Concert Recap: Baekhyun Fulfills Dreams With First Solo World Tour in U.S.
For years now, Korean singer and EXO member Baekhyun has been dubbed the “Genius Idol” by both his peers and the general public alike. If you’re unaware, this isn’t just a normal title given to just any accomplished artist — it’s an all-encompassing name to describe someone with a multitude of talents and who excels in just about every aspect of the industry. From his vocal range and stability to his natural swagger when he dances, and sonic versatility, Baekhyun — from an entertainment standpoint — is the standard for K-pop artists.
No matter when or where your K-pop journey started, there’s a high chance you’ve experienced at least one of his many iterations. Debuting under SM Entertainment as a member of EXO in 2012, one-third of EXO-CBX in 2016, one-seventh of supergroup SuperM in 2019, and finally, as a solo act that same year — Baekhyun’s career trajectory has already surpassed that of normal expectations within the Korean music industry. And the best part, he’s not even close to being done.
Following the release of his fifth Korean EP, Essence of Reverie, Baekhyun announced his first solo world tour, “Reverie,” on April 29, 2025. The tour began in Seoul and would travel through Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania throughout the year. For longtime fans, or EXO-Ls, who have only hoped to see the “Candy” singer live, this tour was a long time coming. On June 25, Baekhyun graced Chicago with his presence at a sold-out Rosemont Theatre — poetically, the same venue he performed with EXO on their first U.S. tour nearly a decade ago. With a crowd of over 4,000 EXO-Ls (or “Eris”), the next two hours would truly feel like a daydream come to life.
Standout Performances
YOUNG: With a discography as wide and beloved as Baekhyun’s, there was no telling what the artist’s set list would look like, much less which track he’d open the show with. With that in mind, fans were met with a welcome surprise as Baekhyun pulled back to his 2017 single, “YOUNG,” to set the mood for the rest of the night. Dressed in a simple but sleek black jacket, matching jeans, white button-down, and black tie, the 33-year-old commanded the stage for this dark and brooding performance. Although the track originally features Korean rapper Loco, who adds his own flair to the moody R&B vibe, Baekhyun expertly fills the gap with an extended dance break, accompanied by his backup dancers. While the crowd’s excitement was high and undoubtedly infectious, the start of Baekhyun’s Reverie tour was just the calm before the storm.
Pineapple Slice: After breaking off from SM Entertainment in 2023, Baekhyun released his first EP, Hello World, as founder of his own label, INB100, in 2024. The EP’s lead single, “Pineapple Slice,” was a moment and not just for Baekhyun. For the first time, fans could finally support the EXO member directly without the grievances that come attached to big, powerful music labels and their need for control. For Baekhyun, it resembled a new beginning — one where he gets to be both the author and narrator of his story. Watching him perform it in front of thousands, in a country outside of his own, and hearing the crowd react to it, was nothing short of gratifying, even as an audience member. With smooth choreography, outstanding vocals, and a hook that sticks like glue, “Pineapple Slice” will forever remain a highlight in Baekhyun’s catalog.
Bambi: If hearing the words “‘Bambi’ by Baekhyun” makes you shudder, sigh, or have the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, congratulations — you’ve also fallen victim to Baekhyun’s scarily accurate art of seduction. Released in 2021, everyone remembers where they were when they first heard (and saw) “Bambi.” Four years later, the groovy R&B track still has the same effect on fans as it did back then. As the singer shed his black jacket and donned the signature “Bambi” fedora, nothing could’ve prepared fans for just how hot it would get in that theater. With every sway of his hips or sultry beckoning of his finger, Baekhyun’s movements were hypnotizing, like a snake luring and teasing its prey before swallowing them whole. No one stands a chance against his gravitational pull, but he likes to make you believe you do.
UN Village: By this point, we were already about halfway through the show, with Baekhyun seamlessly transitioning from moodier songs to more upbeat and light-hearted numbers like “Chocolate,” “Rendez-Vous,” and “Good Morning.” While all three of those performances were fun and laidback, the crowd truly came alive when “UN Village” entered the chat, and rightfully so. If you were around for his solo debut in 2019, you probably remember he also performed it while on tour with SuperM — simpler times, those were. However, it hits a bit different seeing it in the context of a solo tour, knowing everything it took to get to this point. As Baekhyun knowingly grins at the rising scream levels at the start of the song, you know it must be a happy trip down memory lane for him too.
If anything, I would say that “UN Village” brings out the most relaxed and confident side of Baekhyun we’ve seen yet; he’s less concerned about the choreography aspect (although it is there and just as tight as usual) and more aware of just how much people love this song. Between the smiles and “rolling hills,” everyone in the crowd knew every single lyric, eagerly singing it back to him any time he signaled for audience participation. For an artist, regardless of how long they’ve been performing, I can’t imagine it gets any better than that.
Psycho: As he transitioned to the next section of the tour, Baekhyun made a point to let the audience know it was more performance-based than the last few songs, which in this case, meant a performance akin to musical theatre. If there’s one song to encapsulate this section perfectly, it’s “Psycho.” Starting with Baekhyun and only one other dancer, the dark and eerie nature of the track envelopes the theater, casting darkness everywhere except the one spotlight illuminating the two on stage. With Baekhyun on the right and his blindfolded dancer on the left, the two mirror each other in a hauntingly captivating performance, until his reflection becomes the puppet master, twisting and stringing him along for the ride.
