It was literally lights, camera, action before Onew stepped onstage at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday May 9th, 2025, for the final stop of his U.S. solo tour, ONEW THE LIVE: CONNECTION. The historic LA venue buzzed with anticipation, and when the lights dimmed, the energy erupted. What followed was a night of musical precision, vulnerability, and warmth that only Onew could deliver.
Onew – A Voice That Carries Emotion
Opening with “Focus,” Onew immediately set the tone for the evening with his signature vocals—
gentle yet powerful. Fans were swept into a journey that included “Shape of My Heart” and the meditative beauty of “O (Circle).” Each song was framed by stunning visuals and a sincerity that made the theatre feel intimate.
Onew addressed the crowd early on, explaining that his band couldn’t join him for the U.S. leg of the tour. But ever the perfectionist, he pre-recorded their parts so fans wouldn’t miss out on the live feeling. It was a small detail that underscored his thoughtfulness.
Lighthearted Moments and Fan Love
The night wasn’t without playful charm. During “Boy,” Onew tossed paper airplanes into the crowd, bringing smiles and shrieks of delight. “Dice” had the crowd moving, while “Beat Drum” lit up with synchronized fan chants that echoed off the Orpheum’s walls. In “All Day,” fans took over part of the song, chanting with pride and unity.
The middle of the concert brought a pause for reflection. Onew told fans it was okay to sit and rest for the next section—recognizing the heat and energy spent. He shared a heartfelt message about the pursuit of happiness, acknowledging life’s trials and the importance of support systems. “You deserve to be happy,” he told the crowd, his voice emotional and kind. “Even I go through hard times. We all do. But we’re not alone.” He introduced the next song as a moment of healing—and asked fans to accept it in silence, cheering him on afterward if they connected with it.
A Surprise and a Singalong
When “Always” began, the room lit up with fans holding their phone flashlights behind rose cutouts, creating a field of glowing petals. The magic continued with “Illusion” and the emotional English-language release, “MAD.” Onew revealed that “MAD” had to be rushed for the tour—but seeing fans sing it word-for-word made it all worth it.
Thinking “Starry Night” would be too tough for the U.S. crowd, he’d removed it from the setlist—only to realize he was wrong. He sang it acappella with the audience, joking, “You sang the last line a little fast,” and then admitting he should’ve trusted them. He quickly sang a part of “MAD” however and saw the fans singing that one more confidently. “See?” he said with a smile.
Encore Shenanigans and Final Farewell
As the set wrapped up, fans weren’t ready to let go. Onew teased them, pretending to check his watch. “Time runs fast,” he sighed, to loud chants of hajima! (“Don’t go!”). He grinned, “It’s a secret, but there’s an encore. If you cheer, I’ll come back. And if you don’t cheer—I’ll still come back.”
He did, with a banger lineup: “In the Whale,” “Maestro,” “Yay”—closing with contagious energy as he danced and waved, feeding off the crowd’s cheers.
Then came “Hola!” where Onew left the stage to walk through the audience, giving out flowers. During “Conversation,” the energy softened again, setting up the final heartfelt moments of the show.
In his final ment, Onew thanked the crowd for giving him an unforgettable night. When he asked what was famous in LA, fans shouted everything from In-N-Out to Raising Cane’s. He declared Raising Cane’s the winner after a louder cheer, jokingly apologizing to the In-N-Out fans. “In Korea we say kimchi for photos,” he said. “In America, you say cheese. But in San Francisco, they told me to say ‘cheese’ and holding the note forever because of the Golden Gate Bridge. I was trying to find one for In-N-Out, and it sounded like… ‘che-e-se.’” Laughter erupted across the venue.
He walked the stage giving the audience a round of applause before launching into his final song, “Promise You.” As he sang, he threw out balls and the last of his paper airplanes—a full circle moment of connection, just like the name of the tour.
Onew’s LA stop was not just a concert—it was an experience woven with humor, healing, and heartfelt music. From deep personal messages to euphoric singalongs, Onew of SHINee proved why he remains one of K-pop’s most emotionally resonant performers. He was also funny and sarcastic in Korean and English which caused fans to laugh even more as they cheered him on. This finale wasn’t just the end of a tour—it was a promise kept to fans, a memory made, and a connection that won’t fade anytime soon.
