Pop-rock band FT Island showcased its first local concert in two years on Sunday, celebrating the release of its March studio album “I Will.”
Held at the Olympic Park in Seoul, the 150-minute-long performance featured the band’s signature melancholic rock music alongside a more intimate portion with mellow ballads and a toast of champagne.

FT Island performs at Seoul's Olympic Park on Sunday (FNC Entertainment)

The show kicked off loudly with the catchy “Love Love Love” while sparks flew up from the stage. Front man Lee Hong-ki, clad in a military-patterned jacket and sunglasses, showed off his newly dyed green hair -- which fans have been playfully calling “cabbage” and “spinach,” Lee remarked -- as he belted sorrowful tunes into the mic.

Lead vocalist Lee Hong-ki (FNC Entertainment)

The next song, “Memory,” featured a guitar solo from guitarist Choi Jong-hoon, later joined by fellow guitarist Song Seung-hyun. Next came another energetic solo piece by drummer Choi Min-hwan, who was perched atop a sky-high steel frame installed in the center of the stage.

Drummer Choi Min-hwan (FNC Entertainment)

“The atmosphere is great tonight!” Hong-ki said as he welcomed the audience with a short talk. “Korea is crazy these days! Everybody is partying so hard.”

After “Severely,” “Hey Girl” and “Stay,” the five members moved to an island stage set up in the middle of the standing audience area.
In this more intimate setting, the members sat down, relaxed and opened a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne.

FT Island (FNC Entertainment)

“We told fans we wanted to play more intense rock music when we released our album ‘I Will’ this March,” Hong-ki said. “But FT Island also has a lot of really emotional ballads. We’ve always wanted to give an unplugged performance at a small live club. I think this setting is close to that.”

As a mirror ball descended from the ceiling, the concert hall became spotted with specks of revolving light. The band went on to play mellow tunes including “Last Love Song,” “Morning Coffee” and “BPM 69,” with Jonghoon’s keyboard sounds and bassist Lee Jae-jin’s crooning voice adding to the mood.

Bassist Lee Jae-jin (FNC Entertainment)

The latter half of the concert was full of fist-pumping vigor, featuring “To the Light” and a remixed EDM version of the band’s recent title track, “Pray.” Encore songs featured “Puppy,” “Flower Rock” and “First Kiss.”

By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)