Soloist KINO brought his I think I think too much Tour to Chicago last Friday, and the fans at Bottom Lounge showed up ready to party. The singer made his original debut in the K-pop group Pentagon in 2016. He launched his solo career with his own label (NAKED) in early 2024, and has since released his debut EP If This Is Love, I Want a Refund. This run marks his first series of U.S. performances since Pentagon’s stateside tour in 2019, and follows the release of his newest single “Skyfall”. Both KINO and the crowd seemed overwhelmed with excitement to be seeing each other again, or for the first time.
The setlist consisted of picks from throughout the span of his career as both a soloist and a group member, including some tracks that have yet to be released. Each segment of the show reflected a different feeling conveyed by the song choices, and the audience was more than happy to go along for the ride. Moments like “Skyfall” and “Do I Deserve It” showed fans a more raw and emotional side to KINO, while “Freaky Love” gave the singer a chance to teach the crowd how to dance to the chorus. Fans were given the chance to hear his solo music as well as a few Pentagon tracks, and they sang along loudly to all of them. Each performance was amplified by his live drummer and guitarist, who he praised and brought attention to every chance he got.
Despite occasionally expressing his nervousness to the crowd, KINO put on a flawless show and his upbeat energy was infectious. On top of giving an excellent vocal performance, he kept the whole audience engaged from start to finish. It’s rare these days to see a crowd at a show where even the people recording on their phones are jumping and dancing, but he made it happen almost effortlessly. He was just as infatuated with the audience as they were with him. Several trips to the barricade to sing to (or spray water on) fans, as well as his vulnerability when describing the music he’s written, helped him connect with people while keeping them on their toes.
By the end of the show, it was evident that this tour has been a labor of love created by KINO and his team. On top of the more obvious work that went into making this all happen, he also told the crowd that he’d been putting in the hours to learn English so he could speak it fluently throughout the show (and he was successful). His appreciation for both his craft and his fans brought him back to the stage after several years, and the crowd was more than grateful for it. They kept up the high energy when necessary for tracks like “Pose” and “Cerberus”, while giving him the respect and attention needed when performing more heartfelt songs.
The love for KINO could be felt all throughout the room. His friendship with his band members and crew added a wholesome element to the show, and the fans in the audience promised to come back and see him on his next tour. Some even said they’d be seeing him again on this run. He was floored by the idea of someone driving five hours just to see him again in Columbus the next day, because several people said they were doing just that. KINO’s fans certainly already thought it was worth it to see his performance again, and after seeing the show he put on in Chicago it’s hard to disagree with them. It’s one thing to put on a solid performance, but creating an atmosphere that gets people moving and keeps them excited is a skill of its own. KINO has refined that talent and used it to create a one-of-a-kind experience for the fans that come to see him.
Check out KINO’s new single “Skyfall” here!