The Recap: P1Harmony Are Back and Better Than Ever As Chicago’s Most Wanted

They’re going up, up, up, it’s their moment — oops, wrong song. From intimate theaters to performing in some of the iconic arenas across the U.S., K-pop group P1Harmony’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of inspiring and incredibly deserved.

On October 14, the group made its United Center debut (Chicago’s largest venue) for their “P1ustage H: Most Wanted Tour” in North America. With a brand new English EP marking their first Top 10 record on the Billboard Hot 200, P1Harmony soaked up the full weight of their success on stage, blending moments of riveting spectacle with carefree joy and celebration. And to share some of this success, they even brought a few friends along for the ride.

Not Your Average K-pop Concert

K-pop concerts are unique in that there usually are no such things as supporting or opening acts. However, P1Harmony and their company, FNC Entertainment, took a different route this year, inviting fellow labelmates and AMPERS&ONE on the road with the senior group.

Taking the stage at 7:30 p.m., AMPERS&ONE members Kamden, Brian, Jiho, Siyun, Kyrell, Mackiah, and Seungmo were greeted with a swarm of screams as they kicked off their set with their most recent title track, “That’s That.” With the level of cheers that erupted throughout the United Center, it seemed most people were not only aware of the septet but were already genuine fans. For a group that’s still finding its footing within the K-pop industry, much like P1Harmony in its early days, the enthusiasm and recognition don’t go unnoticed.

After performing their second song, “Broken Heart,” the seven members introduced themselves one by one, with the group’s leader, Kamden, proclaiming, “You can choose your bias tonight.” Honestly, that’s exactly why more K-pop artists should bring their younger labelmates on tour with them. Name a more fun way to get into a new group than seeing their energy and personalities shine live. Once the intros were wrapped up, the group went into their last two songs, “Whip It” and “Kick Start,” both of which seemed to be crowd pleasers.

For those who weren’t familiar with the seven-piece group before this tour, myself included, their inclusion was a brief but effective snapshot into what an AMPERS&ONE experience looks like. They had the swagger, the style, the talent, and the charisma to captivate even the most oblivious attendees. And with four out of the seven members hailing from the U.S., Canada, and Australia, it’s easy to see the global appeal and why they mesh so well with P1Harmony’s audience. So the verdict on AMPERS&ONE: the kids are definitely alright.

P1H: Chicago’s Most Wanted

Considering this was already my third P1Harmony experience, I felt a sense of familiarity wash over me as the group finally popped out with the explosive “Black Hole.” Donning matching black and neon yellow outfits, members Keeho, Jiung, Theo, Intak, Soul, and Jongseob commanded the arena like seasoned pros, wearing their ever-climbing status with pride and reverence. 

Since the group’s 2023 tour, “P1ustage H: P1ONEER,” “Black Hole” has become a mainstay on P1Harmony’s tour set list, and personally, I think it should never leave. Its high energy and intricate choreography are tailor-made for concert settings, and being able to scream, “아름다운 널 삼켜버린 I’m a black hole” at the top of my lungs just never gets old. However, there was one notable difference with this tour right from the start, compared to others: they now have a dance team. Joined by a crew of at least six other dancers, P1Harmony are able to use the full breadth of the stage in ways they couldn’t before, allowing for more creative and interesting visuals in the choreography.

The first set continued with a slew of oldies but goodies, including “End It,” “Look At Me Now,” and “Breakthrough,” before heading into more recent material with “Emergency” and “DUH!” Between the flashy pyrotechnics, effortless swagger, and skillful footwork, P1Harmony really do make their performances look like lightwork. They could do this with their eyes closed, and it’d be equally on point. Intak and Jiung, in particular, carry the most infectious energy — the former always has a bounce in his step. At the same time, the latter is incredibly expressive in both his face and body, easily making him one of the members to watch at all times.

Taking it all the way back to the group’s Disharmony trilogy, the set ended with “Scared” and “Before The Dawn,” leaving the crowd with an epic instrumental finish that made me realize how glorious their shows would sound with a live band. Regardless, it was a grand finish to part one of what would be an unforgettable night.

Individuality At Its Finest

The next section of the show was dedicated to solo stages, where each member took turns covering a song of their choosing. It’s a common practice among K-pop concerts, and one P1Harmony have religiously stuck to since its very first tour in 2022.

