What an absolutely thrilling day it was on September 8 when the crisp Autumn breeze swept through Louisville! The city's refreshing weather created the perfect backdrop for K-Pop enthusiasts from all over to flock to Portal Louisville, the vibrant host of The “KPOP Breakout Tour.” Organized by the dynamic team at Leo Presents, a shining star in the K-Pop event realm, The ‘KPOP Breakout Tour’ is an electrifying ongoing adventure showcasing the talents of emerging groups TRENDZ, CRAXY, ICHILLIN’, and the sensational solo artist U-CHAE. The atmosphere was alive with anticipation as FRIENDZ, CROWN, Willing, Nature (the fandom names of each artist), and a multitude of fans eagerly gathered at the venue's entrance, poised to step into the Portal Louisville and meet their favorite rising stars!
As fans lined up in excitement, received their wristbands, and collected their gifts for the artists, the moment had finally arrived for the fan benefits to kick off! Fans entered the venue for the first event of the evening, a meet-and-greet fan sign with all 19 incredibly talented artists! Attendees traversed the impressive lineup of artists, each having a brief moment to chat with the artist as they signed fans' memorabilia (choosing from an album, concert poster, or photo cards). Leading the line was TRENDZ, who set an energetic tone for the fan sign by engaging attendees with smiles, questions about their journey, inquiries about their excitement, and wrapping up with heartfelt gratitude. Following was the sensational U-Chae, radiating with joy. As she thanked attendees for their presence, she also shared her nervousness about delivering a stellar performance for the audience. The members of ICHILLIN' were up next, showcasing their English skills by personalizing fans' memorabilia with their names and even teasing about the stages they were most looking forward to. Wrapping up the fan sign was the powerhouse girl-group CRAXY. Fresh off their appearance at KCON in LA less than two months ago, the girls were thrilled and touched to reunite with fans who had met them at KCON.
The first to grace the stage was the talented solo artist and lyricist, U-Chae, who truly captivated the audience and set the audience's excitement with her song "Wait for you." U-Chae, formerly the youngest member of PIXY, burst onto the scene with the hit single "Wings" under ALLART Entertainment. On July 31, 2024, she made her solo debut with the mesmerizing mini album 'AWAKE' under JUNITY Entertainment. The crowd erupted with cheers as she flawlessly transitioned into performing "Awake" and "Alright," showcasing her remarkable ability to electrify the stage and connect with fans all throughout the venue. As her time on stage neared its end, the audience couldn't get enough of her, but U-Chae, always considerate of others, gracefully closed her set with the heartfelt song she wrote for her fans, "One Sweet Day." The venue was filled with fans singing along and sharing moments of gratitude and encouragement. What a truly unforgettable performance by the soulful solo artist, U-Chae!
After such a heartfelt performance, it was time for ICHILLIN' to ignite the energy of the attendees who couldn't help but dance and sing along to the 80's punk vibes of "Kickstart." The crowd went wild with cheers, and members E.Ji, Jiyoon, Jackie, Joonie, Chaerin, Yeju, and Chowon' kept the momentum going with a fantastic group and individual member introduction. Throughout the night, they ramped up the excitement with each song - from "GOT'YA" to "Alarm," and a sassy cover of Meghan Trainor's "Me too." The members even took a brief water break to chat with fans, sharing the significance of the day - September 8, their debut anniversary! Celebrating their third year together, fans and staff showed their love with a signed poster of encouraging messages and a stunning three-tiered anniversary cake. As the anticipation soared for their next stage, "DEMIGOD!," ICHILLIN' engaged the audience in a sing-along, showcasing their rap, soulful vocals, and captivating dance moves. Fans couldn't help but shower them with praise, declaring that they "ATE" and "SLAY(ed)" the stage. Wrapping up the night with their latest release, "On My Lips," and the fan-favorite "La Luna," ICHILLIN' left everyone in awe of their talent and charisma!
Fresh off their electrifying showcase at KCON LA 2024 in late July, the phenomenal four-member girl-group, CRAXY, completely stole the show with their mind-blowing performance of "Crazy Racer!" The members -- Swan, Karin, Wooah, and Hyejin -- not only wowed the audience with their incredible talent but also won everyone over with their unique charm and skills, setting the stage on fire with their dynamic renditions of "Stupidz," an enchanting K-Pop dance cover medley, and "Nugudom." As they prepared for their epic finale, Swan was overcome with tears of happiness, touched by the amazing experience of performing for CROWN -- their devoted fans. The crowd rallied around Swan, showering her with cheers of encouragement, assuring her that everything was fantastic, and savoring every moment with CRAXY before concluding the show with the fan-favorite, and highly requested, "Masquerade." The audience exploded into thunderous applause, filling the venue with an energy that reverberated until the very last moment!
Wrapping up the electrifying 'KPOP Breakout Tour' with a bang was none other than the sensational 2022 rookie boy group, TRENDZ! These seven talented members - Havit, Leon, Yoonwoo, Hnkook, ra.L, Eunil, and Yechan - burst onto the scene under Great M Entertainment on January 5, 2022, with their explosive debut mini-album from the Blue Set series, featuring the chart-topping title track, "TNT (Truth & Trust)." As they graced the stage, the atmosphere crackled with an energy that was simply off the charts! The crowd erupted in thunderous roars as the opening notes of "VAGABOND" filled the venue. TRENDZ then delivered a mesmerizing performance of "TNT (Truth & Trust)," igniting a frenzy of cheers and applause from the ecstatic audience. Amidst the pulsating beats, ra.L paused to engage with their beloved fandom, FRIENDZ, asking if they were having the time of their lives - to which the resounding answer was a deafening 'YES!' The setlist was a masterful selection that showcased each member's unique talents - from their dynamic dance moves to soul-stirring vocals and fiery rap verses, proving their prowess as versatile and well-rounded artists. The show went on with spellbinding renditions of "CLIQUE," "ven conmigo," "WHO," "NEW DAYZ," a mesmerizing K-Pop dance medley, Eunil's soulful solo cover of Jungkook's "3D," Leon's captivating solo rendition of "Standing Next To You," the anthemic "MY WAY," and the heartfelt ballads "Be My Love," "FOREVER MORE," and "GLOW." As TRENDZ bid farewell, they made sure to connect with FRIENDZ through gestures of love - hand hearts, peace signs, and even singing directly to fans' phones. FRIENDZ reciprocated the affection by singing along to every song, filling the venue with an unending wave of cheers and adoration until the final, bittersweet goodbye.
And that's not all for the night! The energy was still high as attendees stepped outside, gearing up for the grand finale of the incredible benefits brought by Leo Presents. The venue was all set, the artists were ready to shine, and it was time for attendees to strike a pose for group photos and individual shots with all 19 of these exceptionally talented rising stars - allowing fans to choose their favorite poses! After the electrifying concert and fan perks, fans wrapped up the evening on a euphoric note by capturing selfies with the artist/(s) of their dreams!
TRENDZ, ICHILLIN', CRAXY, and U-Chae truly left an indelible mark on the 'KPOP Breakout Tour,' cementing their status as the next big things in the K-Pop scene! As the tour concluded on the West Coast, be sure to keep an eye on Leo Presents, -- the company making waves in U.S. tours -- and these rising artists!
K Fuse would like to thank the team at Leo Presents, U-CHAE, the members of TRENDZ, ICHILLIN', and CRAXY for the opportunity to provide coverage for this one-of-a-kind performance!
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