K-pop boy group 8TURN made their way to Los Angeles on May 2nd for the second-to-last stop of their first world tour, performing at the Orpheum Theatre.  With a mix of live stages, fan interactions, and honest conversations, the group delivered a well-rounded and enjoyable show that highlighted their progress since debuting in 2023.

The concert began with “WORLD,” followed by “RU-PUM PUM” and “Walk It Out,” both of which received strong reactions from TURNING, a name given to 8TURN’s fans.  MYUNGHO stood out early with a jacket toss and a stable high note that TURNING responded to with loud cheers.  The members wore coordinated denim outfits and kept the energy steady through these opening songs.

During the first ment, JAEYUN greeted TURNING and reflected on how meaningful it was to perform at a venue previously used by artists like Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, and Tyler the Creator.  SEUNGHEON shared his disappointment about not being able to perform fully due to an injury sustained at a previous stop, but promised to do his best.  KYUNGMIN noted that LA was the first U.S. city they visited during KCON and said he hoped TURNING would enjoy the night just as much as they did then. 

The group continued with “WONDER” and “EXCEL,” the latter featuring a flip from MYUNGHO.  The members also shared what colors and images came to mind when thinking about LA.  MINHO described a pink sunset he saw at Santa Monica Pier, while YUNGYU thought of green palm trees, and JAEYUN said TURNING reminded him of butterflies.  “SKETCH” followed as a more playful and lighthearted song. The performance included interactions between the members and SEUNGHEON, who was sitting. MINHO spent time engaging with him onstage, which TURNING appreciated.

A fan Q&A segment titled “I Want To Know RIGHT NOW” gave members a chance to answer questions and connect with TURNING. KYUNGMIN shared that his favorite American snacks were Cheetos and Doritos, and MINHO gave a fanservice moment by saying his favorite flower was the audience.  When asked about their favorite tour stop, they responded with “LA,” earning loud cheers from the audience.  SEUNGHEON said he was already looking forward to coming back in better condition.

The concert also had three special subunit performances.  JAEYUN, MINHO, and YOONSUNG returned for a special cover of “Sugarcoat” by KISS OF LIFE’s Natty, performed in leather jackets and with a more relaxed R&B style.  YUNGYU and SEUNGHEON later performed Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”.  YUNGYU explained he was inspired by Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance.  MYUNGHO, HAEMIN, and KYUNGMIN then performed BTS’s “Black Swan,” emphasizing movement and choreography rather than vocals. They mentioned practicing in front of mirrors to get the performance right, wanting to show TURNING another side of their abilities.

In another segment, members changed into red and black varsity jackets and performed “WE + The Game,” a piece from their appearance on Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace, where they placed third. They described the competition as difficult but meaningful, especially because it helped them connect with more global fans.  Later followed by a dance challenge game called “Who TURNed My Heart” divided the members into older (JAEYUN, MINHO, MYUNGHO, YOONSUNG) and younger (HAEMIN, KYUNGMIN, YUNGYU, SEUNGHEON) teams. The older team performed EXO’s “The Eve,” while the younger team took on Stray Kids’ “S-Class.” Both sides received support from TURNING.

During their final ment, each member thanked TURNING individually.  SEUNGHEON expressed regret over not dancing but said he would return in better shape.  MYUNGHO reflected on how far they’ve come since busking in LA.  JAEYUN kept his comments short and sincere, simply saying thank you.  Other members commented on how passionate the LA crowd was and how they helped push through difficult times.

The encore began with “Like a Friend,” with members returning to the stage in official merch. “ING” included moments where members walked through the aisles, high-fiving TURNING and making eye contact. These interactions made the concert feel more personal for attendees.  The night ended with “You Are My Reason,” a calm and emotional closer. TURNING waved lightsticks, and the group took several bows before leaving the stage.

8TURN’s LA concert showed the group’s ability to mix performance, personality, and fan engagement.  Their attention to detail and connection with TURNING left a strong impression. This is definitely a group that will continue to grow their amazing talents and provide incredible performances.