointed their mics to the audience, and we screamed, "Ah-Choo!" The girls did it again and we shouted "Ah-Choo" even louder.
As the girls were getting into position for the last song, Mijoo said, "I love you!" to the audience. As the song started, Yein shouted the same as she waved toward the center and made a heart. Then Yein (pictured) turned to our direction and waved too!
The fanchant for "Ah-Choo" is more straightforward, so my friend and I were able to get most of it down!
During the last chorus, the girls walked onto the extended stage, waving to those in Pool Circle, and then onto the brick wall to get closer to the rest of the audience! The girls high fived those in Pool Circle.
Yein came the closest to the left side but then quickly walked back toward the center.
The girls then went back through the extended stage and exited on the left. MC Yeong Cheol came back out and started singing the line leading up to the chorus of "Ah-Choo" (
너는 내 맘 모르지). Yein was the last to leave the stage, and she did the dance move for when they sing the line "Ah-Choo"! Lovelyz' entire stage time lasted about 13 minutes and 40 seconds.
At one point during Lovelyz' set, the other girl next to me pointed out that the cameraman was filming my friend and me. He focused on us for quite some time as we continued cheering for Lovelyz! I wonder where that footage is...
After Lovelyz' performance, MC Yeong Cheol came back out solo to introduce the next performer, Ha Sungwoon. Sungwoon performed "Bird", "오.꼭.말 (Tell Me I Love You)", and "마법의 성 (The Magic Castle)". He didn't have many ments in comparison to all the other Kpop acts of the night. Pictured above is "Bird" where Sungwoon is sitting on a box that the backup dancers are lifting up.
MCs Yeong Cheol and Kei came back on stage. They were positioned on the far right side of the stage, with Kei at the very end. Every time the MCs came back on stage, they'd always be in this position so it was very difficult to see Kei! The banter during this segment was almost entirely in Korean, but it was really adorable when Yeong Cheol began singing the line leading up to the chorus of "Ah-Choo" (
너는 내 맘 모르지) and Kei and Lovelinus shouted "Ah-Choo" but then Yeong Cheol shouted the song he performed "따르릉". The MCs then announced the sponsors in English. I'm so proud of Kei!
The next performer was Choi Jin Hee, who performed three songs. Throughout her performance, as well as others throughout the night, we could see both MCs off stage on the far side! Kei would sometimes be dancing to the song, waving to the audience, or reviewing her script. She also wore a sweater while off stage, which is relieving, because it was getting pretty chilly!
Both MCs came back out as the next performer was preparing their stage. Kei sang a little bit to the audience! Then the two MCs spoke about Kei's appearance on "Knowing Brothers" the previous night. Kei sang again, this time about television? I'm so happy she's able to share her beautiful voice as an MC! She continued singing after the audience shouted for an encore.
6Band was up next, and performed four songs. They were very energetic and owned the stage well. Kei was in view for a minute, dancing to the performance and waving to the audience! Both MCs came back out to the right side and reflected on 6Band's performance. Then Yeong Cheol mentioned "Lovelyz band" and I screamed; it'd be so cool to see a subunit as a band! Then both MCs went onto the extended stage to continue and announce Super Junior as the next performer.
The crowd was up on their feet as soon as Super Junior came on stage and began performing "Sorry Sorry". I sat in my seat and let the girls behind me to stand in front so they could have their time to fangirl. For one song with a lot of fanservice, some members walked on the brick wall and others even walked down the aisles in the audience! They had fairly long ments and their set lasted about 20 minutes. They performed "Sorry Sorry", "Bonamana", "One More Chance", and "Miracle". After Super Junior's set, there was a 20 minute intermission as announced by a pre-recorded message.
Opening up the second half was opera singer Choi Wonhyun, who performed one song (a really famous one that I think was sung in one of the more recent Mission Impossible movies...?). Then the other opera singer, Kang Hyejung, performed "I Could Have Danced All Night". The two then came together to perform "Tonight" from West Side Story and a foreign song. Other than Lovelyz, the set performed by the opera singing duo really stood out for me. Their vocals are absolutely breathtaking and I'm happy to have seen their performance!
Both MCs came back out and they had an outfit change! Kei went from a bright pink mini dress to a white mini dress. (It became quite dark at this point, so my photos didn't turn out as well, hence a lack in photos here...) The next performer was Tae Jinah, who came out in a long vibrant yellow coat and matching wide-brimmed hat. He came onto the extended stage and onto the brick wall. After Tae Jinah's performance, the MCs came back on stage for about four minutes.
