Time to spotlight a second-gen K-pop group who is on tour after a long while – HIGHLIGHT (formerly known as Beast)!
It was an opportune time for a tour as HIGHLIGHT x Beast celebrates their 15th anniversary. Their first stop for the HIGHLIGHT LIVE 2024 [LIGHTS GO ON, AGAIN] Asia Tour is Hong Kong – at Asia World-Expo Hall 10 on 22 June 2024.
The fans, affectionately known as Lights (or B2uty), received a random concert-exclusive photocard, before being illuminated with the opening VCR. The VCR depicted the members walking in a dark, deserted area before they encountered ‘Light’.
Then, the dramatic reveal of the tour name on screen – Lights Go On Again, was the cue for HIGHLIGHT to “Switch On” the rock version of this song from their 5th mini-album. Their vocals were clear and crisp to the delight of fans.
HIGHLIGHT, accompanied by all-male dancers, performed Privacy next. The stable live performance presented a charismatic and clean choreography.
Decked out in black sequined blazers and slick hairstyles, they continued performing to a suave and chic song, Paper Cut, from their fourth EP After Sunset. Dongwoon’s rich, deep vocals really stood out here.
Before the members moved on to perform songs that gave cheerful vibes, they had their opening ment as HIGHLIGHT introduced themselves individually in Cantonese.
It was amazing to hear such quality vocals even as their choreography included a lot of levels, jumps, and fast choreography to songs like Feel Your Love (48.6Hertz) and Give You My All. Give You My All was a special digital single specially released for Lights on their 14th anniversary last year.
They probably heard Lights calling for them to the extended stage during Calling You, as they roamed across the stage to say hello to the audience. The LED screens captured close-ups of the member’s fan service, so no one missed out.
HIGHLIGHT then sang their “debut” title track, Plz don’t be sad. As the name suggests, fans cheered and lighted up at Yoseop’s high notes, Du Jun’s flying kiss, and Gi Kwang’s sweet ad-libs for fans.
After spending some time at the extended stage, they headed back to the main stage to shake their “Body” with us! Since Body was the most recent comeback song for HIGHLIGHT, the fan chant was audible amidst the quiet crowd.
Another VCR played which hinted at classic hit songs of their former persona. HIGHLIGHT had recently reclaimed the trademark for ‘Beast’, definitely a cause for celebration for long-time B2uties.
Fans were in a frenzy and the atmosphere heated up immediately the moment Gi Kwang sang the iconic introduction to Beast’s debut song, Bad Girl. As they rose from the platform stage, we observed a 360-outfit change – an all-white ensemble that almost seemed like what they wore back when they debuted in 2009.
Many rose and light bongs (light sticks) bolted up when Shock was next. The audience responded to HIGHLIGHT x Beast as they shouted “Shock” during the fan chant.
Du Jun stood out specially when he rapped during Special. Other members continued to show their charisma with the next two songs, Shadow, and Good Luck.
It was a surreal moment to hear HIGHLIGHT introducing themselves as Beast. For the fans in Hong Kong, it was six years of waiting for HIGHLIGHT x Beast to appear in person.
Fans also called Dongwoon ‘Son Nam Shin’ – a familiar fan nickname to express his handsome aura.
Most Beast songs have dance breaks, including the song which made us held our “Breath” (Soom). The members were well-matched and balanced during this performance even with the fast and sharp choreography.
Lights could also listen to perfect harmonisation when HIGHLIGHT sang one of their iconic Beast songs, On Rainy Days.
It was followed by slowed down versions of Ribbon, and Fiction. They looked ethereal as they sang their hearts out like they were going through multiple heartbreaks.
Beast did not get stuck in the past as they then reminded the fans that this was “Not The End”.
Decked out in denim fits and shifting the focus back to HIGHLIGHT, their longevity is often admired by other idols as a second-generation K-pop group that is still active.
HIGHLIGHT went free and easy on stage as they expressed their love for fans with upbeat songs like In My Head, Don’t Leave, and Beautiful. It was apt for full-time youtubers Du Jun and Yoseop who took out their phones to capture the moment on stage as they sang to Beautiful from their Lights Go On Again mini-album.
Lights x B2uties were treated as “V.I.U (Very Important U)”, with waves, winks, and hearts from HIGHLIGHT. Their harmonization here was my personal favourite.
They continued with another light-hearted and lovely song – How To Love (2024), complete with pink confetti.
The atmosphere then turned sentimental with a throwback to How To Love (2013) as handwritten lyrics appear on screen as the finale.
The production was a meaningful one despite short cheers from fans and a relatively short setlist. While the stage set up was simple, it actually allowed their vocals and dance to truly shine on stage. Thank you HIGHLIGHT x BEAST!
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