First up was Jiung, who was notably absent due to an injury that took him out of much of the group’s U.S. leg of 2024’s “UTOP1A” tour. Fortunately, the singer was back with a vengeance, milking every ounce of his time on stage as he lit up the venue with a cover of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.” 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching Jiung’s solo stages, it’s that his aura shines the most when he’s living out his best disco/funk life under marquee lights — as seen previously in his 2023 cover of Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s “Love Never Felt So Good.” This year was no different, with the 24-year-old transforming into the best version of himself as he knowingly smirked, dishing out one of the most electric performances of the night. Whoever choreographed this piece, particularly the last half, truly understands Jiung as a performer, dancer, and the captivating essence he brings to the stage.

Next on the roster was group leader Keeho, who surprised everyone with a cover of Rihanna’s “Phresh Out the Runway,” stepping out in a lavish fur coat with astronomically large shades to match. Interestingly, the 24-year-old Canadian native is first and foremost a vocalist through and through, lending his syrupy timbre to some of P1Harmony’s most ethereal vocal runs and harmonies. So, when his autotuned voice blasted through the speakers, it threw me for a loop for a second before I realized this was an alter ego of his that was dying to be unleashed. 

But just like with everything he does, Keeho owned the place with the confidence only a performer who’s secure in his skin could have. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, the singer referenced Rihanna’s iconic Victoria’s Secret walk like the pop culture expert he is — strutting down the venue’s runway with immaculate style. Did I mention he even got away with dropping one F-bomb? Iconic, if you ask me.

No Two Puzzle Pieces Are the Same

Following Keeho’s flashy presentation was Soul, who brought the vibes back down to Earth with an enchanting dance performance. Unlike his other members, Soul’s solo stage wasn’t a cover, but an original, choreographed piece to a track that starts soft and delicate, before melding into a thrilling hip-hop/trap progression. The juxtaposition of both styles is amplified by the duality in which he moved — elegant and grand in the beginning, but rousing and assertive by the end. Witnessing Soul’s creativity unfold is always a one-of-a-kind experience, as he’s known to push the limits of what should be physically possible. And yet, he defies them all.

The next member to step up to the plate was Intak with Usher’s 2014 R&B/funk track, “Good Kisser,” offering up another steamy performance akin to last year’s cover of “On My Mama.” Wearing a simple red leather jacket and black jeans, Intak became the leading man of every girl’s dreams, as his suave choreography consisted of multiple body rolls, hip thrusts, and slick footwork that had just about everyone clutching their pearls, but in a good way. It was also nice to hear him sing and use his higher register as a reminder that — despite being a talented rapper — his vocal chops aren’t too shabby either.

The final two solo stages of the night came from rapper Jongseob and P1Harmony’s resident vocalist slash part-time guitarist, Theo. Standing atop the risers as if he were on top of the world, Jongseob tackled a cover of Tyler, the Creator’s 2024 hit, “Sticky.” In between the song’s notorious “It’s getting sticky” hooks, the 19-year-old switched up his flow and cadence with ease, showcasing more of his rap prowess that, at this point, needs no introduction.

Finally, Theo closed out the solo segment of the night with his cover of “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes, making him the only member to pull further even back from the archives and delve into the ‘90s. With his electric guitar in hand, Theo turned this standard K-pop show into an alt-rock celebration, initiating the audience’s participation as the crowd sang back to him with fervor. The highlight, however, had to be the singer’s guitar solo. As he dropped to his knees and held the instrument like a weapon, this moment instantly elicited smiles and all the feel-good vibes money can buy.

Other Standout Moments

With the individual stages done and dusted, the rest of the night was full speed ahead with core P1Harmony numbers that spanned from energetic party anthems to hazy melodies to cleanse all of our worries away. For the last hour and a half of P1Harmony’s “Most Wanted,” here are some key highlights that made every second worth remembering.

Pretty Boy: Since the release of the group’s eighth EP, Duh!, back in May, “Pretty Boy” has become a fan-favorite, with the track going viral across social platforms and even transcending fandoms. The message (as stated by Keeho, who’s listed as co-composer) is P1Harmony reclaiming their status as “pretty boys,” a term that’s often used to emasculate men who don’t subscribe to the social norm. However, the septet uses the term to its full advantage on stage, surrounded by a sea of girls, gays, and theys who would gladly choose a pretty boy over toxic masculinity any day.

