Concert Recap: ITZY Prove Why They’re “Untouchable” at New Jersey Show
With their 2019 track “DALLA DALLA” launching them into the K-pop stratosphere and their subsequent sweep of awards (dubbing them “Monster Rookies),” ITZY have been in a league of their own since they first debuted in 2019.
Known for high energy, in-sync dance routines, and undeniable stage presence, ITZY have carved out a space as some of K-pop’s top performers. Seeing them on stage on their second U.S. venture — the “Born To Be” tour — solidifies exactly why they’ve earned this title. Taking over Newark’s Prudential Center on June 23 (a significant step up from 2022’s stop at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden), Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna filled the stage with personality and energy from the first note. Despite being down a member (main vocalist Lia has been on health hiatus since 2023), the remaining four created a show that satisfied fans while still having the energy of five.
Born To Be Idols
From the first bombastic notes of “Born To Be” to the live band remix of “DALLA DALLA,” the show was a sweeping display of exactly what ITZY do best. Unlike other concerts that rely on backing tracks and album versions, ITZY embraced all the elements of live performance. This tour featured a live band, amplifying tracks like “Not Shy,” “LOCO,” AND “DALLA DALLA” into immersive and electrifying experiences. Backed by dancers in coordinated all-white outfits, songs like “Escalator” and “WANNABE” were supported with grand, polished choreography that made ITZY seem larger than life.
ITZY’s catalog is an addictively fun one, full of brash confidence and catchy hooks. The energy of the songs bled into the audience, who were on their feet from the beginning. Screaming along to the “Put my sneakers on” chorus of “SNEAKERS;” chanting the addictive hook of “CAKE;” or matching Chaeryeong’s iconic “Itzaaaayyyy” line in “Not Shy,” each song was given the same passion from the audience and from the group.
LOVE is…MIDZY
ITZY’s beloved fanbase, MIDZY, is just another layer of what makes ITZY’s concerts truly so enjoyable. It’s hard not to have fun when everyone else so clearly is. While ITZY’s stage presence is undeniable, MIDZY’s sea of light rings, their singing and dancing, and their ITZY-themed looks are what really rounds out the experience. It makes sense why Yuna said she gets motivation from the fans, and “hears [their] cheers as [she] falls asleep.” The more hyped fans get, the more passionately ITZY perform. Yeji even thanked MIDZY for their energy, saying that the fans’ energy is what motivates them to “finish the tour successfully and healthily.”
Crown on Their Heads
ITZY’s reputation to date has grown from their power as a group. But their latest release, Born To Be, allowed a new side of ITZY to shine: as solo performers. Each member had one solo song on the album, allowing them to explore their own personal sounds.
Their tour has given them a chance to share these solos with MIDZY and to express themselves on stage as individuals. Each member’s personalities and talents were given their own spotlight. It felt like an intimate way for dedicated fans to connect more with their favorite members and for new fans to meet different sides of the group.
Chaeryeong’s “Mine” contrasts her usually sweet persona. Through this sultry city pop track, “Mine” supports her airy vocal tone and allows for a strong choreography. Meanwhile, Yuna’s bright pink 8-bit “Yes, but” is everything one would expect from the affectionately dubbed “4th gen it girl” dialed up to 11. “Run Away” is as “cool girl” as it gets, giving Ryujin’s cooler, edgier aesthetic its own moment in the sun with an alt-pop track. However, it still shows her softer side, as her onstage teddy bear partner represents MIDZY.
Yeji’s stage for “Crown on My Head” also takes a rock approach, but where Ryujin’s resembles the more intimate sound of indie acts in music halls and theaters, Yeji’s is pure stadium rock. From the start she’s shouting, “Are you ready for tonight?” to the crowd, commanding the stage as if it’s her own. Every step, every note, is a powerful display of sheer skill and charisma.
Each stage feels like something new for ITZY and each of its members, though Lia’s absence felt heavier at this moment. Her own solo track, the sweet and soft “Blossom,” remains unperformed. Each member highlighted something they value: fun, performance, dance, presence. But Lia’s clear vocal tone would have fully rounded out the segment, proving that ITZY truly do have it all. However, Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna have all more than proved themselves, leaving both fans and the uninitiated excited for what’s to come for them.
K-pop’s fourth generation is a highly competitive one. Yet ITZY’s power and vibrance have set them leagues apart. They’re known for their dynamic on-stage presence, but seeing it in person is something else entirely — they are truly powerhouse performers in their prime.
Want more concert recaps? Check out our Governor’s Ball coverage with Sabrina Carpenter and P1Harmony here.
Looking for more ITZY? Read up on everything Ryujin in our Style Core series here.
