On Sunday, February 18, MCND, the K-Pop group, made their last stop on their ODD-VENTURE Tour 2024 in Los Angeles, California, just nine days before the anniversary of their debut on February 27. Four years since the group's debut and two years since they toured in the U.S., created much anticipation for the occasion, a sweet time for both the group and GEM (MCND's fandom name) on the last night of their tour. But this wasn't just the second time MCND has been to LA as the five-members group -- consisting of CASTLE J, BIC, MINJAE, HUIJUN, and WIN -- counted in their beginning speech that this was their, "... fifth, sixth, or actually seventh time coming..." as they were thinking of the memories here shooting a music video, touring, and more. The energy was palpable from the moment the opening video flashed across the screen showcasing each member, and the beats of their first three songs filled the air.
After releasing their 5th mini-album, "ODD-VENTURE," in November 2023, they kicked
off the night with two songs form the album -- "ODD-VENTURE" and "Cruise." In between the second and third songs, the group introduced themselves --- and played Rock-paper-scissors ("gawi-bawi-bo") to see who would do the dance break for their song "Crush." **DRUM ROLL ~~~" HUIJUN stole the performance with his dance break and then the members smoothly joined him from the left of the stage as Win started up his rap. After the performance of "Crush," Castle J complimented Huijun's dance break by letting him know,
"Huijun, your dance break, you ate that!"
Already off to an electrifying performance with the high intensity of the previous song. MCND went onto the light-hearted “Pop Star.” Throughout the night the members would tease the following songs and make fan’s hearts flutter as Castle J explained that the fifth song of the night was for Gems and that while writing the song they thought of Gems because they are MCND’s “Treasure.” Fans waved their arms from left to right and soaked in the moment of the heartfelt song. Each song was accompanied by pretty visuals (abstract shapes, bursts of colors, etc.) on screen that matched the song’s vibes from a swirling vortex for “Treasure” that allowed you to dive more into the trances of the song to the beginning of “Back to you” where the screen looked like yellowish-orange bokeh moving.
It was "Back to you" that stole the show, a breathtakingly beautiful slow ballad that showcased the members' vocal prowess. The piano ending and the lights that shone down on each member left the audience in awe. As Castle J and the members exited the stage just before the brief intermission, he leaped into the air, forming a heart with his arms raised high above his head, eliciting laughter and cheers from the audience.
Each intermission kept the fans engaged as videos of MCND indulging in each others’ convenience store food combinations (noodles with sausages, different flavors, snacks, etc.) and tour interviews would play. Returning from intermission, the energy skyrocketed with "Player" as fans sang along “bang bang bang” and the stage bathed in flashing red lights as Bic led the crowd in jumping and smiling along. The excitement peaked during "nanana," with powerful orange lights shining on the stage, and the crowd hyping the members up with chants of "aye aye aye." Ending “nanana” the members looked drained as they drank their water and sat down after giving it their all during each song but didn’t want to show it as much. The members joked around about being tired as Minjae said the members were down (like man down) but Castle J got right up like ‘no, I’m not tired’ as he exaggeratedly shook his legs walking towards Minjae.
The members teased the song “Juice” by asking the crowd if they liked juice and then saying what their favorite juices were like apple juice. A fan in the crowd said soju but Castle J thought the fan said “Seong Jun” which sounded like his real name therefore creating the joke of the night and laughter all around. Right at the beginning of “Juice” the members do a hip thrust and fans in the crowd all collectively look at each other in disbelief and say, “Oh Ooh!” Later in the song Minjae teased a shirt lift that would be a foreshadowing of events to come. At one point the members were lifting their shirts showing their abs and messing with Castle J exposing his abs for a good minute. During the chorus of “Play Pungak,” the members moved to the rhythm of the song with smooth body rolls. The energy of “H.B.C” had both the crowd and the members jumping, culminating in a moment where Castle J, caught Minjae taking a sip of water, which led to them both playfully splashing the crowd with their water bottles at the song's peak, eliciting ecstatic screams from the audience.
MCND went through four different outfit changes starting with the biker rock style then going to the sporty and playful jerseys to blue denim outfits and lastly to their tour merch. During the performance of “Run” the lights dimmed down as they got into formation. As the lights flickered back on they danced around as echoing screams started to come from different areas of the crowd. Castle J, now more visible, flashed a knowing smile as the cheers intensified. Not only did he become visible, so did his upper body between the denim vest. Smiling as the cheers grew louder, he knew what he was doing, Bic had to glance behind him to catch on to what was going on, breaking out into a big smile and laugh.
Going back and forth all night this concert was filled with so much energy and humorous personalities and showcasing each member's talents in rapping, vocals, and dance. Huijun hit a high note during his solo of “W.A.T.1,” witnessing his vocal strength. Nearing the end of the show the members made the announcement that two songs were left and the fans all simultaneously let out a devastating and long “no.” Always coming back for an encore, phones were out in full force, capturing every moment of the encore for fans to relive again and again with songs like “#MOOD”, “Not over,” “TOP GANG,” and lastly a much-anticipated “ICE AGE” from their debut album into the ICE AGE. Grabbing the water bottles as if they were determined to drain every last drop from them. Splashing, pouring, and spraying water on each other, they also doused the crowd. Erupted into a deafening roar as the concert reached its epic conclusion.
From watching the dance cover series on MCND’s YouTube page titled “Play Music Ground,” they were bound to show their dancing at the concert especially when “ODD-VENTURE,” “JUICE,” and “Not Over,” played. Not only their dance skills but their upbeat and powerful songs gave an infectious energy and fans sang along to the lyrics and mimicked the moves in the crowd. Each member appeared to have a blast on stage, creating a memorable moment that both fans and the group alike will cherish, filled with smiles and laughter.
Castle J not only dazzled fans with his stage presence and rapping skills but also literally sparkled, sporting shiny gems below his eyes and near his tear ducts. Win gave powerful and smooth rap verses as Bic showed his versatile fast rapping and vocals. Huijun and Minjae blew the crowd away with their vocal range and dance moves. Experiencing the music, crafted by Castle J and the group, was a mesmerizing experience. Every member stole each fan's attention with their infectious smiles, performance, and talent.
As the group’s name stands for “Music Creates a New Dream” Huijun expressed disbelief at already sharing his final thoughts of the tour as it was coming to an end. He acknowledged the unwavering support of U.S. Gems, despite not having seen them for a while. Win reflected on the tour’s journey starting in Japan then traveling to Europe and concluding in the U.S. The members thanked everyone involved and the fans. Minjae yelled through the microphone
“I love you GEM”
creating cheers all around and as the venue went silent a fan yelled
“I love you”
and Minjae reciprocated that with a strong
“I love you too.”
Ready to embark on their next journey, whether that be new music or promising to return with even more passion and energy for their devoted fans, we look forward to what MCND has in store for the near future.
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Written and Photographed by Aliyah H.
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