With how fast K-pop as a genre has grown in San Antonio, I figured it was about time to finally check it out for myself. It’s not a genre I know much about; most of what I know I overheard from my older sister. Admittedly, it’s also not a genre that has ever resonated with me. I’ve always respected the choreography and attention to detail these performers make, but the overall sounds just never clicked for me.
While I can’t say that seeing NCT 127’s “Neo City – The Momentum” Tour at the Frost Bank Center transformed me into a K-pop stan, I can definitely admit that I was blown away by the showmanship, the excitement, and the community that K-pop brings together so beautifully.
A sub-unit of South Korean boy band NCT, NCT 127 performed live with six of their members, with two of them currently being away due to mandatory military service. Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan had every single fan in the auditorium on their feet for the entire two-and-a-half-hour show (For being that long, the time really flew by.)
The members had incredible chemistry when it came to their setlist. The songs were packed with energy, turning the Frost Bank Center into a huge dance party at points, while at other times, wowing the crowd with their vocal range during soaring ballads.
There were lots of outfit changes, lots of pyro, and a large catwalk allowing the band to get right in the faces of all of those passionate fans who had waited all day to be in the pit.
The energy in the crowd was unreal; I don’t think I’ve heard this much screaming at a show since I saw Harry Styles. Everyone had these cube-shaped light sticks that would flood the arena with a gorgeous display of colors.
Yes, the chemistry between the band was unreal, but it was even greater among the fans, with the sense of community and care shared between the band and the crowd being unlike anything I’ve ever seen in any other genre. NCT 127 had multiple moments throughout the night where they thanked San Antonio for welcoming them and for giving them so much positive love.
After all, this was one of only six U.S. tour dates for the band, which is an amazing achievement for our city.
The moment they showed San Antonio the most love had to have been when they popped up for the last parts of the show in silver and black Spurs jerseys, all with the number 127 on their backs.
NCT 127 was just the nicest and most appreciative group of men. Their talent and work ethic culminated in a stellar show.
San Antonio has made great strides with the K-pop community, with popular boy bands Seventeen and Tomorrow x Together coming here before this and J-Hope of BTS coming soon to play two nights at the Frost Bank Center. Shows like NCT 127’s prove exactly why, and it’s the strong passion of this community that will continue to keep it growing even bigger than ever imagined.
Before I wrap this article up, a concept I learned at this show was something called a “bias” – essentially, it’s your favorite member of the band. On my way out of the arena, I asked some fans who their bias was, and they were more than excited to tell me.
These two friends flew in from the West Coast and told me:
“My bias is Johnny, and it’s because he makes me laugh. He’s really, really funny.”
“My bias is Yuta … I really like his dancing, and I’m so happy that he’s gotten to have more vocal parts over the years.”
A group of three friends all had different names to shout out:
“Mine’s Haechan, my ultimate bias.”
“Mine’s Mark!”
“Yuta and Johnny.”
And two friends wearing the coolest bright green outfits in the room told me:
“Mark Lee … hands down.”
“Johnny’s been my bias, but I did get a little bit bias-wrecked by Doyoung tonight, not gonna lie.”
I didn’t get to ask them what bias-wrecked meant, but maybe that’s something I’ll find out whenever I go to my next K-pop show in town.
