Performing in Los Angeles (LA), the epicenter of entertainment, is a life-long dream for artists from all walks of life. On October 25, the seven self-proclaimed stars of CLOSE YOUR EYES (CYE) were ready to take on the challenge and show LA why they’ve risen the ranks as one of K-pop’s hottest boy groups. Members JEON MINWOOK, MA JINGXIANG, JANG YEOJUN, KIM SUNGMIN, SONG SEUNGHO, KENSHIN, and SEO KYOUNGBAE have captivated hearts around the globe with their colorful discography and unmistaken camaraderie since their debut in April 2025.
CYE’s first tour “BEYOND YOUR EYES” began on January 31 in Seoul, and over half a year later, the septet brought the experience over to The Vermont Hollywood. To say LA was excited to see CYE feels like a major understatement — the concert was completely sold-out, including additional fan-engagement ticketing packages.
If you missed out on the momentous night, or even if you were a lucky attendee who just wants to reminisce, don’t fret because EnVi is here to recap CYE’s “BEYOND YOUR EYES” Tour in LA in all of its glory!
Energy Levels
Moments where the energy subdued were zero to none.
It was CYE’s first time in LA, and the crowd made sure to welcome the septet with an unforgettable passion. The energy levels between CYE and the audience were mutual. When a member delivered a “killing part,” the audience would reciprocate with a thunderous cheer, and the member would return the favor with a little extra pep in their next movement. This created an entertaining cycle of exchanges that made the audience reaction an integral part of the full concert experience.
Even during the VCRs, fans would erupt in cheers as if the members were still onstage. Ballads like the eponymous opener “Close Your Eyes” and tender “Stay 4 Good” weren’t an exception either. The audience would sing along as if they were onstage themselves, and whenever a member pulled off an impressive vocal belt, the audience would exclaim in awe.
Standout Performances
X: Once the introductory piano melody of “X” echoed throughout the venue, the crowd effectively lost their minds. To have your most popular track as only the second song on your jam-packed setlist was a risky choice, but it set the standard for the enthusiasm that lasted all night. Everyone instinctively repeated the song’s opening mantra like it was second nature: “To the max, to the max, to the max.” Notably, “X” had the loudest audience call and response of the entire concert thanks to the song’s addictive adlibs.
“X” was also the first full-fledged performance track of the night, and by the sheer power that radiated off the stage, CYE were more than eager to show LA their choreography chops. The tour rendition of “X” also featured a dance break led by SEO KYOUNGBAE and JANG YEOJUN. The two members’ impressive musicality coupled with their crisp textures proved that their dance skills exceeded “idol” standards.
All My Poetry: CYE’s debut song solidified itself as a certified fifth-generation cult classic across social media for all the right reasons. However, witnessing the song live further solidified the song’s message of being unable to capture the scope of your admiration into words. There was something unmistakably magical about “All My Poetry” and the vibe it filled the room with. The audience sang as one like a choir throughout the song’s duration, with the loudest response arriving during the song’s viral outro. I could only imagine how special it must’ve felt for CYE to showcase the song that catapulted them into stardom to CLOSERs (their fanbase name) in the city of stars.
What If I Miss Love: Hopeless romantics all rise for the national anthem.
Penned by members JANG YEOJUN and JEON MINWOOK, the song’s sincerity was one that read like a case study on how music possesses the ability to transcend barriers. The delivery was simple: no visuals on the screens, no flashy choreography — just the members stood onstage delivering the song from their heart. It was one of those instances where CYE had a moment to step back and really take everything in. The multicolored lightsticks in the purple-lit venue reflected stars in a galaxy, making it all the more special as the members admired the sea of attendees with stars in their eyes. Every element felt like an intricately scripted detail meant to reflect the song’s sentimentality.
SOB: Before you ask, yes, both performances of “SOB.”
“SOB” is one of the most intense choreographies the septet has to offer with a tutting section and no shortage of hard-hitting motions. It’s one of those performances you watch where you feel out of breath just by watching them. However, CYE were in their element as they showed no signs of slowing down — even reserving some energy to full-on headbang at the end. Particularly, MA JINGXIANG’s commanding delivery of the choreography with his attention to detail and emphasis on isolations wholly captured the song’s spirit.
When you have a high-octane hit produced by a GRAMMY Award-winning DJ in your discography, it feels like a no-brainer option for an encore. The reliable eldest and leader of the team, JEON MINWOOK, decided to repay the dedicated crowd with a much-needed extra number. The encore doubled the energy from its initial placement in the setlist as the members freely moved around the stage and engaged with the audience. By the end of it, I couldn’t help but feel proud to be a part of the very crowd that set the precedent for encores in the following tour stops.
High Notes
CYE’s showmanship was admirable on all fronts.
You would expect an artist on their first North American tour to show some hesitancies or awkwardly charming quirks — but CYE possessed the aura of seasoned professionals. SONG SEUNGHO’s ability to embody each concept with his facials made him a standout performer, and whenever the audience needed an extra boost, KIM SUNGMIN felt like a maestro thanks to his innate talent for connecting with crowds. CYE knew the perfect cues to throw in fanservice and the immediate audience response proved they consistently stuck the landing.
Of course, I have to give an honorable mention to every chronically online (said in the highest form of endearment) reference prompted by the team’s lovable “fake maknae (youngest member)” KENSHIN. He truly covered all of the bases: the “6, 7” hand motion, the trending Brazilian dance, and even proudly showcasing the “#swaggerina” move from ADÉLA’s “Ain’t In LA” (complete with the members acting as a barre) to commemorate finally being in the city.
For Fans Of
Boy group excellence.
Do you miss when songs used to be longer than three minutes? When they had an epic bridge before building up to a key-shifting final chorus with a flurry of vocal adlibs? What about fully-realized concepts and unique world-building? Or the days when albums used to feature orchestral ballads with crazy stacked harmonies?
Yes, CYE has all of those elements. Yes, they are a fifth-generation boy group.
It comes as no surprise that many who attended the concert with little to no prior knowledge of the septet left impressed. CYE are carving out their own lane in the current competitive sphere of boy groups and it is paying off big time. Each of their songs feel intentional in a way that is hard to come by with the current fast-paced state of the K-pop industry. They’re not compromising the tried and true elements of boy group history in exchange for a viral moment. CYE are proof that boy groups aren’t “losing the ancient texts” after all.
Verdict
It was a sentimental night for those in the crowd who once identified as “WORLD ASSEMBLERS” — voters for the survival program, PROJECT 7, who determined the final lineup that became CYE. For many of them, this night was the first time they were able to witness the trainee they rooted for back in 2024 live out their dreams.
For others in the crowd, this concert was their first introduction to the septet. CYE made a strong first impression: interacting with each inch of the venue, pulling off a variety of concepts with ease, hitting every beat in the choreography, and continuously proving that their microphones were on. Surely, that was more than enough to have these attendees leave the venue as CLOSERs.
CYE have only been around for about a year and a half, but there’s no telling how much more they will grow after conquering their first ever North American tour. If you aren’t a CLOSER by now, let’s just say you’re going to miss out on some major bragging rights.
If you’re looking to spend “Eternity” with CYE, be sure to follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Youtube.
Can’t get enough CLOSE YOUR EYES? Check out EnVi’s exclusive interview with the septet where they shared their favorite 2025 memories and the creation of their EP, blackout!
