It’s been exactly one year since ONE OR EIGHT (1OR8) officially came together. The global-based Japanese boy group is already making waves far beyond their origin story. On April 23rd, 2025, the eight-member group—Souma, Mizuki, Tsubasa, Reia, Ryota, Takeru, Yuga, and Neo—took over LA’s Echoplex. This was a night that felt less like a debut-year performance and more like a declaration of global intent.
ONE OR EIGHT Finally in LA
The night kicked off strong with their debut track “Don’t Tell Nobody,” immediately showing off their sleek synchronization and commanding presence. From there, they turned up the heat with the gritty, hype-heavy “KAWASAKI,” their first pre-debut song that’s aged like a cult favorite. As solo stages rolled in—Souma’s fiery “Cash In Cash Out,” Neo’s sharp spin on “99 Problems”—it became clear that these boys have individual charisma for days.
Fun with LA
But what really cemented the night as unforgettable was the Q&A session, where fans got to meet the true personalities behind the polish. When asked who forgets things the most, the answer was unanimous—Souma, who apparently forgot both his passport and his phone (once on a plane!). Reia was proudly crowned the clumsiest, while the group teased Tsubasa and Souma as the top comedians, with Tsubasa’s physical antics getting special mention.
One of the best moments? When a member mentioned Santa Monica beach as something they wanted to do in LA. This triggered someone in the audience to yell the lyrics “Let’s go to the beach-each, let’s go get away”. Suddenly Neo egged on the crowd by singing the next lyrics to Nicki Minaj’s “Starships” before everyone joined in. It felt like a spontaneous, fan-idol bonding moment that could never be scripted.
Pizza vs. Hot Dog
Games took over next, with the boys splitting into Team Pizza and Team Hot Dog via rock-paper-scissors. They played soccer juggling and charades, with Tsubasa absolutely dominating for Team Hot Dog—until Reia stepped in with a clutch move for Team Pizza. In the end, Team Hot Dog walked away with the win, but the real prize was seeing how naturally entertaining the group is when the stage lights dim and the laughs take over.
Back to the ONE OR EIGHT Music
The second half of the show leaned more emotional. Tracks like “Wanna Be With You” and “Spellbound” softened the mood before giving each member a moment in the spotlight. Tsubasa gave us a passionate cover of “Youngblood,”, while Yuga delivered a heartfelt “Honesty”. Reia pulled everyone in with “Never Not” before they split into units. Then came a powerful finale run: “180” and “Tokyo Drift,” split between members, gave a gritty edge to the energy before they closed out with “DSTM.” “DTSM is a track that left the crowd buzzing long after the lights went out.
ONE OR EIGHT may be fresh off their debut year, but this LA show proved they’ve already mastered the balance of performance, personality, and pure fun. From sharp choreography to chaotic charm, they made one thing very clear: this isn’t the last time LA will be hearing from them—and next time, it might just be in a bigger venue.
