BABYMONSTER Transforms Seoul Into a Global Dance Floor
The Jamsil Indoor Stadium in southern Seoul transformed into a high-octane rock festival from June 26 to 28, 2026, as BABYMONSTER officially launched their highly anticipated second world tour, “CHOOM.” Expanding significantly from their debut “Hello Monsters” tour, this massive 18-city, 29-show expedition spans five continents. For the first time, the YG Entertainment powerhouse will bring their explosive performances to Oceania, Europe, and South America. With all three Seoul dates completely sold out, the group proved their growing dominance in the global music scene.
Operating as a six-member unit—Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rora, and Chiquita—while Rami takes a health-related hiatus, BABYMONSTER delivered a relentless display of vocal prowess and tightly synchronized choreography. The members took unprecedented control over this production, actively participating in song selection, musical arrangements, and stage direction to ensure a deeper connection with their international fanbase.
Live Band Intensity Meets Dark Industrial Aesthetics
Stepping away from traditional K-Pop backing tracks, BABYMONSTER elevated their sound with a full live band featuring electric guitars, heavy bass, and thunderous drums. The stage design matched this fierce musicality, boasting massive industrial pipelines, sharp laser arrays, and dramatic red lighting. Emerging on mechanical lifts, the group immediately commanded the arena with “We Go Up” before launching into the live debut of their newest title track, “Choom.”
Throughout the intense opening run, which included heavy hitters like “Batter Up” and “Drip,” the members opted for handheld microphones. This choice emphasized their unwavering confidence in live vocal delivery, cutting through the heavy band arrangements without losing breath during demanding choreography. Ahyeon’s signature three-step high note climax during “Drip” triggered deafening cheers that echoed outside the stadium walls.
Individual Brilliance Shines in Solo Stages
The solo segments of the concert revealed the distinct artistic identities of each member. Rora opened the section with a sophisticated swing-jazz reinterpretation of Camila Cabello’s “Havana,” showcasing her vocal versatility. Asa followed with a razor-sharp rap performance covering Baauer’s “Temple,” while Pharita injected bright, infectious energy into Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass.”
Chiquita surprised the audience with a mature, charismatic medley of “Buttons” by The Pussycat Dolls and Fifth Harmony’s “Worth It.” Main dancer Ruka brought a gritty hip-hop edge to the stage with a bold rendition of Skrillex, Missy Elliott, and Mr. Oizo’s “Ratata.” Finally, Ahyeon closed the solo sequence with a powerhouse vocal performance of Ariana Grande’s “Problem,” leaving the crowd breathless.
From Sentimental Ballads to a High-Energy Finale
Midway through the show, the red lasers faded into soft blue lighting as the group transitioned into a stripped-down ballad section. Performing “Stuck in the Middle,” “Love, Maybe,” and “Dream” without choreography, the members allowed their individual vocal tones to take center stage. Fans responded by slowly waving their light sticks, creating a sea of synchronized color that highlighted the emotional connection between the artists and their audience.
The sentimental mood quickly gave way to a massive singalong when the group performed “Really Like You,” a track that recently experienced a viral resurgence online. The momentum only built from there, pushing toward a frenetic finale with “Forever,” “Wild,” “Hot Sauce,” and their newest single, “Sugar Honey Ice Tea.”
A Heartfelt Promise for the Upcoming Global Journey
During their closing remarks, the emotional weight of their rapid return to the touring stage was evident. Chiquita expressed deep gratitude, noting how moved she was by the fans singing along to every word. Rora reflected on the privilege of performing, stating that being on stage “is never something to take for granted,” and promised that the group still has much more to reveal.
Ahyeon captured the sentiment of the entire group when discussing their grueling rehearsal process. “I think what was missing was all of you,” she told the cheering crowd. “We missed you so much, and we’ll become Babymonster that can show you everything.” With the Seoul chapter successfully closed, BABYMONSTER now sets their sights on Japan from July to September, followed by highly anticipated stops in Jakarta, Bangkok, and Singapore later this fall.
