LOS ANGELES — Imagine this: You haven’t even been a group for a full year, and you’re already taking the stage at the iconic Kia Forum for your first-ever headlining show in LA. That’s exactly what BABYMONSTER, YG Entertainment’s latest powerhouse group, just did. SHEEEEESH!
The seven-member multinational group—RUKA, PHARITA, ASA, AHYEON, RAMI, RORA, and CHIQUITA—has rapidly taken the global K-pop scene by storm; with members hailing from Korea, Thailand, and Japan.
Their debut tour kicked off with a bang, making stops at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., before storming into the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Just one day after their L.A. stop, BABYMONSTER announced a second leg of the tour, adding new dates in Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta, Fort Worth, Oakland, and Seattle.
With a jam-packed 25-song setlist, BABYMONSTER delivered hit after hit, including fan favorites “DRIP,” “BATTER UP,” and “SHEESH.”
MONSTIEZ, the fans, filled the venue dressed in their best “DRIP,” complete with devil horn accessories that paid tribute to the group’s symbol.
As the lights dimmed, the words “THIS IS BABYMONSTER” flashed across the screen with an eruption of cheers following. Moments later, the members rose from the stage to kick things off with an high-energy performance of “DRIP.”
A live band accompanied the group throughout the night, adding an extra punch to their already powerful sound. As the opening notes of “BATTER UP” played, the crowd echoed the lyrics.
During a short break to catch their breath, the group introduced themselves, expressing excitement for their Los Angeles fans and fueling more screams and excitement from the crowd.
“I’m so nervous, but it has always been our dream to be on a world tour. I still cannot believe that I am actually here,” said Asa before they kicked off the next set.
Following the speeches, tracks like “CLIK CLAK,” “LIKE THAT,” and “SHEESH” kept the energy high, with “SHEESH” drawing the loudest cheers of the night. It was an especially fiery performance (quite literally) with flames erupting from the stage.
The show included a deeply emotional moment showcasing a VCR before the solo performances, featuring childhood clips and audition videos for the members. It was a pure and nostalgic look back at their long journey, showing their growth from where they started to where they are now, taking you through their journey with you.
The footage highlighted vulnerable moments, such as shed tears and open acknowledgments of how tough the journey has been—something raw I’ve never seen from a K-pop group before. The video amplified the experience, giving it a personal and sentimental feel, even if you’re just a casual listener.
After the heartfelt moments, the solo cover stages began, with each member showcasing their talents and taking center stage.
RORA performing “Someone You Loved” highlighted her stunning vocals providing a contrast to the night’s high energy. While PHARITA delivered “What Other People Say” in an elegant white ensemble, seamlessly moving across the stage for a heartfelt, intimate performance.
RAMI stunned with “Pick Up Your Feelings,” blending a soulful guitar intro with powerhouse vocals. Her riffs and high notes? Insane.
ASA owned “Godzilla” with red lights, intense beats, and a killer rap flow—rocking a leather jacket and the biggest pink stompers. RUKA dominated track “Gwola,” starting in a white fur coat before a dramatic reveal. Up-close camera shots made her performance unforgettable.
ASA and RUKA teamed up for their duet performance of “Woke Up in Tokyo” (yup, they’re the two Japanese members), delivering high-energy, interactive rap with a bold pink and blue aesthetic.
CHIQUITA poured her heart into “traitor,” delivering a raw, emotional ballad with jaw-dropping high notes. Who hurt her?! Closing was AHYEON with “Dangerously,” proving that minimal movement and powerhouse vocals can captivate an entire venue.
Slowing things down, the group came together again to perform “Love, Maybe” dressed in dazzling white ensembles. Rami and Ahyeon took charge vocally with powerful whistle notes and emotional deliveries. This softer moment smoothly transitioned into “BILLIONAIRE,” where the members sparkled (literally) in reflective and shiny statement outfits.
After the set and solos, the group spoke to MONSTIEZ again, with Rami sharing, “Since the debut, we’ve always been together on stage, so these (solo) stages were a big challenge for us.” But it all paid off, with each member’s energy and vibe shining through.
Building on that emotional connection, BABYMONSTER then honored their seniors with a medley of 2NE1’s “Clap Your Hands” and “Go Away,” filling the venue with nostalgia. Flashing red lights, a hyped-up crowd, and the girls jumping around the stage made this tribute one for the books.
Finally, the encore brought things full circle. With heartfelt performances of “Forever” and “Love in My Heart,” the crowd was lit up with pink confetti and flashing lightsticks. Just when we thought it was over, the members ran back for one last round of “SHEESH,” “DRIP,” “Love in My Heart,” “Stuck in the Middle” and “BATTER UP,” playfully grabbing fans’ phones and making lasting memories.
As they closed off the show the members showed even more gratitude indisually, with happiness and love for all that showed up to support.
“We’ve been having such a fun time in the U.S. Our first tour, we’re all just experiencing new things and new environments, and as a group that is just turning almost one year old, it is so special for us to be performing at such a big venue,” said Pharita.
This is just the beginning for BABYMONSTER and the <HELLO MONSTERS> tour—there’s so much more to come as they make their way to new dates! More information below.
TICKETS
Tickets for the newly added shows will be available starting on Friday, March 7 at 3pm local time at livenation.com.
VIP
Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, access to the post show send-off event, access to the pre-show soundcheck party, specially designed VIP gift item & more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
BABYMONSTER 1st WORLD TOUR <HELLO MONSTERS> Tour Dates:
Sat Aug 30 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Tue Sep 02 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
Fri Sep 05 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Sun Sep 07 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Wed Sep 10 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Fri Sep 12 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
FOR MORE OF BABYMONSTER:
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