Photo Credit: SM Entertainment
On October 18th, the Olympic Park Handball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, was the venue for Kai’s debut solo concert tour named 'KAION'. This event marked a significant milestone in his career.
The concert was creatively divided into four distinct parts, each reflecting the emotional tone of the songs performed. These segments were themed as 'The Stranger in the Mirror', 'The Many Selves Within Me', 'All Selves Unite', and 'A New Journey of Mine'. This thematic approach, combined with the stage design that prominently featured Kai's English name typography 'KAI', VCRs that complemented the music, a gigantic LED screen, and an assortment of props, significantly enriched the visual impact of the show.
Kai commenced the show with 'Sinner' from his third mini album, dressed in vibrant red attire, and followed with 'Mmmh', the lead track from his first mini album, as well as 'Nothing On Me'. The atmosphere was electrified by fans chanting his real name, 'Kim Jongin', adding a personal touch to the performance.
Displaying a radiant smile, Kai seemed to bask in the affection from his fans as he expressed his delight at hosting his first solo concert 'KAION'. He made a point of connecting with fans in all sections of the venue, warmly asking, "Did you miss me?" and candidly sharing, "Today being the second day, I'm even more nervous than yesterday. The first day was filled with the excitement of 'Can I do this?', but today, it's about the desire to perform well and savor the moment."
The concert’s first act concluded with renditions of 'Hello Stranger' from his first mini album, 'Slidin'' from his third mini album, and 'Ride Or Die' from his first mini album.
The second act kicked off with Kai showcasing his dance skills to EXO's tracks 'My Lady', 'Baby Don't Cry', and 'Into Your World', all while dressed in a stylish three-piece suit. The audience joined in, singing along, which created a formidable stage presence. Kai further expressed his affection for his fans by forming a heart during the song 'Come In' from his second mini album.
Reflecting on the EXO medley, Kai remarked, "How did you find the EXO medley after such a long time?" He continued, "Dancing to EXO-L's chorus after so long was deeply moving. It reminded me of numerous precious memories from our debut to now. When 'Into Your World' played, I almost teared up."
He also shared, "I hope you enjoyed the opening and transition videos. Your feedback was fantastic. These segments depicted the journey of forming the new Kai. Did you perhaps uncover a new aspect of me? Even after 14 years, there’s much more to reveal. New elements keep emerging," assuring fans of a lasting connection.
Kai then reemerged on stage wearing rimless glasses, delivering performances of 'Vanilla' from his second mini album, the title track 'Peaches', and 'Adult Swim' from his fourth mini album.
Kai announced a shift in the musical atmosphere by donning a suit jacket. His dynamic performances of 'Wait On Me', the title track from his fourth mini album, 'Pressure', 'Walls Don't Talk', and 'Bomba' from his third mini album elicited tremendous applause from the audience.
The third act marked the concert’s pinnacle. Clad in a leather jacket and black cap, Kai performed an unreleased solo song 'Confession' and 'Domino' from his second mini album, elevating the concert's energy to its zenith.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Kai humorously referred to this phase as "the death section," met with resounding applause from EXO-L. He articulated his objectives for the concert: "Through this event, I aimed to demonstrate that I’ve returned, ensuring that the support and admiration you’ve given me was worthwhile. I wanted this to be a moment for you to reassess your feelings for me. Reinforcing beliefs like 'That's why I like Kai', or 'Only Kai satisfies me', 'My true dopamine is Kai'—these were my intentions."
He urged, "Let's go wild today," and then performed 'Reason' from his first mini album.
As the concert neared its conclusion, Kai expressed, "Today was genuinely a joyful and satisfying experience. I am immensely grateful that my fellow EXO members, Suho, Chanyeol, and D.O., attended the performance." He continued by saying, "The backing from my brothers made this concert possible. Thank you. I am thankful to my bandmates and to all of you for being part of my first solo concert 'KAION'. I promise to return with an even more remarkable performance." He then concluded the third act with his fan-favorite solo track 'Rover'.
Even after the concert officially ended, EXO-L continued to chant 'Kim Jongin'. In response, Kai returned to the stage to perform 'Blue' from his second mini album. He commented, "Thank you for the encore," adding, "This feels like the most exhausting performance I've ever given. 'Rover' consumed all my energy." While capturing the moment in photos, EXO-L surprised him with slogans declaring "Jongin, we love you," which moved him to tears.
Kai shared, "I'm incredibly touched and happy. This concert was a deeply emotional experience. While there were moments of fear and doubt, thoughts of you kept me going. Focusing solely on you made this concert possible. Being on stage brings me immense joy, and today reaffirmed that performing in front of you is my greatest passion. I will never forget this day," and he brought the Seoul concert to a grand finale with 'To Be Honest' from his second mini album.