“I’m a psycho, I’m a psycho, there’s somebody else / That’s right, the psycho taking over me,” Baekhyun sings in the hook. As the performance and intensity build, it really feels like the singer is trying not to unleash the monster within — the other half he tries so hard to hide. All the while, Baekhyun’s award-winning vocals never faltered; it’s like hearing the studio version but better. But in the end, who won: Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?
Candy: The most anticipated song during the show had to be “Candy.” The viral moment of 2020 had everyone hopping on TikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms to join the #CandyChallenge. Dressed in a patterned vest, baggy jeans, an aviator-style hat, and a knitted bag slung around his body, Baekhyun’s transformation into this carefree, bubblegum world was like witnessing a kid on the playground. The way he effortlessly combines the fun, sugary world of pop music with the sleekness and sophistication of the R&B aspect is something that a performer either has or doesn’t. For Baekhyun, this duality is second nature and definitely strengthened with age, as he’s matured without losing that sense of childlike wonder.
Likewise, the energy in the crowd was just as infectious, with fans screaming the song’s fanchant, mirroring the popular “Candy” choreography, and shouting the lyrics, “Pop rocks, strawberry, bubblegum,” at the top of their lungs. If you could capture happiness in a bottle, I’m sure it would look and sound like this.
Garden In The Air: Near the finale portion of his concert, the “Elevator” singer showcased yet another reason he has earned the moniker of “Genius Idol.”
“This time now is a time we’ll share together,” Baekhyun announced, now dressed in a more comfortable and simple look. “Garden In The Air” is a remake of Korean singer BoA’s 2005 version, released in 2020 to commemorate her 20th anniversary in the industry. While the original is described as smooth jazz, Baekhyun’s version leans more into the R&B vibes that have become the staple of his sound. But honestly, what makes this performance stand out isn’t really about the song; it’s the way he plays around with the audience as if he’s a kindergarten teacher and we’re his students.
At the start of the performance, he instructs everyone to follow his movements while waving their lightsticks or even just the flashlights on their phones. Next, Baekhyun presents a series of hand and arm waving movements — swaying from side to side, shaking the lights to the right, then to the left, before finally shaking it all over his body to see if everyone else could keep up. This hilarious and heartwarming display goes on for the rest of his performance, as Baekhyun multitasks singing and conducting perfect audience participation. While “Garden In The Air” may not have eye-catching dance sequences or notable lighting effects, it is a reminder of just how comfortable and natural Baekhyun is when he’s connecting with fans face-to-face. With a sea of silver lights hoisted in the air, “Garden In The Air” was a wholesome display of how even the simplest of performances can spark so much joy for both the artist and their fans.
Rated E for EXO-Ls
While there’s no deadline to signing up to be a Baekyun stan, there’s no denying the “Reverie” tour can be enjoyed regardless of when or how you discovered the singer. However, it would be remiss not to mention the ones this tour specifically benefits the most, and that’s day one EXO-Ls.
For most of EXO’s international fanbase, the chances of seeing EXO — whether together or solo — have always been slim. Unfortunately, the group as a whole hasn’t gotten many opportunities to tour outside of Asia properly. The last time all eight members (save for Chinese member Lay) touched American soil was 2017’s “EXO PLANET #3 – The EXO’rDIUM” tour, in which the group only performed two U.S. dates, one in New Jersey and one in Los Angeles. And if you were lucky, maybe you even had a chance to see Baekhyun and his bandmate Kai on tour with SuperM. However, for many EXO-Ls, this “Reverie” tour would be their first time seeing Baekhyun in general, and he knew that.
Sometimes, artists can take these shows for granted and treat them like just another paycheck. They clock in, clock out, and do just about the bare minimum to coast by unscathed until the new performance. As a fan, that’s not the kind of artist you want to support. Baekhyun, on the other hand, takes note of how much these shows mean to people, especially the ones who have spent well over a decade supporting him.
“You guys are like stars — each and every one of you guys comes together to make this beautiful galaxy,” Baekhyun said following his “Garden In The Air” performance. “This also means you’re so very precious to me. He then goes on to spoil fans with an impromptu performance of his 2020 B-side, “Love Again,” before stating, “I think sharing this space with you guys was a very fateful, memorable, and special connection.”
Verdict
Whether you’re a casual listener or a die-hard fan, Baekhyun’s “Reverie” tour truly has something for everyone — from sweet, upbeat pop tracks to sultry and sexy R&B. While fans are probably used to seeing him perform in a group, there’s no question that Baekhyun can hold his own as a solo act and keep up the show’s momentum for two hours. If anything, I’d say we’ve barely even scratched the surface, considering this tour didn’t even include fan favorites such as “Cry For Love” or “All I Got,” which are arguably some of the singer’s best vocal work to date.
Between Baekhyun’s charismatic stage presence, colorful vocals, sharp footwork, and overwhelming affection for his fans, it’s virtually impossible not to smile a bit when you’re witnessing a true talent at work. For what it’s worth, this is the tour we and Baekhyun should’ve gotten ages ago.
Baekhyun’s “Reverie” tour continues through Europe in July, before heading to Asia and Oceania.
For more tour coverage, check out EnVi’s concert recap of BINI’s San Francisco concert here!
