CNBLUE serves up an audio-visual delight

Xinmsn reviewed/reported on the CSSG concert. 

http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/hallyu/cnblue-serves-up-an-audio-visual-delight#scpshrtu

It’s hard to imagine that just five years ago, CNBLUE was a struggling young band trying to get their feet wet by playing on the streets and in small clubs in Japan.

That humble beginning is a stark contrast from their Can’t Stop in Singapore live gig last night, where the South Korean quartet performed in front of 7,000 screaming fans.

Three gigantic LCD screens flashed an elaborate clock counting down to the start of the concert. When it seemed time for the boys to emerge, all eyes were glued to the stage, waiting to find out what kind of flashy entrance they would make.

But the way Jung Yong Hwa, Lee Jong Hyun, Lee Jung Shin and Kang Min Hyuk arrived on the scene was somewhat like their group’s early days – simple and straightforward, but eye-catching and ultimately effective: they casually walked out from the back of the arena (flanked by security, of course) onto the platform. Well, flying in on wires or leaping out from below deck wouldn’t be very CNBLUE, would it?

“Thank you for waiting for us; we’re very happy to see you again,” lead singer Yong Hwa crooned to the audience after the band finished rocking out to ‘Time is Over’, ‘Diamond Girl’ and ‘Intuition’.

In the one year and a month since their last show here, CNBLUE had released their fifth mini-album Can’t Stop, which meant that Boices (the official fandom name) had many fresh live renditions to indulge in. Just like Jung Shin promised during our interview the day before, the band played five out of the record’s six songs, including ‘Cold Love’, ‘Like a Child’ and the title track.

Older classics were certainly not forgotten. The cheering in the hall amplified tenfold when hot favourites like ‘I’m a Loner’ and ‘LOVE Girl’ came on, with devotees eagerly singing along without missing a beat (by the way, Yong Hwa told us that the band loves it when that happens, especially in countries outside of Korea).

Adding flavour to the already-stellar musical experience were the impressive stage effects. Pyrotechnics, lasers, confetti and coloured spotlights coordinated flawlessly with the beat and rhythm of each song, giving the eyes as much of a treat as the ears were getting (not that four good-looking boys passionately jamming their hearts out on stage wasn’t doing that already).

The evening ended on a more solemn note when Yong Hwa took some time to address the recent Sewol ferry accident. “Before our last song, I want to say something to thank you,” he said. “A few weeks ago, there was a tragedy in Korea, and many people there are grieving the loss. We saw the yellow ribbons on your wrist and we know what it means, so thank you. We hope our music becomes a light to them and to you.”

For those in the dark, the yellow ribbons are used to show condolences to the ferry victims and their families, and symbolises hope for more safe returns. A local CNBLUE fan club initiated the gesture by distributing the ribbons to concert attendees, who tied it around their left wrist.

With that, the band delved into the aptly named ‘Love Light’ and retreated backstage, but not before bowing with gratitude at the end of the three extended stages and promising they’ll be back again.