“Pretty girls like pretty boys like me,” the crowd shouts in place of Intak, who didn’t even need to say it to prove it’s true. Wearing matching all white tracksuits with the rest of the group, he and Keeho were the true standouts, as their on-stage personas grew increasingly playful, flirtatious, and even a tad seductive. Given the duo’s popularity on TikTok, it should come as no surprise how well they match each other’s energies.

Stupid Brain:  After taking a break to chat with the audience and acknowledge the fans’ creative outfits for the night, the guys slowed things down with their groovy R&B track, “Stupid Brain.” This comes as one of the latest B-sides of P1Harmony’s English EP EX, and has been touted as the pinnacle track on the record by both critics and fans. 

“It’s pretty much about just shutting off your brain for a little while,” Keeho stated as the group settled onto the risers. “There are so many things going on, and so much pressure and stress, and expectations put on you, and sometimes you just wanna live your life and throw that all away.” The singer continued his words of encouragement, saying, “So for this moment, I want all of you guys to be as present as possible and just enjoy — say hi to each other, sing along, grab each other’s hands, scream and dance, have an amazing time, and just put those stupid worries away and shut that brain off for once. You ready?”

Judging by the anticipated screams, the crowd was more than ready to let P1Harmony take the reins and be guided into serenity. As expected, the vocals were divine, and the softer raps from Intak and Jongseob were sonic delicacies on a silver platter — allowing the members to sweep their fans away from reality, even if only for a little while.

JUMP: Following the three performances of “EX,” “Everybody Clap,” and “Do It Like This,” P1Harmony leaped into one of their most undeniably fun title tracks, “JUMP.” As the group bounces from one side of the stage to the next, interacting and hyping up the crowd, it’s virtually impossible not to bounce along with them, especially when the music is hitting all the right feels in all the right places. It was an utter joy watching Theo get carried down the runway by their dance crew, before rolling on the ground with a smile so Intak and Jongseob could hop over him. And of course, the first confetti fall of the night in the final chorus topped off the entire performance like the cherry on a banana split — absolutely delicious.

Flashy: To put a bow on the final segment of the show, the guys put on a fittingly bold presentation of their Duh! B-side, “Flashy.” The roar of its electric guitar intro ripped through the speakers as Keeho shouted, “Chicago, make some noise! Let’s see how crazy you can get!” With the crowd happily obliging, the members bounced around the extended stage like kids on a sugar rush. Jiung, especially, was bouncing off the walls with excitement — his large, animated movements were a sight to see, along with the huge smile plastered across his face. 

After getting back into formation on the main stage, the guys carried on with their choreography and head banging as flames erupted from the stage. However, it all came to a flamboyant finale as P1Harmony rushed back down the runway to grab the smoke machines on either side of the stage and let them rip. As the members took their leave, Keeho made a point to thank every single person who chose to spend their night with him and his group. “We appreciate every single one of you in this building…thank you for loving P1Harmony, and we’ll be back very, very soon,” he announced. “Until then, stay healthy, stay happy, and stay safe — this has been P1Harmony!”

Last Call: Last but certainly not least, the curtains wrapped on P1Harmony’s “Most Wanted” tour in Chicago with the final encore song, “Last Call.” Throughout this 2010s-inspired pop-rock nostalgia track, the members spent their last moments on stage drinking in every bit of love and enthusiasm from the fans and giving it right back. At one point, you could even see Jiung beaming as he shook his head while mouthing repeatedly, “I love this job, I freaking love this job!” What’s more endearing is that you don’t even have to question whether or not to believe him — it’s written all over his face and worn as a badge of pride.

Verdict

If there’s even a shred of doubt about whether you should attend a P1Harmony concert, ignore it, buy the tickets, and let the rest fall into place as it may. I promise you’ll be better off for it.

Catch P1Harmony’s “P1ustage H: Most Wanted” tour in Latin America and Europe next. For all the latest updates, follow them on X and Instagram.

Want more concert recaps? Check out our review of STAYC’s L.A. show here!