Next was Apink's Jeong Eunji! Before Lovelyz' debut, I liked listening to Apink's music and saw them live on their Pink Memory tour in LA back in 2016, so I was very excited to see Eunji perform live again. Eunji looked so simplistically elegant with her bob cut, white oversized top, and skinny jeans. She came out from the back of the stage and made her way to the main stage while singing "Hopefully Sky", then walking to both sides of the main stage. She then began her opening ment in Korean, and someone cheered her name like "Euuuunnnjiiii" and Eunji cutely replied "Okaaaaaaaaayy thank you" before continuing again, then laughing at the funny interaction. Her first ment was about one minute. She then performed "Being There" at the center of the main stage. She had another short ment in Korean (about 40 seconds) before performing a cover of "Running In The Sky". Eunji got the crowd clapping along then went onto the extended stage to sing. She walked down both sides of the brick wall while high fiving Pool Circle and waving to the audience. After she finished singing, she humbly thanked the audience in Korean. Her set was about 12 minutes and 45 seconds long. The MCs came back out to the far side for a shorter ment and to introduce the next performer.
Kim Bumsoo performed next, with four songs. It really felt like a Kim Bumsoo solo concert when he performed "I Miss You". He asked the audience to shine their flashlights, creating a sea of white as he performed his iconic song. At one point, he also sang while walking in the audience.
After Bumsoo's set, both MCs came out to the far side of the stage for under two minutes to introduce the next artist, Taemin. Though I let the girls behind me go up closer for Super Junior, I had never seen Taemin in person and wanted to see his dancing live. Right after the MCs announced Taemin, I quickly moved closer and managed to get a decent view. So many people yelled the fanchants and waved their lightsticks, it felt like a Taemin solo concert. Taemin first performed "Move" on the main stage with several backup dancers. Next he sang a ballad, "Hypnosis". Lastly he performed "Want" on the main stage.
Both MCs came back out to the far side of the stage for about two and a half minutes before the last performer came out. DJ DOC was the closing act, and they were quite lively. They came out to the extended stage and walked on the brick wall. DJ DOC performed four songs.
The MCs came out one last time on the far side of the stage and slowly made their way to the center of the stage while the other performers walked back on the stage one by one. The MCs had called Taemin back to the stage but Eunji came out instead. Then Kei cutely called out for Lovelyz, "러블리즈 나와 주세요". Noticeably Super Junior didn't come back on stage. Then all the artists on stage performed a mashup of songs, including the classic "Sunset Glow". I'm so glad Lovelyz ended up being on the far left side to start off this last stage!
Slowly the artists came out onto the extended stage and brick wall, waving to the audience and high fiving Pool Circle.
Eunji came to the far left side, followed by two members of 6Band, and then Lovelyz! The phrase "so close, yet so far away" captures this moment the best >.<
After a few minutes, the performers managed to switch sides so Lovelyz went to the very end of the far side but no one came back to the far left side for awhile. Then Sungwoon and Taemin came over to the far side.
As all the other artists were already on the main stage, Lovelyz was still at the very end giving fan service! MC Yeong Cheol came back out to the extended stage to wrap up the concert as Lovelyz slowly made their way back to the main stage. Yeong Cheol left as the rest of the Lovelyz members took their time. Lovelyz stayed an extra minute and 10 seconds after the other performers had already left! Pictured above are Mijoo, Kei, and Jin along with Yeong Cheol as two more Lovelyz members were still on the brick wall.
The concert ended at about 10:50PM. After the concert, my Lovelinus friend and I headed to the nearest exit. At the backside of the venue, we saw a gated off area along with carrier trucks inside and fans lining the gate. It turns out, Yeong Cheol and Kim Bumsoo were saying hi to the fans and Yeong Cheol even took selcas with fans. A few minutes later, the two rolled their suitcases across the gated area and left. Other people were across the gated area and rolled their suitcases, but we weren't sure if they were performers or not.
The fans soon filed out after that, leaving my Lovelinus friend, myself, and we found a male Lovelinus also waiting! The three of us decided to wait it out, just in case. Then at 10:58PM we saw a few girls exiting on the far end with their suitcases. We were unsure if they were Lovelyz, but then more girls came out, so we shouted "Lovelyz" and they waved at us! Lovelinus were definitely hard to come by today, but I'm so thankful for the woman sitting next to me and for running into the guy, and for all of us to cheer for Lovelyz at the end.
Afterwards the Lovelinus I sat with and I left together. There was a lot of traffic on the hill, so we walked about 25 minutes down the hill where it would be easier to catch a ride.
Overall, I'm so happy that Lovelyz has finally come to North America to perform and to have found other Lovelinus to cheer the girls on together! My two regrets are not greeting Kei at LAX and not properly learning the fanchants, both due to being afraid. I definitely got far out of my comfort zone with Golden Child last year, but somehow I had lost all my courage with Lovelyz! I need to not have regrets next time!
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