Living up to its reputation as the longest-running K-pop act to date, Shinhwa’s 21st anniversary concert in Seoul was nothing if not legendary. It wasn’t because of a high-end set or elaborate special effects -- it was the K-pop gurus’ unique ability to hold a crowd in the palm of their hands and make them feel secure, comfortable and loved that made the annual show so special.

Drawing over 20,000 fans, the six-piece band held its two-day concert at the Olympic Park’s Olympic Gymnastics Arena over the weekend. Titled “Chapter 4,” the set was divided into four parts, chronicling Shinhwa’s lengthy career since the band’s debut in 1998 until last year.

Kicking off the Saturday concert with its debut hit, “Resolver,” Shinhwa filled the over-three-hour affair with as many as 30 songs, including “Perfect Man,” “I Pray 4 U,” “Brand New,” “Shooting Star” and “Kiss Me Like That.” The group’s die-hard fans, many clad in orange -- the act’s trademark color -- waved orange light sticks and chanted “Shinhwa Changjo” throughout. “Shinhwa Changjo” refers to the group’s official fan base.

After pumping up the crowd with “Wild Eyes,” the band greeted fans by promising an amazing show and asking fans to “go crazy.”

Expressing his affection toward the fans, Lee Min-woo said during the show, “I feel like I’m caught up in the group called ‘Shinhwa Changjo,’ as if my mistakes are all warmly embraced. I saw our fans while dancing, and they were all enjoying our performance. Thank you so much for having fun with us.

“Shinhwa won’t ever be taken down. We might get old, but our talent won’t get old,” he added.

Although most of the band members are in their early 40s, Shinhwa proved to its fans that time doesn’t matter with the dynamic energy the artists showed during fast-paced numbers like “Oh” and “Sniper.” With toned-down tracks like “Destiny of Love” and fan song “Orange,” the band whipped the crowd into a frenzy.




Referring to the ear-splitting screams from the audience, Shin Hye-sung joked, “I think I should apologize to the staff of this venue, as I think the ceiling got cracked. I will pay for the damage.”

While the overall atmosphere was perky and bright, there were a few emotional moments too. Fans surprised the group toward the end by singing the melodic “Prayer” in unison. Shinhwa reciprocated their love by projecting heartfelt video messages for fans onto the screen.

“We will keep performing on stage as long as we are healthy,” said Kim Dong-wan via the screen, and Lee Min-woo promised fans that he wouldn’t just leave them without any notice.




Wrapping up the concert with classics “Eusha! Eusha!” “Time Machine,” “Run” and “Yo!” Shin said, “You (fans) will always be our priority, no matter what happens, and we’ll stay by your side forever. We won’t have a new member until our death.”

Eric chimed in and said, “To me, my bandmates are at the top of my list and you guys (fans) are in second place. The six of us will stick together to fight against anything. I hope to take seeing you guys each year for granted.”

“We will always say we are like a beach that keeps its place despite the tide. You may come back to us whenever you want,” said Kim.

Andy also promised fans to do his best as part of Shinhwa for the next 20 to 30 years.

Shinhwa is the longest-running K-pop act in the scene that has remained together, despite management changes and the members’ mandatory service in the military. Often referred to as part of the “first generation” of K-pop, Shinhwa released the special album “Heart” in August last year, featuring the lead single “Kiss Me Like That.”

By Hong Dam-young (lotus@heraldcorp.com)