In the heart of Williamsburg right by the East River, a gentle winter breeze and the smell of coffee surrounded the Music Hall venue on January 11th. Amid the chilly temperatures and with a glowing sunset in the background, Brooklyn welcomed JUNHEE to the city that never sleeps.
Walking through the lines, EnVi could feel the excitement of the fans, from those handing out handmade banners for the concert to others sharing how they had flown in just to see JUNHEE. The energy was electrifying, somehow warming everyone up despite the cold. Finally, it was time. Soundcheck wrapped up, the doors opened, crowds began pouring in, and our cameras were out and ready for the show.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Before going on stage, EnVi had the chance to ask JUNHEE how he was feeling. “Right now, I am feeling very nervous. I feel like for every show, I’m just very nervous!” Even with a lot of nerves, JUNHEE looked ready to say hello to everyone who was accompanying him tonight. When we asked if he wanted to say anything to his fans, he shared, “This is the first time I’m back in New York since being with my group A.C.E. Thank you for waiting for me all this time, and I hope I can give you my all in the future. I love you!”
JUNHEE’s show was filled with charisma, insane dance moves, and an incredible setlist. Here are a few standout performances that caught EnVi’s attention.
Supernova (00:00) – Ranked among our favorite moments of the night was the opening of the show. As the crowd cheered loudly and the lights dimmed, JUNHEE began his set with “Supernova,” exiting through one of the stage doors and immediately feeding off of the energy of the fans in front of him. With a catchy hook paired with gestures signaling the crowd to jump along, “Supernova” was the perfect pop track to kick off the night. Featuring synths, electric guitars, and a disco vibe, the song not only sets the tone but also reflects on the timestamp (00:00). Songs with timestamps are from his full English album “The First Day and Night,” where each track represents a specific time of day and dives deeper into the understanding of the track.
Umbrella (10:00) – The next song was a classic must-have on your fall playlists. Featuring catchy hooks and the crowd chanting along to the lyric “Whatever the weather, it’s me and my umbrella now,” the track tells the story of a girl who only calls JUNHEE when it’s convenient, isn’t interested in him, and plays with his emotions. The timestamp (10:00) reveals why the song’s atmosphere feels like a 10 p.m. kind of track — despite its emotional lyrics, the upbeat pop sound that JUNHEE is known for had fans dancing and screaming along, a compelling start to the night.
Just Better – A beloved hit from his group A.C.E., this song became a moment of connection between JUNHEE and the crowd. Soft guitar strings introduced a track so familiar that fans couldn’t help but scream in excitement, with a few even getting teary-eyed. A fun love-pop anthem with an addictive chorus that sings “I can be like a boyfriend, just better,” the performance had the entire audience clapping along to the small beat of the drums.
Tattoo (12:30) – Performed halfway through the concert, this song felt like the perfect balance between the performances Junhee had already done. With the timestamp (12:30), the vibe can be interpreted in many ways; it could be midnight in the city with car windows down, early afternoon dancing in the kitchen, or simply a moment in the concert where time doesn’t matter and everyone feels connected to JUNHEE. The track reunited the members of A.C.E as a special gift for fans. Although the group couldn’t be there in person, hearing their background vocals made the moment feel close and comforting to those who have been fans of the group since 2017.
Too Bad (15:00) – Closing out the night was not only a fan favorite, but JUNHEE’s personal favorite as well. Backstage, JUNHEE told EnVi that his favorite tour song was: “Too Bad! As you may or may not know, it’s the last song on my setlist, and I just love the vibe where my fans and I can give our all together on stage.” Bringing the energy of the night to this exact moment, the vibe shifted to a deep calm, with the disco ball in the ceiling reflecting across the venue and the crowd swaying from side to side.
HIGH NOTES
The concert felt like a great way to start the new year. The intimate venue created an atmosphere that not only connected the fans, but also made JUNHEE feel at home.
While on tour, JUNHEE dedicates parts of his concert to getting to know each city he performs in by trying local foods and desserts. The result is almost like watching a friend go on a road trip across America. When we asked what the most fun moment of the tour had been so far, JUNHEE said, “For every show, I’ve been doing this local food corner where I try food that’s famous in that city. I just love seeing my fans’ reactions to it! I’m very excited to see what we’ll have before we go today.” For the New York show, JUNHEE was presented with none other than cookies from Levain. With three choices to pick from, JUNHEE ultimately declared the peanut butter chocolate cookie the winner!
Another special highlight of the night was JUNHEE recognizing a fan in the crowd. During the concert, a fan in the front row was heard speaking in Korean. Impressed by her accent and pronunciation, JUNHEE realized he had met her before, repeatedly saying, “I remember you!” as the fan shared, “I drove a few hours to come see you.” The moment felt wholesome and special, emphasizing that even with his packed schedule and a busy career, JUNHEE remembers those who have been supporting him.
Beyond the special moments and delicious treats, JUNHEE captivated the crowd not only with his presence, but with the way his love for music radiated into the audience.
FOR FANS OF
Romanticizing life!
JUNHEE has it all: no, literally, every single scenario you could think of, there’s a song for it. Whether it’s the sunset hours between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and you have “Sugar” playing in the background while enjoying the summer breeze, or it’s a rainy midnight with “Umbrella” or “Night” playing in the background, there is something for everyone.
Bring your notepad, gather your friends, sit in a park, and romanticize the small and big things happening in your life! JUNHEE would not only agree, he might even try it too.
VERDICT
Whether you have been a fan from the start or only recently stumbled upon JUNHEE after hearing his incredible vocals, “JUNHEE Into the Ocean” is a must-see experience. JUNHEE has just finished up his U.S. tour stops, and we eagerly await what the European leg of his tour will look like this upcoming March.
Looking for more of JUNHEE? Check out EnVi’s exclusive album interview for “The First Day and Night” here!
